The National Environmental Health Association
National Radon Proficiency Program

Renewal Information

A significant distinction has been defined between individuals who analyze radon measurements in the field (on behalf of a client), and individuals who place devices analyzed by third-party laboratories.   Either measurement approach will require the basic "Residential Measurement Provider" certification.  The NEHA NRPP ID card, and the NEHA NRPP website, will indicate all additional measurement services a person is certified to offer.  

The following provides a brief description of the measurement certifications and their sub-levels:

Residential Measurement Provider

Standard Services

Individuals holding the Residential Measurement Provider certification are authorized to place devices that are analyzed by NEHA certified analytical laboratories and to interpret the results obtained from these measurements in accordance with U.S. EPA protocols.  For example, individuals placing activated charcoal devices or liquid scintillation vials that are sent to an independent laboratory would fall into this category, as would individuals placing blind continuous monitors, provided the data is analyzed by a certified third-party laboratory. If an independent third-party individual or organization provides test results to include in a report to a client, the standard service measurement provider is the appropriate certification.

The renewal application fee for the basic Residential Measurement Provider is $130.00 for a two-year certification. This is a change from EPA's program that required annual renewal.

To maintain certification one must follow the quality assurance and quality control guidelines as required by the previous U.S. EPA proficiency program (see discussion on QA/QC plans). Furthermore, one must accumulate the requisite number of continuing education credits prior to renewing again in two years. See discussion on continuing education credits.

Although this classification is specific for measurements in homes, it does not preclude the ability to conduct radon measurement surveys in large buildings, or to take samples for radon in water, provided that the appropriate protocols and procedures are followed.

Analytical and Standard Services

A Residential Measurement Provider's certification may be supplemented by offering  Analytical Services. The analytical distinction is specific to devices for which the individual has demonstrated proficiency and for which the individual may deploy and analyze on behalf of a client. The primary distinction between this category and that of analytical labs is that only two parties are involved: the measurement professional and the client. A person holding this certification is also certified to place and retrieve devices analyzed by third party laboratories.

For example, a person utilizing a continuous monitor that produces the actual result to be included in a report to the client, or someone who deploys and measures the voltage for electret ion chambers, would fall into this category. However, if a person analyzes the electret for another measurement professional, analyzing the device would be considered an Analytical Laboratory activity rather than that of a residential measurement provider.

It has become apparent that a degree of simplification can occur by grouping analytical devices, based upon measurement methodology and the device manufacturer. In the previous EPA program, each configuration of a measurement system was considered a separate analytical device and assessed a separate listing fee. In the NEHA NRPP, certain combinations of devices have been grouped for an assessment of a single certification fee. One QA/QC plan will be required for each measurement group, supplemented with calibration charts for each device configuration.

In addition to the basic residential measurement provider renewal fee described above ($130.00 for two years), an additional $75.00 fee will be assessed per device group. For example, if a person uses an electret system and performs measurements using an L chamber with an LT electret and an S chamber with an LT electret, the fee will be a combination of $130.00 and one $75.00 fee (to include both configurations of electrets and chambers). However, a QA/QC plan that addresses both chamber and electret configurations must be submitted, and annual calibrations must be performed on each reader in service.

If you wish to add devices at a later date, the $75.00 device fee will be prorated on a quarterly basis for the time remaining in the two-year basic measurement credential.

A table of devices has been developed to help identify the group within which the various devices fall, and to cross-reference new NEHA device codes to EPA's previous device codes.

You must submit proof of calibration within the last twelve months for each measurement device. The calibration date will represent the anniversary date by which future annual calibrations are to occur. The proof of calibration must show:

• Manufacturer name
• Model number
• Serial number
• Date of calibration
• Name of facility performing calibration
• Calibration results (e.g. efficiency)

Remember: pay only $75.00 per device group rather than for each device used!

The Analytical Laboratory Certification is for individuals or firms that analyze radon and radon decay measurement devices on behalf of residential measurement providers and/or the general public.

All laboratories must identify a Responsible Party.  This individual must be certified as a residential measurement provider. If no one is currently certified as such, please request a new application brochure from NEHA NRPP.   Devices included within a laboratory certification will automatically be included on the Measurement Certification of the Responsible Party, at no additional device fee.   For example, if a lab is certified for electrets and continuous monitors, the measurement certification for the Responsible Party will require either a $130 to renew (for an existing NEHA NRPP certification, upon a renewal date) or $150 for a new application.  However, the electrets and continuous monitors will not require any additional fee, but they will appear on that measurement certification which will also indicate the person is offering Standard and Analytical Services.

QA/QC Plans and Performance Testing

Simple Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) plans are being developed. These will include standard methods for determining and reporting QA/QC results, by way of standard result reporting forms. Once available, certified individuals will be given a reasonable period of time to complete and submit the NEHA NRPP QA/QC plans. In the meantime, please submit a copy of the latest QA/QC plan (that you previously submitted to the U.S. EPA) with your renewal.

Certified individuals are to follow the EPA guidelines as described in Indoor Radon and Radon Decay Product Measurement Device Protocols, EPA 402-R-92-004, July 1992, and Protocols For Radon and Radon Decay Product Measurements in Homes, EPA 402-R-92-003, June 1993. Copies may be ordered from the U.S. EPA. Information is available at: www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/index.html

NEHA NRPP places an emphasis on QA/QC procedures utilized during the course of conducting business (duplicates, blanks, spikes, etc.). Although performance testing is valuable, good QA/QC is necessary at all times. The Technical Review Board is being asked to develop a program for dynamically assessing QA/QC. After careful review and open comment this will become a future requirement for maintaining one's certification. Any suggestions should be addressed to the Technical Review Board, in care of the NEHA NRPP.

All Analytical Laboratories and Residential Measurement Providers offering Standard and Analytical Services are required to submit devices for a performance test before specific analytical devices are added to your certification and when they renew their certification.  You may initially enter the program as offering standard services and add devices at a later date (after successful performance test passage).  Contact one of the NEHA approved performance test chambers listed below:

The residential mitigation certification is now a two-year credential for those individuals who either provide or oversee the provision of radon mitigation services in residential structures.

Individuals who hold certifications for both radon mitigation and radon measurement will receive two renewal forms. Both forms must be completed and returned.

In addition to fulfilling continuing education credit requirements, in order to maintain this credential one must follow the Radon Mitigation Standards, EPA 402-R-93-078, October 1993 (Revised April 1994). A copy of the RMS is available at: www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/index.html

Continuing Education Requirements

Continuing education (CE) credits are required during each two-year certification period. CE credits must be obtained from approved continuing education programs (Category I) or a combination of educational programs, radon conference attendance, and radon public outreach efforts (Category II). Approved courses may be found on the NEHA NRPP web-site. NEHA NRPP is committed to encouraging the development of new and relevant C.E. courses.

The following requirements apply to individuals certified as Residential  Measurement Providers and/or Residential  Mitigation   Providers. The requirements below are identical to what the U.S. EPA required in its former proficiency program. Continuing education is not required of Analytical Laboratories, other than for the Responsible Party who must be certified as a Residential Measurement Provider.

Renewal applications  include information  in regard to the last date your C.E. requirements were fulfilled. If you have taken courses that are not reflected, please enter the date that the last course was taken to fulfill your credit hours and provide a copy of your course certificate or proof of Category II credits (where applicable). If you have fulfilled the C.E. requirements in recent months, please provide a copy of applicable course certificates. List of approved continuing education courses.

In our efforts to make the NEHA NRPP program as cost-effective as possible, we do not want to neglect the needs of a number of individuals for additional services, nor do we want to impose additional costs on a general basis. Consequently, we have developed options for individuals who desire a photo ID card or an 8" X 10" certificate (to frame or include in a Qualification Statement or resume).

We will list - and link - home page addresses of certified individuals on the Internet at no cost. For those of you who may not have a homepage, NEHA NRPP is developing a service to develop and post home pages on our website for an economical cost. Watch for information on this optional service in the near future.

Should you have any questions, E-mail to us at angel@neha-nrpp.org or call us at (800) 269-4174.

Return to home