by Todd Woerner, CSP, CHMM
Vice President
Keeping asbestos professionals properly trained and certified is essential to maintaining compliance and ensuring worker and public safety. Yet, busy schedules, project demands and travel logistics can make it difficult to attend in-person refresher courses each year.
Many States are recognizing how Virtual, Instructor-Led Training (VILT) has become an increasingly popular solution—offering the same quality instruction and regulatory compliance as traditional classroom sessions, with added flexibility and convenience.
Below are some key benefits of attending asbestos refresher courses through a VILT format:
1. Meets Regulatory Requirements
Asbestos refresher training must comply with strict EPA, OSHA and State-specific requirements. VILT courses—when properly designed and approved—meet these standards, ensuring participants receive legitimate certification that satisfies annual refresher obligations. Attendees can confidently renew credentials without the need for travel or in-person attendance.
2. Live Instruction from Experienced EH&S Professionals
VILT is not a pre-recorded video. Participants interact in real time, on camera, with approved/certified asbestos instructors who bring decades of field experience to each session. This live interaction allows students to ask site-specific questions, share experiences and clarify complex regulatory updates—just as they would in a traditional classroom. Even exams are proctored visually as they are in the classroom.
3. Convenient and Time-Efficient
For professionals balancing multiple job sites and client responsibilities, the flexibility of attending a refresher course from home or the office is invaluable. There’s no need to travel or spend additional time away from work. Logging in from a computer or tablet keeps the process efficient while maintaining full participation and accountability.
4. Interactive and Engaging Learning Experience
Modern VILT platforms use digital tools—such as screen-sharing, polls and desktop exercises to keep participants actively engaged. Instructors incorporate case studies, inspection scenarios and real-world examples that reinforce critical concepts like containment procedures, air monitoring and regulatory updates.
Current states accepting AMA/EI virtual asbestos refresher training are AZ, DE, HI, ID, KY, ME, MD, MI, NV, OH, PA, RI, SD, UT, VA, WV, WY, and DC.
5. Expanding the Value of VILT
The benefits of Virtual, Instructor-Led Training extend far beyond asbestos refreshers. This training model is equally effective for a wide range of health and safety courses, including OSHA compliance programs such as HAZCOM, respiratory protection, confined space awareness, lead awareness, DOT hazmat employee, RCRA and other EH&S topics. VILT provides a consistent, engaging and efficient way to deliver high-quality training across your organization.
Final Thoughts
With live instruction, interactive discussions and regulatory credibility, VILT combines the effectiveness of classroom learning with the flexibility of the digital age. For busy EH&S professionals, it’s a modern approach that keeps safety, compliance and quality front and center.
How We Can Help
At The EI Group and along with our newest acquisition, AMA, our certified instructors deliver interactive, compliant and engaging Virtual, Instructor-Led Training programs designed to meet your Asbestos and OSHA training needs. Visit www.amatraining.com or contact us at (410) 684-3327or email info@amaconsulting.com to learn more about upcoming asbestos refresher courses and other virtual training opportunities.