Submitting to States for approval.
Check it out. Radon Measurement Provider Course. Free.
The course is over 110,000 words long.
Over 310 pages (pdf format).
Over 200 pictures and illustrations.
Includes the new International SOP for Inspecting Radon Systems.
And Checklist for Inspecting Radon Mitigation Systems.
And who’s she? What’s she got to do with Radon?
madame Curie
What about Canada? Any plans there?
Ben,
From the course page:
With all due respect, how can this be?
I had discussed this with Nick some time ago, and encourage the recognition of existing and current national and state - recognized courses in this subject, as well.
As you are aware, states that require licensing to perform radon testing (such as Pennsylvania and NJ) require courses developed and approved by NEHA and/or NRSB. Some states recognize training by either in lieu of their own state-driven courses.
Therefore, I would assume that IAC2 will also recognize courses and tests developed/provided through either of these two EPA recognized organizations, in addition to this course.
I myself have taken the course of study and national testing for Radon Measurement Specialist, including the NRSB’s own exam.
I encourage IAC2 to recognize these courses and tests, as currently NEHA and NRSB are the sole orgs recognized by the EPA relative to radon testing protocols.
InterNACHI has always required the completion/passing of OUR courses, quizzes, and exams above and beyond what any particular state requires www.nachi.org/membership.htm. Why would IAC2 be any didfferent?
This radon course is far more robust than the one’s you mention for mere state licensing purposes.
However, IAC2 does have indirect (through the InterNACHI membership requirement) CE requirements and the courses you mention qualify for InterNACHI CE purposes.
Apparently it’s been a while since you had to take a radon certification test or deal with Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. There is nothing mere about all the hoops that you have to jump through for this state in order to get certified. Most don’t pass the first time around and it takes several months to complete all the requirements such as testing, proficiency, and registration. I don’t know how long it’s been since you and Ben left PA, but the PA DEP does not make it easy to get a certificate. I hosted an ESA class last February for radon certification. Out of the 13 home inspectors who sat for the test, 8 of them passed. Only 6 were able to get through all the certification requirements outlined by the state. Nothing mere about state licensing in my opinion. It was hard *** work and requires constant upkeep with reporting requirements.
Scott, you seem familiar with it. Did the course include a section on inspecting radon mitigation systems?
ESA’s course was for Initial Radon Measurement Certification with the NEHA test administered at the end of the second day. The course had nothing to do with Radon Mitigation, which is a whole separate certification with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
I have not looked at the InterNACHI course yet, but I am sure it is very comprehensive. But the fact of the matter is, Pennsylvania DEP requirements are very stringent compared to most states in the country. I definately would not call them mere requirements when there are a lot of states out there that do not even require any kind of certification at all in order to conduct radon measurement activies.
What other way would you possibly determine whether a radon mitigation system was working or not than to do a radon test?
Has anyone…in the history of radon mitigation systems…ever been called upon to “inspect” one…or is this just another “invent the class…then, invent a market”?
Is there a way I can get into this course, bookmark my exit, and come back the next day, and resume?
I would like to do this course ASAP, but in small chunks of an hour or so…
Thile this statement may be true, the fact that one must pass the state-required courses in licensed states in order to LEGALLY perform a radon inspection falls clearly within the requirements of the InterNACHI COE.
Further, the EPA recognizes but two certifying organizations when it comes to Radon: NEHA and NRSB.
It seems counter-productive and duplicitous to REQUIRE passing an IAC2 course in the subject for those already possessing the reqesite knowledge and skill to perform radon testing. Mitigation systems requires a different course and recognized test in order to achieve National certification.
Again, a US Agency has already designated two orgs with the charter to make decisions. They already occupy the field. While IAC2 puts forth valuable education, it cannot and should not represent itself as a replacement for any existing norm until such time as it receives accreditation from the EPA.
Jim Bushart asks:
The point is that an inspetor CAN determine if a radon system is NOT working properly WITHOUT doing a radon test and that this information is reviewed in our radon course www.nachi.org/radoncourse.htm
Jim, for more information about inspecting the many hundreds of thousands of existing radon systems that have a life expectancy of only 10 years… read InterNACHI’s Standards of Practice for Inspecting Radon Mitigation Systems: http://www.nachi.org/comsop.htm#18
Suggested reporting language also exists at http://www.nachi.org/comsop.htm#18
Part of being www.IAC2.org Radon Certified is to be able to perform such an inspection. No other course covering this material exists, as far as I know.
Joe, all of InterNACHI’s requirements are above and beyond what each state requires. www.nachi.org/membership.htm IAC2 is no different.
Scott has confirmed that his state, like all the other states, does not require a knowledge of inspecting existing radon mitigation systems. One does require this knowledge to be IAC2 Radon Certified.
Steven, yes. Every one of InterNACHI’s online courses www.nachi.org/education.htm have a navigation system in the left blue border that permits you to take the course in sections or repeat sections as often as you like.
Joe, the EPA abandoned their own radon mitigation standards and no longer recommends their own mitigation standards. They did this is 2006. I’m sorry if the outside courses you tout… have failed to keep up.
Not speaking mitigation, Nick. We’re speaking measurement.
NRSB and NEHA are the recognized orgs.
BTW, there are still EPA-recognized mitigators…
I’m speaking about the inspection of mitigation systems because knowledge of inspecting radon mitigation systems is an IAC2 requirement to be radon certified.
Diploma mill ASHI member Jim Bushart saying that “testing for radon is the same as inspecting a radon system”, is as silly as saying… “checking for leaks is the same as inspecting a roof.” Absurd.
Nick,
You are incorrect. Inspection of a radon mitigation system would require an analysis of initial radon levels in the home prior to the design and installation of the system in question. Differing types of foundations also factor into the equation, including foundation wall composition, presence of french drains, open sump pits, crawlspaces, dirt floors etc.
Granted, here are some basic observations which can be made, including a comment (perhaps) on the type of system installed, the location of the fan, etc. Some sysems may be passive, while others avtive. The proof, at the end of the day however, is whether the system is functioning for its intended purpose. This may only be accomplished by performing a short-term (or long term) radon test.
TO truly inspect the system, one would need to examing a year-round average, along with short-term testing dating from pre-install to system verification after install, then comparing it to a current test.