Finding a certified radon professional in Massachusetts
The state doesn't license radon contractors, so the certification you're looking for is national. Here's where to look it up and what to ask.
Massachusetts doesn’t license radon work
This surprises a lot of people. The Commonwealth doesn’t certify radon testers or mitigators itself. Instead, the Department of Public Health recommends hiring someone certified by one of two national programs:
- The National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP), run through AARST. You can search it at aarst-nrpp.com.
- The National Radon Safety Board (NRSB), at nrsb.org.
DPH also publishes its own list of nationally certified radon mitigation professionals in Massachusetts, updated regularly. It’s the easiest place to start.
Certification belongs to a person
DPH’s list makes a point worth repeating. The certification is held by the professional, not the business. A company can put “certified” on its truck while the person who shows up at your house isn’t.
So ask which person on the job holds the certification, and look that name up. Mitigation work should be done by the certified professional or directly overseen by them.
Other states do it differently
Some states run their own programs. Pennsylvania, for example, requires radon testers and mitigators to be certified by its Department of Environmental Protection, and homeowners there check a state list instead of a national one. If you’re comparing advice you’ve read online, it helps to know which state’s rules a source is following. York PA Radon Pros explains how the Pennsylvania side works for homeowners in York County.
Here in Massachusetts, stick with NRPP or NRSB and the DPH list.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Who holds the certification, and can I see the number?
- Will you run a diagnostic test under the slab before picking the suction point?
- Where will the fan go, and where will the pipe discharge?
- What sealing is included?
- Who handles the electrical for the fan?
- Is a post-mitigation test included, and who runs it?
- What warranty comes with the fan and the system, in writing?
Get the answers in the written quote. Two quotes are better than one.
Still have questions?
The DPH Radon Information Line is toll-free inside Massachusetts at (800) 723-6695, weekdays. The state’s radon program page also has guidance for homes, schools, and new construction.
If you haven’t tested yet, start with our radon testing guide. If the number’s already in, read what a mitigation system involves so you know what the installer is proposing. On a private well, see radon in water. Or go back to the Mansfield radon guide.
Hiring questions
Is NRPP better than NRSB?
Massachusetts DPH treats them the same. A professional only needs certification from one of the two.
The company says it's certified. Is that enough?
Ask which person holds the certification. DPH notes that certification belongs to the individual, not the business, and mitigation must be done or overseen by that certified person.
Can a home inspector do my radon test?
Many inspectors offer it. Check that the person placing the test holds a current measurement certification from NRPP or NRSB.
- We don't sell tests or install systems
- Every figure links to its source
- Built on Massachusetts DPH and EPA guidance