New regulations from the Minnesota Department of Health require contractors who are renovating properties built prior to 1978 to have a Renovators Remodelers Certification.   This ensures the contractors have been trained to follow the correct procedures for abatement of lead-based paint.  Contractors should either obtain a lead test to determine if the components involved in the renovation have lead, or they need to assume there is lead and follow all necessary procedures.  Contractors will also be required to perform a lead clearance once the lead abatement has been completed.