Frequently Asked Questions: Asbestos Certifications - Who can do what with regards to Asbestos in California?

California Asbestos Work

Who is legally allowed to identify asbestos in California?
Only a Certified Asbestos Consultant (CAC) or Site Surveillance Technician (CSST) working under a CAC can perform asbestos surveys, bulk sampling, hazard assessments, and asbestos management planning.
A CIH alone is *not* legally permitted to perform these services unless they also hold a CAC.


Can any contractor remove asbestos?
No. Asbestos abatement in California can only be performed by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor (Contractor State License Board classification: C 22).
General contractors, handymen, or unlicensed workers cannot legally disturb asbestos containing materials. Often Contractors claim that there is a one hundred square foot exception to the rules. That is correct, but it is an exception to only the need for an ACRU registered contractor. All the other requirements, AHERA Training for all workers and supervisors, negative air, HEPA vacuums and air monitoring are still required.


When is a CAC required?
A CAC is required for:

• Asbestos surveys before renovation or demolition
• Project design and abatement specifications
• On site oversight during abatement
• Clearance inspections and air testing
• Asbestos management plans

If asbestos is present or suspected, a CAC must be involved before any disturbance occurs.

What happens if a CAC is not present during removal?
If abatement occurs without a CAC:

• The project is out of compliance with Cal/OSHA and AQMD rules
• The contractor may be cited or shut down
• The building owner can be held jointly liable
• Clearance testing may be invalid
• The project may need to be redone, including re cleaning and re testing

California regulators treat missing oversight as a serious violation.

What if no air monitoring is performed during removal?
Air monitoring is required to:

• Protect workers
• Protect building occupants and neighbors
• Document that the containment is functioning
• Provide legal proof the project was performed safely

Without air monitoring:

• The project may be deemed unsafe
• Regulators can issue fines
• The building owner may face liability for exposure
• Clearance cannot be legally established

Skipping air monitoring is one of the most common — and most costly — mistakes.


What could happen to a building owner if asbestos work is done incorrectly?
Consequences can include:

• Regulatory fines from Cal/OSHA, AQMD, or CARB
• Stop work orders
• Liability for worker or occupant exposure
• Increased cleanup costs
• Difficulty selling or leasing the property
• Insurance complications
• Lawsuits

California law holds building owners responsible for ensuring asbestos work is done correctly — even if a contractor makes the mistake.

Why do asbestos workers need special training?
Asbestos exposure can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.
Workers must complete:

• AHERA/Cal OSHA accredited training
• Annual refreshers
• Medical evaluations
• Fit testing for respirators

This training ensures workers know how to set up containment, use PPE, handle waste, and prevent fiber release.


What licensing is required for asbestos abatement?
In California, asbestos abatement requires:

• A C 22 Asbestos Abatement Contractor License
• Registration with Cal/OSHA as an asbestos abatement contractor
• Trained and certified workers (AHERA/Cal OSHA)
• Oversight by a CAC

This combination ensures both the contractor and the consultant meet legal requirements.
Verify if a contractor is properly licensed here:
Cal/OSHA - Asbestos Registrants Database


Are there prohibitions on financial relationships between CACs and contractors?
Yes.California law explicitly prohibits asbestos consultants from having any financial or proprietary interest in the asbestos abatement contractor working on the same project. Under Business & Professions Code §7187, an asbestos consultant or site surveillance technician “shall not have any financial or proprietary interest in an asbestos abatement contractor hired for the same project.” This means a Certified Asbestos Consultant cannot be employed by the contractor, cannot receive referral fees or incentives, and cannot hold ownership or other financial ties to the abatement firm. The Legislature’s stated intent is to ensure that consultant services — including project design, air monitoring, and clearance testing — are performed with independent professional judgment, free from contractor influence. This protects building owners by ensuring that the consultant’s recommendations and oversight remain unbiased and solely focused on safety and regulatory compliance.


Why does California prohibit these relationships?

Because the CAC is responsible for:

• Asbestos surveys
• Project design
• Air monitoring
• Clearance testing

If the consultant had a financial tie to the contractor, they could be incentivized to:

• Over‑call asbestos to generate more abatement work
• Under‑call asbestos to reduce contractor costs
• Approve inadequate containment
• Pass clearance testing that should fail

California’s rules are designed to prevent exactly these scenarios.

What happens if a CAC violates this rule?

DIR/DOSH may impose:

• Revocation or suspension of the CAC’s certification
• Administrative penalties
• Project shutdowns
• Liability exposure for the building owner
• Invalidation of clearance results

A building owner who unknowingly hires a conflicted consultant can still be held jointly responsible.

How can a building owner verify a CAC’s credentials?

California provides a public lookup tool:
Verify a CAC or CSST in the DIR Database

The database shows:

• Certification status
• Expiration date
• Any enforcement actions
• Whether the consultant is in good standing

This is the only official way to confirm a consultant is legally allowed to perform asbestos work in California.