How often must a school be reinspected for asbestos?

At least once every 3 years after a management plan is in effect, by an accredited inspector (40 CFR 763.85(b)).

What is periodic surveillance?

A visual inspection of all areas identified as ACBM or assumed ACBM, at least once every 6 months, with the date, name and any changes in condition recorded (763.92(b)).

When must new custodians be trained?

Within 60 days after they start work, with at least 2 hours of awareness training (763.92(a)(1)).

Who must be told about reinspections?

Workers and building occupants, or their legal guardians, at least once each school year (763.84(c)).

US · Expiry & renewal tracking

Keep every school building's asbestos reinspection on time

A local education agency must have an accredited inspector reinspect all known or assumed asbestos-containing material in each school building at least every 3 years (40 CFR 763.85(b)). Visual periodic surveillance is also due at least every 6 months (763.92(b)), with records kept in the management plan.

EPA's asbestos rule for schools, 40 CFR part 763 subpart E, requires local education agencies to identify friable and nonfriable asbestos-containing material in public and private elementary and secondary schools and to manage it under a management plan (40 CFR 763.80). A local education agency includes the owner of a nonpublic, nonprofit elementary or secondary school building (763.83).

At least once every 3 years after a management plan is in effect, the local education agency must reinspect all friable and nonfriable known or assumed asbestos-containing building material (ACBM) in each school building it leases, owns or otherwise uses. The reinspection is made by an accredited inspector, who reassesses friable material, touches previously nonfriable material to check whether it has become friable, and records the results. The record goes to the agency's designated person within 30 days, for the management plan (763.85(b)).

In addition, at least once every 6 months after a management plan is in effect, the agency must carry out periodic surveillance in each school building that contains or is assumed to contain ACBM. The person doing it visually inspects all areas identified as ACBM, records the date, their name and any changes in condition, and sends the record to the designated person (763.92(b)).

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At a glance

Rule	40 CFR part 763 subpart E (EPA, AHERA)
Reinspection	At least once every 3 years, by an accredited inspector
Periodic surveillance	At least once every 6 months
Reinspection record	To the designated person within 30 days
Awareness training	At least 2 hours for maintenance and custodial staff; new staff within 60 days
Disturbing ACBM	14 hours of additional training
Annual notice	Workers and occupants informed at least once each school year

EPA may waive some or all of subpart E for a State that runs an asbestos program at least as stringent; until a waiver is granted, all requirements apply (763.98(a)).

Who is responsible?

The local education agency. It must designate a person to make sure the requirements are carried out, and that person must receive adequate training (763.84(g)).

Custodial and maintenance staff training

Before the operations and maintenance provisions of the plan are put in place, all maintenance and custodial staff who may work in a building with ACBM must receive at least 2 hours of awareness training, whether or not they work with ACBM. New custodial and maintenance employees must be trained within 60 days after starting work. Staff whose work will disturb ACBM need 14 hours of additional training (763.92(a)). For each person trained, the agency records the name, job title, completion date, location and hours (763.94(c)).

Tracking it with ExpirySuite

Add each school building and record the date its next reinspection is due: no more than 3 years after the last one.
Add a second record per building for periodic surveillance, due 6 months after the last one.
For new custodial or maintenance staff, add the awareness training with a due date 60 days after their start date.
Reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before the due date and on the due date itself.
Assign a responsible person (for example the agency's designated person) so the right person gets the reminder.
If a date passes, managers get overdue reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
Ask the accredited inspector to upload the reinspection record through a secure upload link, valid for 14 days; no account is needed.

Frequently asked questions

How often must a school be reinspected for asbestos?: At least once every 3 years after a management plan is in effect, by an accredited inspector (40 CFR 763.85(b)).
What is periodic surveillance?: A visual inspection of all areas identified as ACBM or assumed ACBM, at least once every 6 months, with the date, name and any changes in condition recorded (763.92(b)).
When must new custodians be trained?: Within 60 days after they start work, with at least 2 hours of awareness training (763.92(a)(1)).
Who must be told about reinspections?: Workers and building occupants, or their legal guardians, at least once each school year (763.84(c)).

Sources

Last checked: Oct 1, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.

Made for school asbestos reinspection (EPA AHERA) (US)

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Reminders on time

Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each school asbestos reinspection (EPA AHERA) (US) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.

Assign an owner

Give each school asbestos reinspection (EPA AHERA) (US) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.