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December 20, 2012

CSLB #12-10

Asbestos Work Must Be Performed within License Classification

Asbestos certification does not authorize universal removal/abatement

Contractors who want to become certified to perform asbestos removal and/or abatement must be tested by CSLB and also register with the Department of Industrial Relations’ Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH). Once registered, you must submit verification of the DOSH registration to CSLB, and “ASB” (asbestos) will appear on your license to indicate that asbestos removal/abatement can be performed within your classification.

A recent legal opinion from the Department of Consumer Affairs confirmed that asbestos certification is intended only to certify a licensed contractor’s ability to perform asbestos work exclusively within his/her license classification(s).

This conclusion is based largely on the fact that the asbestos abatement certificate does not require the qualifier to have four years of experience in the field for which licensure is sought, the standard requirement for CSLB licensure. Asbestos certification by itself is not a CSLB license classification.

For more information on this topic, please see the legal opinion to conduct asbestos-related contracting work (also located on pages 125 to 130 in the December 11, 2012 CSLB Board Meeting packet).

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