Asbestos Investigator Certification

An asbestos investigator checks buildings for asbestos-containing materials (ACM) and conducts hazard assessments for ACM. To do this job, you need a special certificate and experience or technical training.

You cannot do this job without a certificate from the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). You also need training from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH).

Certification requirements

To get the Asbestos Investigator Certification, you need:

• An Inspector Certificate from NYSDOL.
• Two years of work experience checking buildings for ACM.
• Three years of other work experience related to building surveys.

If you do not have enough experience, you can substitute technical college education or professional registration instead.

Certificate details

• NYSDOL and DEP give out the certificates in the form of photo ID cards.
• The initial DEP certificate lasts for two to three years, depending on your birthday.
• The NYSDOL certificate lasts for one year.

• Qualifications: You need to:

  • Be a professional engineer, registered architect, certified industrial hygienist or certified safety professional.
  • Have a degree in architecture, engineering, environmental science, environmental health science, occupational health and safety, industrial hygiene, or a related field.
  • Have an associate's degree in the above areas with work experience.
  • Have specific work experience in building surveys or hazardous assessments.

• Training course

  • Pick a course from the list of Accredited NYS Asbestos Training Providers.
  • Sign up for and finish the course.
  • After the course, you will get a New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) Certificate of Asbestos Safety Training for Restricted Asbestos Handler-III Inspectors.
  • Send this certificate with your application.

• Medical exams

  • You need a lung function test, chest X-rays and a respirator fitness test.

• Identification

  • Provide a New York State driver's license, non-driver ID card or the FS-6T receipt.
  • For other IDs, check the Request for Photo Image from DMV.

• Social Security card

  • Provide your Social Security card.

• Asbestos license

  • Provide your current New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL)- and NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)-issued asbestos license(s) or certificate(s).

• Photos

  • Send two identical passport-type color photos with a white background.

• Age requirement

  • You must be at least 21 years old.

• Application fee

  • The fee is $250.

• Payment methods

  • Personal check (payable to DEP)
  • Money order (payable to DEP)

• Download application: Download and print the Asbestos Investigator Application.
• Submit application: Submit the application with all required documents to DEP via mail or in-person delivery.
• Wait for notification: You will be notified via mail about the time and place for the certification exam. If you do not get confirmation within three weeks, call DEP at 718-595-3693 or 718-595-3695.
• Bring ID to exam: Bring a photo ID card and the appointment letter to the certification exam.