Navigate hazardous materials certification, maximize opportunities and maintain compliance.
Qualified environmental safety professionals are in high-demand. If you’re already in the industry, you know that it pays to be prepared for the chance of discovering hazardous materials like lead or asbestos on the job, especially in renovation and construction projects. The skills and certification to handle these prevalent, dangerous materials are more valuable than ever.
Industry Outlook
Opportunity in environmental safety, containment and abatement is on an upward trajectory. Asbestos-containing materials are found in roughly one in five buildings in the U.S., and the United States Environmental Protection Agency only recently finalized a ban on the ongoing use of all forms of the toxic mineral. The EPA also lowered lead screening levels earlier this year for soil at residential properties. These stricter rules will safeguard Americans against the dangers of lead and asbestos and increase the need for qualified abatement professionals.
The $111 billion environmental remediation market, meanwhile, is expected to grow by seven percent this decade, reaching $219 billion in 2023.
Environmental Regulation
Hazardous materials are also subject to a patchwork of state and federal regulations, making it difficult for independent contractors to navigate what can be a very fulfilling career. With courses approved in multiple states, BetterCertify helps professionals cut through the red tape and make the most of the extensive career opportunities in construction and environmental safety.
Multi-state approvals are central to the value of your training and certification. Let’s dive into the steps to a successful career in the identification, containment, abatement and disposal of hazardous materials.
Getting Started in Compliance-Based Trades
In order to handle regulated materials on the job, professional contractors must be certified in their state. Roles requiring this type of certification include asbestos abatement worker, asbestos supervisor, air monitoring specialist, building inspector, project designer, lead abatement worker, lead inspector and lead risk assessor, just to name a few. Initial training courses are generally completed in two to five days. Annual refresher courses are four to eight hours.
After completing an approved training course, professionals can be certified by their state. The key is to start with training that meets all regulations in your state–or any state in which you plan on working. If your training is only approved by a single agency, variations between states can limit long-term growth and mobility.
Multi-State Approvals
What does it mean to be approved in multiple states? It means training has been developed according to a broad range of standards and a deep understanding of the complex regulatory landscape. Unlike competitors offering training in a singular state, the BetterCertify curriculum has been thoroughly reviewed and approved by several regulatory agencies before it is available to the public. Multi-state approvals add credibility and longevity to your environmental hazard certification.
Achieving and maintaining certification in multiple states indicates that a training provider has gone above and beyond to develop courses that meet the highest, most comprehensive standards, setting graduates up for success in the field.
BetterCertify’s online and live-remote courses are valid in more locations than any other provider, and we’re continually forging relationships with regulatory agencies, improving our courses, and investing in the value of each of the certificates we issue.
Navigate Environmental Compliance by State
You can find approved trainers through your state, but because regulating agencies may vary it can be a challenge to find the right resource. Asbestos, for example, is regulated by the Department of Public Health & Environment in Colorado, the Department of Business & Professional Regulation in Florida, and the Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity in Michigan. The EPA also licenses certain courses at the federal level.
A better way to find state-approved environmental compliance training is through a trusted training provider. All BetterCertify approvals and licenses are documented on our website, and state-by-state validity is listed for every one of our courses. Plus, our new certificate validity navigation tool allows students and professionals to seek out courses that are approved for their state. You can also select multiple states to find courses that are valid in all states where you plan to work.
Before enrolling, always check the “Valid in” list to make sure a course is right for you.
Sample Career Path
What could this look like for you? Consider the following sample career path to see how you might navigate this path to opportunity.
- You live in Colorado and you’re ready to make a change. You’re open to moving and traveling for work opportunities.
- According to Talent.com, asbestos building inspectors earn an average of $70k per year! (Did you know Massachusetts is the state with the highest average salary?)
- First, get certified with a three-day initial Asbestos Building Inspector course, live-classroom in Denver.
- Let BetterCertify know you’d like to be certified everywhere the course is valid, including Massachusetts.
- Create your BetterCertify alumni profile to manage your certifications and provide a public platform to help you connect with jobs.
- Stay certified! Asbestos training must be refreshed every year. Lucky for you, BetterCertify offers a four-hour live-remote Asbestos Building Inspector refresher course that you can complete from anywhere (and also happens to be approved in Massachusetts).
Chart your Course with the Best Hazardous Materials Certification
No matter where you’re starting or what your goals are, training is an investment in time and money. Selecting classes that are approved in multiple states makes that investment go further–future-proofing your career prospects, ensuring quality, and opening doors to work throughout your region (or across the country).