State guide
Texas
Texas runs its own EPA-authorized lead-based paint activities program through DSHS, but RRP is still administered by EPA rather than the state. On the official pages reviewed, I found state licensing for inspectors and risk assessors and local lead-hazard control programs in cities such as Fort Worth and Houston, but no statewide rental lead-safe certificate or city rental lead certificate requirement comparable to Maryland or Rochester.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- State lead program
- The Texas Department of State Health Services runs Texas's EPA-authorized lead-based paint activities program through its Environmental Lead Program.
- Rental lead-safe requirements
- I did not find an official Texas statewide rental lead-safe certificate, rental lead registration, or city rental lead certificate requirement on the official state and city pages reviewed; the city pages I found describe assistance/remediation programs instead.
- Certified lead inspector and risk assessor lookup
- Official page →
- Renovation (RRP) program
- EPA
- Disclosure
- Not published by an official source we could verify. Ask the office.
Official resources in Texas
Main DSHS page for Texas lead-based paint licensing, rules, and program information.
Official DSHS page pointing to the public license search for current environmental lead licensees.
State rules page explaining who must hold Texas lead certifications for inspections, risk assessments, and abatements.
City of Fort Worth page for its local lead hazard reduction assistance program for eligible homes, including some rentals.
Official DSHS directory listing local Texas lead programs, including Houston Health Department contacts.
Key facts for Texas
- The Texas Environmental Lead Reduction Rules have been in effect since February 19, 1996.
- Texas requires lead inspections in target housing or child-occupied facilities to be done only by a certified Lead Inspector or Lead Risk Assessor.
- Texas DSHS says a certified Lead Risk Assessor may perform lead-based paint inspections and all other certified Lead Inspector duties.
- Texas DSHS states RRP work in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities must be done by an EPA-certified Renovation Firm using a certified Renovator.
- Fort Worth's Lead-Safe Program says rental properties may be eligible, but owner participation and a local inspection/risk assessment are required.
- Houston's housing plans say the Houston Health Department manages a High-Impact Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Program and the city uses certified contractors for lead hazard work.
Local rental lead ordinances in Texas
| City | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas DSHS Environmental Lead Program | Not published* | 512-231-5792 | State licensing and technical contact for lead inspectors, risk assessors, firms, and related activities. |
| Texas DSHS Environmental Lead Program | Not published* | 1-800-293-0753 | Toll-free number listed by DSHS for certified inspector and risk assessor information. |
| Fort Worth Lead-Safe Program Tarrant | Fort Worth | Not published* | City program offering lead inspection, risk assessment, and hazard reduction assistance for eligible homes, including some rentals. |
| Houston Health Department Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program & Lead Based Paint Hazard Control Program Harris | Houston | 832-393-5141 | Local Houston lead program contact listed in the DSHS directory of local childhood lead programs. |
| Harris County Public Health Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention & Screening Harris | Houston | 713-274-8527 | County public health lead screening and prevention contact listed by DSHS. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- Use the DSHS lead licensee search before hiring an inspector or risk assessor, and verify the exact license type.
- For renovation in a pre-1978 Texas rental, separately confirm EPA RRP firm certification because Texas does not run RRP.
- If the property is in Fort Worth or Houston, check whether a local lead hazard reduction or childhood lead program can help with testing or remediation referrals.
Not seeing your city or county?
Not every city publishes its rules online. Try these, in order:
- General Start with the statewide information above.
- Closest verified Nearest places where we have verified local data outside this state (distance from Texas's population center, for comparison only):
- Oklahoma DEQ LBP Program, Oklahoma · about 325 miles
- EPA Region 6 Lead Line, Oklahoma · about 325 miles
- DEQ 24-hour Complaint Line, Oklahoma · about 325 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office.Texas DSHS Environmental Lead Program
Website →Phone: (512) 834-6787 (as listed on that page, checked Oct 4, 2026)Your city or county office: Local governments →Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Texas page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us with a link to the official page.