State rules
California
California does not run asbestos through a single statewide licensing board. The California Air Resources Board explains which air districts are delegated to enforce asbestos NESHAP and which counties still send the federal notification to U.S. EPA, with a copy that may also go to CARB. Worker credentials sit with Cal/OSHA’s Asbestos and Carcinogen Unit inside the Department of Industrial Relations. That unit registers removal contractors, certifies consultants and technicians, and approves AHERA training courses. EPA’s contact list points training questions to Cal/OSHA and demolition questions to the CARB location table. California is not an AHERA waiver state on EPA’s list of twelve.
Checked against official sources on October 11, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Who runs the asbestos program
- California Air Resources Board for NESHAP coordination; local air districts where delegated; Cal/OSHA for contractor registration
- Who must be licensed or accredited
- Cal/OSHA registers contractors and employers who remove more than 0.1 percent asbestos covering 100 square feet or more, and certifies consultants and technicians for sampling or oversight at that size.
- Official program page
- Official page →
- License lookup
- Official page →
CARB’s location page says a project in a non-delegated air district must follow the asbestos NESHAP and send the notification form to U.S. EPA Region 9 in San Francisco. A copy may also be emailed to asbestos@arb.ca.gov. CARB’s notification page says there is no fee for submitting that form to U.S. EPA. Non-delegated counties are named on that table and matched to their air districts. If the project is in a delegated district, that district has its own asbestos program and rules, and CARB tells you to contact the district.
Delegated districts on the same table include the Bay Area, San Joaquin Valley, South Coast, and many county districts. The practical effect is that the notice address depends on the county, not on a single Sacramento inbox. CARB is one of six boards, departments, and offices under the California Environmental Protection Agency, so it coordinates the air rule rather than issuing the contractor registration. Before you file, match the county to the delegated or non-delegated list. A city building permit does not replace the air-district or EPA notice.
Cal/OSHA requires registration for contractors and employers that remove asbestos with a fiber content of more than 0.1 percent when the job covers 100 square feet or more of surface area. Consultants and technicians who sample, or who plan and oversee removal of 100 square feet or more of asbestos-containing construction material, must be certified. Cal/OSHA also approves AHERA training courses. The Asbestos and Carcinogen Unit phone on that page is (916) 574-2993. Contractor registration email is ACRU@dir.ca.gov. Consultant, technician, and course-approval email is ACTU@dir.ca.gov. A public search lists Cal/OSHA-registered asbestos contractors and employers.
Official resources in California
Which counties notify U.S. EPA and which air districts run their own programs.
State coordination page for the federal asbestos NESHAP in California.
Contractor registration, consultant certification, and AHERA course approval.
Lookup of Cal/OSHA-registered asbestos contractors and employers.
Federal inspection and notification standard the districts enforce.
Key facts for California
- Projects in non-delegated California air districts send the asbestos notification to U.S. EPA, and a copy may go to CARB.
- CARB says there is no fee for submitting an asbestos notification form to U.S. EPA.
- Delegated air districts enforce their own asbestos programs, so the notice office depends on the county.
- Cal/OSHA registration is required to remove asbestos over 0.1 percent fiber content covering 100 square feet or more.
- Consultants and technicians need Cal/OSHA certification to sample or oversee removal of 100 square feet or more.
- The Cal/OSHA Asbestos and Carcinogen Unit phone published on its asbestos page is (916) 574-2993.
- California is not on EPA’s list of twelve AHERA waiver states.
What to do next
- Match the project county to CARB’s delegated and non-delegated table before you address the notice.
- If the district is delegated, follow that district’s rule rather than only the EPA form.
- Check the Cal/OSHA registrant search before you hire a removal contractor.
- Ask a sampler whether they hold Cal/OSHA consultant or technician certification for a job of 100 square feet or more.
Looking for your city or county in California?
We haven't found official program-level pages for California we can verify yet, so we don't show local numbers here rather than guess. Here's what to use instead, in order:
- General Start with the statewide information above. It applies across California, but cities and counties can add their own steps, fees or deadlines.
- Call to confirm Ask the official office. They have the current local rule, fee and form.Cal/OSHA Asbestos and Carcinogen Unit
Website →Phone: (916) 574-2993 (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 California page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us and include a link to the official page. We check every tip before it goes up.
Helpful guides
- What an asbestos inspection is
- NESHAP notification before demolition
- Asbestos rules for schools
- OSHA rules that protect asbestos workers