Lead-safe certification in Philadelphia, explained and handled.
Renting out a property built before 1978? You need a lead-safe certificate. We do the dust wipe test, the lab confirms it, and you get a certificate the City accepts, plus clear instructions for every step after. Run by Jay Caddle, EPA Certified Firm NAT-F243427-1.
Lead-safe certificates in Philadelphia: the short version
What it is
Proof that dust wipes from a unit’s floors and windowsills tested below the EPA limits: 5 µg/ft² on floors and 40 on windowsills since 2026. Only a certified professional can take the samples, so you can’t self-certify. A lead-free certificate is different: it needs a full lead paint inspection.
Who needs one
Every Philadelphia rental built before 1978, for a new lease, a lease renewal and the rental license, whether or not children live there. Each unit needs its own. The only exemptions: buildings built after February 1978 (with proof) and housing reserved for a school’s students.
How the test works
One visit, usually under an hour: a floor wipe and a windowsill wipe in each bedroom and one common room, analyzed by an accredited lab. Results in about 6–10 business days, or as soon as the next business day with rush.
How long it lasts
Four years in Philadelphia, three in Norristown. We text you before yours runs out, so you can re-test in time.
What it costs to get: the price depends on bedrooms, how many units we test in one visit, and how fast you need results. See your exact price in about a minute, or read what decides the cost.
Your path to a certificate
- 01
Book online
Instant price, pick your days, pay your way. About two minutes.
- 02
Visit
Dust wipes from windowsills and floors. Usually under an hour.
- 03
Lab
Samples ship to an accredited lab. Your quote shows the date range for your results.
- 04
Certified
Certificate, lab report and portal instructions. If a spot fails, we tell you how to fix it, and re-tests are 20% off.
Track your job live Coming soon
Every client gets a private status page, plus a text and an email each time the job moves forward. No more wondering where your results are.
Landlord guides
All guides →How to upload your certificate to Philadelphia’s portal
New rules2026 dust limits: what changed and why units fail
ChecklistPrep checklist: pass your lead dust test the first time
The lawDo I need a lead-safe certificate? The pre-1978 rule
Montgomery CountyNorristown rental lead requirements
DaycaresLead-safe requirements for child-care facilities
We remember your renewal, so you don’t have to
Philadelphia lead-safe certificates are good for four years. We text you before yours expires, and you can book the re-test in one reply.
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Ready when your lease is
Instant quote with an honest date for your results, and rush lab speeds when a lease is close.
Get my instant quoteNeed XRF, lead-free or a risk assessment?
We do dust-wipe testing for lead-safe certificates. For full lead paint inspections and risk assessments we work with Viva Environmental, Health & Safety.
See what Viva EHS offers →Common questions
What is a lead-safe certificate?
A lead-safe certificate shows that dust wipe samples from a property’s floors and windowsills came back below the EPA dust-lead limits, so there is no lead dust hazard right now. A certified professional takes the samples and an accredited lab analyzes them.
Who needs a lead-safe certificate in Philadelphia?
Landlords renting a property built before 1978 must give tenants a lead-safe or lead-free certificate and file it with the City, for a new lease, a lease renewal and the rental license. See Do I need a lead-safe certificate?
How long does a lead-safe certificate last?
In Philadelphia a lead-safe certificate is valid for four years (certificates completed since February 1, 2020). We remind you before it expires.
How much does lead-safe certification cost?
It depends on the number of bedrooms, how many units we test in one visit and how fast you need results. The instant quote shows your exact price in about a minute, and the cost guide explains what drives it.
How fast are results?
Samples travel to the lab in Michigan first, so results depend on shipping plus lab speed. With standard USPS shipping and standard lab time, expect about 6–10 business days after the visit; UPS Next Day Air and rush lab speeds bring it down to as soon as the next business day. Weekends and holidays don’t count, and your quote shows the date range for your visit.