Radon Certification

The Radon Certification Act requires DEP to establish by regulation, a certification program for persons conducting radon gas and radon progeny testing, laboratory analysis and mitigation of radon contamination in buildings. Pursuant to the act, DEP promulgated radon certification regulations in Title 25 of the Pennsylvania Code Chapter 240.

The primary purpose of the Radon Certification Act and the subsequent Chapter 240 Radon Certification regulations is to protect the health and safety of the public and to protect the public from unqualified or unscrupulous persons.

There are three general types of radon activities. Each type of activity requires separate certification.

The ANSI/AARST Radon Standards are available to be viewed at this link.

1. Testing
   • Radon-in-air testing
   • Radon testing certification is required for any of the following:
     • Placing and retrieving of any radon testing device.
     • The analysis of the tester's own continuous monitors.
     • The analysis of the tester's own electret ion chambers that only he places and/or retrieves.

   The DEP does not certify, but only lists persons providing radon in water testing and laboratory analysis for the public.

2. Radon Mitigation
   • This type of certification is required for any person who repairs or alters a building or building design for the purpose of, in whole or in part, reducing the concentration of radon in the indoor atmosphere.
3. Radon Laboratory
   • This type of certification is required for any person who analyzes active or passive radon devices received from the public or certified testers.

Each of the three types of activities described above is further divided into two categories of certification: individual and firm.

Individual Certification

No one except the certified individual may perform a radon-related activity under an individual certification. Radon certification as an "individual" results in only the given name of the individual being listed on the certificate and in the department's Radon Services Directory.

Firm Certification

A firm must employ at least one certified individual who is certified for the appropriate radon-related activity and who is responsible for the radon-related activity for that firm. In addition to the certified individual, other employees of the firm may, upon receipt of written approval from the DEP, perform the activities for which the firm is certified. Certification as a "firm" results in the firm name being listed on the certificate and in the department's Radon Services Directory.