New Radon License Law Impacts Professionals
As we move through January and acknowledge National Radon Month and the health impacts of radon gas in the places we live and work, we should consider some significant changes in Minnesota that will strongly affect the industry and those hiring radon professionals.
Beginning January 1st 2019, persons who measure radon or install mitigation systems in the state of Minnesota must be licensed. The new law, which has been met with strong opposition by technicians and installers, will establish Minnesota as one of 17 states that regulate and require certification for performing radon services, (professionals that measure radon or install radon mitigation systems or perform radon lab analysis). The law will require technicians to maintain quality assurance programs, report data to the Minnesota Department of Health, maintain certified and calibrated equipment, keep records of all measurements and installations, and participate in continuing education each year they operate their business in Minnesota.
Technicians in Minnesota, many of who already maintain a national certification with the National Radon Proficiency Program, NRPP, argued that the state was duplicating credential requirements they already maintain with the national organization. While many professionals followed the credential requirements of NRPP, reporting and quality assurance were not routinely scrutinized even though equipment and educational credentials were monitored closely. The MDH also noted that there are numerous companys testing for radon and installing mitigation systems who have not been properly trained or certified. The new law requires professionals to maintain their personal and equipment credentials and submit a license fee each year to the Minnesota Department of Health as well as report quarterly data to the MDH radon office.
So then the question is; who is required to obtain a license?
Measurement professionals: an individual who places and retrieves a test device in buildings they do not own or lease.
Mitigation professionals: an individual who installs or designs a radon mitigation system in a building they do not own or lease, or provides on-site supervision of mitigation work.
Mitigation companies: a business or government entity that employs one or more licensed mitigation professional and performs or authorizes employees to perform radon mitigation.
Radon Analysis Laboratories: a business or government entity that analyzes passive radon test devices for the presence or concentration of radon.
One common factor among all of these occupations is these professionals do not own or lease the building they are testing or installing a system within. You cannot test for radon or install a radon mitigation system without a license unless your own or lease the building.
No license is required for the following:
Testing radon concentrations in a building that you own or lease
Installing a mitigation system in a building that you own or lease
Installing radon control systems in newly constructed homes, prior to a certificate of occupancy being issued
Providing radon testing devices or information for general education purposes
A building official or that person’s designee
Hardware stores that sell test kits
Mitigation technicians if they are supervised on-site by a licensed radon professional
Measurement professionals must complete an initial measurement radon training course approved by MDH and pass the exam. Mitigation professionals must complete the initial measurement course and the initial mitigation course and pass exams for both courses. Courses can be taken in-person or online. License applicants must submit proof they have completed the initial training(s) and passed the exam(s) when they apply.
More specific licensing information:
Licensing for Radon Measurement Professionals http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/indoorair/radon/measurementprof.html
Licensing for Radon Mitigation Professionals
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/indoorair/radon/mitigationprof.html
Licensing for Radon Mitigation Company and Sole Proprietor
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/indoorair/radon/mitigationcomp.html
List of NRPP certified Radon Measurement Technicians in Minnesota
Paul Schollmeier is a NRPP certified radon measurement technician working in the Winona area since 2014. He was recently licensed by the MDH in November of 2018.
As we move through January and acknowledge National Radon Month and the health impacts of radon gas in the places we live and work, we should consider some significant changes in Minnesota that will strongly affect the industry and those hiring radon professionals.
Beginning January 1st 2019, persons who measure radon or install mitigation systems in the state of Minnesota must be licensed. The new law, which has been met with strong opposition by technicians and installers, will establish Minnesota as one of 17 states that regulate and require certification for performing radon services, (professionals that measure radon or install radon mitigation systems or perform radon lab analysis). The law will require technicians to maintain quality assurance programs, report data to the Minnesota Department of Health, maintain certified and calibrated equipment, keep records of all measurements and installations, and participate in continuing education each year they operate their business in Minnesota.
Technicians in Minnesota, many of who already maintain a national certification with the National Radon Proficiency Program, NRPP, argued that the state was duplicating credential requirements they already maintain with the national organization. While many professionals followed the credential requirements of NRPP, reporting and quality assurance were not routinely scrutinized even though equipment and educational credentials were monitored closely. The MDH also noted that there are numerous companys testing for radon and installing mitigation systems who have not been properly trained or certified. The new law requires professionals to maintain their personal and equipment credentials and submit a license fee each year to the Minnesota Department of Health as well as report quarterly data to the MDH radon office.
So then the question is; who is required to obtain a license?
Measurement professionals: an individual who places and retrieves a test device in buildings they do not own or lease.
Mitigation professionals: an individual who installs or designs a radon mitigation system in a building they do not own or lease, or provides on-site supervision of mitigation work.
Mitigation companies: a business or government entity that employs one or more licensed mitigation professional and performs or authorizes employees to perform radon mitigation.
Radon Analysis Laboratories: a business or government entity that analyzes passive radon test devices for the presence or concentration of radon.
One common factor among all of these occupations is these professionals do not own or lease the building they are testing or installing a system within. You cannot test for radon or install a radon mitigation system without a license unless your own or lease the building.
No license is required for the following:
Testing radon concentrations in a building that you own or lease
Installing a mitigation system in a building that you own or lease
Installing radon control systems in newly constructed homes, prior to a certificate of occupancy being issued
Providing radon testing devices or information for general education purposes
A building official or that person’s designee
Hardware stores that sell test kits
Mitigation technicians if they are supervised on-site by a licensed radon professional
Measurement professionals must complete an initial measurement radon training course approved by MDH and pass the exam. Mitigation professionals must complete the initial measurement course and the initial mitigation course and pass exams for both courses. Courses can be taken in-person or online. License applicants must submit proof they have completed the initial training(s) and passed the exam(s) when they apply.
More specific licensing information:
Licensing for Radon Measurement Professionals http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/indoorair/radon/measurementprof.html
Licensing for Radon Mitigation Professionals
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/indoorair/radon/mitigationprof.html
Licensing for Radon Mitigation Company and Sole Proprietor
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/indoorair/radon/mitigationcomp.html
List of NRPP certified Radon Measurement Technicians in Minnesota
Paul Schollmeier is a NRPP certified radon measurement technician working in the Winona area since 2014. He was recently licensed by the MDH in November of 2018.
