How to Find a Certified Radon Professional in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Has Some of the Strictest Radon Certification Requirements in the US

The Pennsylvania Radon Certification Act (Act 73 of 1988) was the first comprehensive state radon certification law in the United States and remains one of the most detailed. Under Act 73, anyone who performs radon testing or mitigation for compensation in Pennsylvania must hold active certification from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). There are no exceptions for general contractors, home inspectors, or HVAC companies that want to offer radon services on the side. The certification requirement applies across the board.

Act 73 also imposes a notification requirement that sets Pennsylvania apart from most states: after installing a radon mitigation system, a DEP-certified contractor must submit notification to the DEP. This creates a state record for each system installation and gives homeowners a way to confirm that the installation was conducted by a properly credentialed professional who is following state protocol.

Two Separate Certifications: Testing and Mitigation

Pennsylvania certifies radon professionals in two distinct categories, and holding one certification does not automatically grant the other:

PA-Certified Radon Measurement Professional: Authorized to perform radon testing using approved measurement devices and protocols. This certification is required for any radon test conducted for compensation, including real estate tests, post-mitigation tests, and standard residential tests. A homeowner using a DIY kit is not subject to this requirement, but for real estate transactions the test must be performed by a certified professional.
PA-Certified Radon Mitigation Contractor: Authorized to design and install radon mitigation systems in Pennsylvania homes. The most common system is sub-slab depressurization (SSD), which uses a pipe and fan to draw radon from beneath the foundation and exhaust it above the roofline. Mitigation contractors must also notify DEP after each installation.

Some companies hold both certifications and can provide end-to-end service. For routine residential purposes, using the same company for testing and mitigation is fine. For real estate transactions, buyers and sellers typically want the test to be independent of the eventual mitigator to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest.

How to Verify a Pennsylvania Radon Professional’s Credentials

The Pennsylvania DEP maintains a searchable database of currently certified radon professionals. Before hiring anyone, confirm:

Their name or company appears in the DEP database with an active, current certification.
Their certification covers the service they are providing (measurement vs. mitigation).
Their certification expiration date is current. DEP certifications must be renewed, and expired certifications are not valid.

Ask any contractor you are considering to provide their DEP certification number. A legitimate, experienced professional will have this number ready. If a contractor is vague about their certification status or cannot provide a certification number, that is a red flag.

Regional Coverage Across Pennsylvania

Philadelphia Suburbs and Reading Prong Counties

Bucks, Montgomery, Berks, and Lehigh counties have the densest concentration of DEP-certified radon professionals in the state, with well over 100 contractors serving these counties collectively. The volume reflects the decades of active radon remediation work in the Reading Prong, where pre-mitigation levels of 20 to 50 pCi/L are routine and where nearly every real estate transaction involves a radon test.

Contractors in this region have extensive experience with high-level homes. Installing a system in a home that tests at 40 pCi/L requires different technique than a standard 6 pCi/L remediation. Reading Prong specialists routinely design multi-point suction systems for homes with multiple foundation sections, complex slab configurations, or difficult soil conditions. If your home is in Berks, Bucks, or Montgomery County and your pre-mitigation test is very high, look for a contractor who has specific experience with elevated-level homes, not just a general building contractor who occasionally installs radon pipes.

Historic home foundations in southeastern Pennsylvania also require specialist attention. Many older homes in Bucks County, the Perkiomen Valley, and the Schuylkill Valley have stone foundation walls, partial basements, and mixed construction that complicates standard SSD installation. Ask prospective contractors about their experience with historic or complex foundations before signing.

Lehigh Valley

Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton have a strong concentration of certified contractors. Radon is a standard inspection item in Lehigh Valley real estate transactions and contractors are experienced with the high-level Reading Prong conditions in the western parts of the Valley and the moderately high conditions in Northampton County. Coverage is good throughout the region.

Pittsburgh Metro

Allegheny County and the surrounding Pittsburgh metro have strong radon contractor coverage. Pittsburgh contractors work primarily with Devonian shale geology, which produces high but generally less extreme levels than the Reading Prong. Standard SSD systems are effective in this geology, and experienced contractors are available throughout the Pittsburgh metro area including the North Hills, South Hills, and eastern suburbs.

Central Pennsylvania and State College

Centre County and the surrounding central Pennsylvania counties have moderate contractor coverage. State College and Bellefonte have certified professionals serving the area. The limestone karst geology of the Nittany Valley produces high radon levels in a different pattern than the Reading Prong: karst homes often have soil-gas entry through foundation cracks and floor drains that channel gas from dissolution features in the underlying limestone. Contractors experienced with karst geology are important in this region.

Pocono Region

Monroe, Pike, Wayne, and Carbon counties have moderate contractor coverage that becomes busier during the spring and fall real estate seasons for vacation home transactions. Contractors serving the Pocono region are accustomed to seasonal property testing and can schedule efficiently during peak listing seasons. If you are buying or selling a Pocono vacation home, book a testing appointment early; availability gets tight between March and May.

Northwest Pennsylvania and Erie

Erie County and the northwestern counties have fewer contractors than the southeastern or Pittsburgh markets. Coverage exists but the pool is smaller. If you are in Erie or Crawford County, be prepared to schedule further in advance and potentially work with a contractor who travels from a neighboring area.

What to Ask a Pennsylvania Radon Professional Before Hiring

Use this checklist when evaluating any radon contractor in Pennsylvania:

DEP certification number: Request it and verify it in the DEP database before signing anything.
Act 73 compliance: Ask whether they follow all Act 73 requirements, including DEP system notification for mitigation work.
DEP notification confirmation: For mitigation work, ask whether they will provide you with a copy of the DEP notification after installation. A reputable contractor will do this as a matter of course.
Permits: Some Pennsylvania municipalities require building permits for radon system installations. Ask whether a permit is required in your municipality and whether the contractor handles that.
Post-installation testing: A properly completed mitigation job includes a post-mitigation test to confirm the system is working. Ask when this test will be conducted (typically 24 hours after installation) and who performs it.
Warranty: Ask about the system warranty, including what it covers (fan replacement, pipe work) and for how long. A standard warranty runs one to two years on parts and labor.
Experience with your foundation type: If your home has a stone foundation, crawl space, partial basement, or multiple foundation sections, ask specifically about the contractor’s experience with similar homes.

Red Flags to Watch for in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s strong certification law does not eliminate bad actors. Watch for these warning signs:

No DEP certification: Some contractors offer radon mitigation without DEP certification, particularly in markets where buyers are less informed about the requirement. This is illegal under Act 73 and exposes you to liability if you are installing a system for a real estate transaction.
Skipping DEP notification: A contractor who does not submit DEP system notification after installation is not following Act 73 requirements. This matters for your records, your home’s transaction history, and any future sale.
Same-visit testing and mitigation: A contractor who offers to test your home and install a mitigation system in the same visit, on the same day, for a real estate transaction is cutting corners. Proper testing requires 48 hours of device placement; results need to be reviewed before a mitigation plan is designed.
Pressure to skip post-mitigation testing: Any contractor who installs a system and does not offer or include a post-mitigation test is not completing the job correctly. Without a post-mitigation test, you have no confirmation the system is working.
Unrealistically low bids: Pennsylvania mitigation costs $800 to $2,200 for most homes. A quote significantly below $800 often means the contractor is cutting corners on materials, skipping DEP notification, or is not certified.

Browse Certified Radon Professionals in Pennsylvania

Our directory lists Browse certified radon professionals in Pennsylvania who hold current DEP certification under Act 73. Search by county to find testers and mitigation contractors serving your area, from the Reading Prong counties and Philadelphia suburbs to Pittsburgh metro, the Lehigh Valley, and central Pennsylvania.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Pennsylvania require radon professionals to be certified?

Yes. Pennsylvania Act 73 of 1988, the Pennsylvania Radon Certification Act, requires all radon measurement professionals and mitigation contractors to hold active DEP certification. This is one of the strictest state radon certification frameworks in the country. You can verify any professional’s certification status through the Pennsylvania DEP radon professional database.

Can I use a DIY radon test for a real estate transaction in Pennsylvania?

No. For real estate purposes in Pennsylvania, radon testing must be performed by a DEP-certified radon measurement professional. DIY kit results are not accepted for real estate transactions. A certified professional using approved devices and protocols provides results that are legally recognized and acceptable to buyers, sellers, and their attorneys.

What is the DEP notification requirement for mitigation systems?

Under Pennsylvania Act 73, DEP-certified radon mitigation contractors are required to notify the DEP after installing a mitigation system in a Pennsylvania home. This notification creates a state record of the installation. If you hire a contractor who does not notify DEP, that contractor is likely not properly following Act 73 requirements. Ask any contractor you are considering whether they submit DEP system notifications.

Can the same company do my radon test and install a mitigation system?

Yes, a company can hold both measurement and mitigation certifications. However, for real estate transactions, there is an important conflict-of-interest concern: the tester and mitigator should not be the same person performing both services on the same property in the same real estate transaction. Standard practice is for the buyer or seller to commission an independent test before engaging a mitigator.

What should I do if a radon contractor says they don’t need DEP certification in Pennsylvania?

Do not hire them. DEP certification is required by law under Act 73 for any person who performs radon measurement or mitigation services for compensation in Pennsylvania. A contractor claiming otherwise is either misinformed or attempting to operate outside the law. Operating without certification is a violation of Pennsylvania statute. Verify any contractor you consider through the DEP online database before signing a contract.