I just received the attached email from the Ohio Association of Radon Professionals (OARP) concerning the State of Ohio’s proposed 2027 fee for radon testers.
The current fee is $400 every two years. Under the proposed fee schedule, beginning in 2027, the fee would increase to $1,100—nearly three times the current fee.
The attached email contains additional information regarding the proposed fee increase.
Please review the attachment for more details.
Propose Radon Fees.pdf (680.1 KB)
WOW I think $400.00 for licensing is total HS! Did the Gubberment licensing agency explain why they want such a ridiculous increase?
From their FAQ: 17.
Why did the Agency determine that the regulatory intent justifies the adverse impact to
the regulated business community?
-Fees for the Radon Licensing program have never been updated; the program started in 1990. Fee
updates are intended to support program staffing and maintain current service and inspection
levels. Without these fee updates, we will experience longer wait times for license processing,
customer assistance, and complaint investigations as well as reduced compliance monitoring and
enforcement – ultimately increasing the risk of radon induced cancer.
About a year or two ago, they tried to do away with the “Tester” category altogether. Only allowing those with mitigator licenses to perform testing. That did not go over well and was dropped.
I believe that the larger environmental testing companies are trying to get rid of the small guys. They have deeper pockets than I do and can grease the palms of those government.
I agree. Licensing is often just a means to gatekeep.
Wow, $50 per year in New Jersey
I expect from that Q&A that the agency regulating it is a “Self Funded” agency? Does that Agency handle licensing for any other fields?
The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) that licenses RE Salespeople, Brokers, Inspectors, and others went to a self funded agency I can’t recall how many years ago. Their entire budget is comprised of licensing fees AND enforcement action fines. Our licensing fees have not changed significantly over the years so you can imagine how they generate their budget monies. So far they have nailed so many RE Salespeople and Brokers that the Inspectors have not been hit as hard. Of course there are less than 5K Inspectors and well over 100K Salespeople and Brokers.
It will be interesting to see how the issue in your neck of the woods turns out.
No. They are not self-funded. All fees collected go into the State’s General Fund.
Wow!
Thanks for posting this information, Bill, this is the first I heard about it.
All the more reason why it’s total HS! Is the State having a financial crisis?
Take the new fee, divide it by the number of radon tests you do. Tack on an admin percentage and there is your new Radon testing fee. When clients / realtors ask about the price increase simply explain that it is due to new governmental regulation fees (that they may have voted for without even realizing it). The cost of doing business will eventually be passed on to the consumer. I no longer eat the debit/credit card fees as a cost of doing business. I do however offer ACH and an option to avoid those fees.
I hope tax Moore doesn’t see this in MD. No fees now.
I just came to this forum to post about this! This is a significant financial hardship for new, small businesses like mine. This is what I emailed them:
"Dear Ohio Department of Health,
I am writing to express my concern regarding the proposed changes to radon license fees.
These increases would place an unnecessary financial burden on small, newly established businesses like mine. I am within the first few months of establishing my home inspection business, and the proposed fee increase represents a significant additional expense at a time when I am still working to build a client base and establish a sustainable business.
While a larger company may be able to absorb or quickly recoup an increase in licensing costs, the impact is much greater for solo inspectors and small businesses operating on narrow margins. There are many independent inspectors throughout Ohio who are simply trying to build their businesses and provide quality services to their communities. Significant increases in licensing fees make that more difficult.
I also question what additional services, resources, or benefits licensees would receive in return for such a substantial increase in fees. If the Department is proposing these increases to address specific costs or provide additional services, I would appreciate greater transparency regarding how the additional revenue would be used.
I respectfully ask the Ohio Department of Health to reconsider the proposed license fee increases, particularly their impact on small and newly established businesses. At a time when operating costs continue to place pressure on small businesses, additional regulatory expenses should be carefully considered.
Thank you for taking the concerns of Ohio’s small businesses and independent professionals into consideration."
Great points. I hope someone reads it.
My advice. Make it one paragraph. Strong words.