Filling out the EPA's Firm Application for Lead Renovation through CDX

As we take more and more calls in our office pertaining to the EPA's Firm Application for Lead Renovations, we have come to realize that the steps to complete this process online may not be clear to everyone in the field. Therefore, we have taken the time to list these steps out below so you may speed up the processing time of your application, which is essential to EPA RRP compliance.

When sending the Firm Application in as a hard copy, it can take EPA up to 90 days to process and return it to you. However, when using the EPA's Central Data Exchange (CDX), you can speed this process up significantly - we have heard of contractors getting their applications back in as little as 2 weeks! The only caveat involved with using this system is that while you may access it through any computer, you will only be able to submit and sign the application online when using a PC. The CDX system will unfortunately not work properly on a Macintosh.

So if you are working with a PC, simply follow the steps below to save yourself time - and also so you do not lose any business waiting for an application in process!
  1. Go to: https://cdx.epa.gov/
  2. Click on the green 'Register with CDX' button below the log-in area on the home page.
  3. Agree to the terms & conditions and click 'Proceed'
  4. This will take you to the "Core CDX Registration" Process 
    1. Step 1 (Request Program Service) - Choose 'LEAD: Lead-Based Paint Program'
    2. Step 2 (Request Role Access) - Choose from the dropdown 'Firm Certification Application'
    3. Step 3 (Provide User and Organization Information) - Part 1 is setting up the log-in information for the user (password, username, security questions), Part 2 is either searching for and picking your company's profile on CDX, or, asking them to create one for you.
    4. Step 4 (Confirmation) - Confirm all information that was entered is correct and finish the registration process (this is typically done through a confirmation email that is sent to the address you put down in Step 3)
  5. If you or your company was not registered in CDX previously you will have to verify your identity for the EPA before being able to log-in to your account.
    1. This can be done in one of two ways - Either by filling out a paper form and sending it to the EPA (in Fairfax, VA) or by using the service provided by LexisNexis to confirm your identity online. Both of these options are given when you click the confirmation link that is emailed to you (mentioned above in Number 4, Part D)
  6. Once access is set up and confirmed you will log-in to CDX, fill out the firm application and make the payment for your firm.
If you have any questions at all about this process, please don't hesitate to call our office at 1-800-355-1751 and we will do our best to walk you through any issues you may have!