Who can perform clearance examinations?

• A. Only licensed abatement contractors.
• B. A lead risk assessor, lead inspector, or clearance technician.
• C. Any maintenance worker.
• D. Property owner.

Answer: (B)

Clearance examinations are the post-work check to verify that lead dust levels meet allowable limits after abatement or renovation. They must be performed by credentialed professionals with lead-related assessment training: a certified lead inspector, certified lead risk assessor, or a certified clearance technician. These specialists use standardized sampling methods (wipe sampling on predefined surfaces and, when required, air monitoring), analyze the samples, and determine whether results meet regulatory clearance. They also document findings and ensure the testing is independent of the work crew. Maintenance workers and property owners typically do not have the required certifications or independence to perform or certify clearance, while the abatement crew performs the work rather than the clearance testing. This is why the qualified professionals are the ones who can properly conduct a clearance examination.