NEWEST RADON MITIGATION SPECIALIST
(RMS) CERTIFICATION EXAM OFFERED BY
NATIONAL RADON SAFETY BOARD (NRSB) |
COMPLETE EXAM Q&A WITH RATIONALES
1. A mitigation specialist is called to a 3-story single-
family home with a post-mitigation radon reading of
3.5 pCi/L. The homeowner is concerned because the
action level is 4.0 pCi/L. Which statement best
represents accepted industry guidance?
A) The system passed and no further action is
required.
B) The specialist should seal all visible cracks in the
basement.
C) The system is considered effective because radon
levels are below the action level, but the homeowner
may choose to take action for levels between 2 and 4
pCi/L.
D) The system failed and must be redesigned
immediately.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The EPA action level is 4.0 pCi/L. While
levels below that are considered acceptable, the EPA
also recommends considering mitigation for levels
between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L.
,**2. A 2-story slab-on-grade home in a high-radon
area has a post-mitigation test result of 6 pCi/L after
an active soil depressurization (ASD) system was
installed. What is the most likely cause?**
A) The fan is too powerful for the system.
B) The suction point is not effectively drawing from
the entire slab area.
C) The home has a crawlspace that was not treated.
D) The sealing of foundation cracks was insufficient.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: ASD systems require adequate pressure
field extension. If the suction point is improperly
located or the slab aggregate is not uniform, radon
levels may remain elevated.
**3. During a diagnostic vacuum test on a slab, the
manometer reading quickly drops to 0.1 inches of
water column (in. w.c.) at all test holes. What does
this indicate?**
A) The slab aggregate is extremely tight and will
require multiple suction points.
B) The sub-slab communication is excellent and a
single suction point is likely adequate.
,C) The vacuum cleaner is malfunctioning.
D) The slab is very thick and will require a high-
powered fan.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: A small vacuum drop indicates good
communication beneath the slab and that a single
suction point is likely sufficient to cover the entire
slab.
**4. A radon mitigation system is being installed in a
home with a sump pit. What is the proper method for
mitigating radon entry through the sump pit?**
A) Seal the sump pit cover airtight and connect it to
the ASD system.
B) Remove the sump pit and backfill the hole.
C) Install a fan directly inside the sump pit.
D) Leave the sump pit unsealed for drainage and rely
on sealing other cracks.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Sump pits are common radon entry points.
The cover must be sealed airtight and connected to
the ASD piping.
, **5. The main health risk associated with prolonged
radon exposure is:**
A) Asthma
B) Skin irritation
C) Lung cancer
D) Heart disease
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Radon is a leading cause of lung cancer
among non-smokers and the second leading cause
overall.
**6. Radon is best described as:**
A) A toxic liquid found in groundwater
B) A radioactive gas produced by combustion
C) A radioactive gas resulting from the decay of
uranium in soil and rock
D) A chemical byproduct of building materials
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Radon forms naturally from uranium decay
in soil and rock and can migrate into buildings.
**7. A mitigation specialist is designing an ASD
system for a house with multiple foundation types: a
(RMS) CERTIFICATION EXAM OFFERED BY
NATIONAL RADON SAFETY BOARD (NRSB) |
COMPLETE EXAM Q&A WITH RATIONALES
1. A mitigation specialist is called to a 3-story single-
family home with a post-mitigation radon reading of
3.5 pCi/L. The homeowner is concerned because the
action level is 4.0 pCi/L. Which statement best
represents accepted industry guidance?
A) The system passed and no further action is
required.
B) The specialist should seal all visible cracks in the
basement.
C) The system is considered effective because radon
levels are below the action level, but the homeowner
may choose to take action for levels between 2 and 4
pCi/L.
D) The system failed and must be redesigned
immediately.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The EPA action level is 4.0 pCi/L. While
levels below that are considered acceptable, the EPA
also recommends considering mitigation for levels
between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L.
,**2. A 2-story slab-on-grade home in a high-radon
area has a post-mitigation test result of 6 pCi/L after
an active soil depressurization (ASD) system was
installed. What is the most likely cause?**
A) The fan is too powerful for the system.
B) The suction point is not effectively drawing from
the entire slab area.
C) The home has a crawlspace that was not treated.
D) The sealing of foundation cracks was insufficient.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: ASD systems require adequate pressure
field extension. If the suction point is improperly
located or the slab aggregate is not uniform, radon
levels may remain elevated.
**3. During a diagnostic vacuum test on a slab, the
manometer reading quickly drops to 0.1 inches of
water column (in. w.c.) at all test holes. What does
this indicate?**
A) The slab aggregate is extremely tight and will
require multiple suction points.
B) The sub-slab communication is excellent and a
single suction point is likely adequate.
,C) The vacuum cleaner is malfunctioning.
D) The slab is very thick and will require a high-
powered fan.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: A small vacuum drop indicates good
communication beneath the slab and that a single
suction point is likely sufficient to cover the entire
slab.
**4. A radon mitigation system is being installed in a
home with a sump pit. What is the proper method for
mitigating radon entry through the sump pit?**
A) Seal the sump pit cover airtight and connect it to
the ASD system.
B) Remove the sump pit and backfill the hole.
C) Install a fan directly inside the sump pit.
D) Leave the sump pit unsealed for drainage and rely
on sealing other cracks.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Sump pits are common radon entry points.
The cover must be sealed airtight and connected to
the ASD piping.
, **5. The main health risk associated with prolonged
radon exposure is:**
A) Asthma
B) Skin irritation
C) Lung cancer
D) Heart disease
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Radon is a leading cause of lung cancer
among non-smokers and the second leading cause
overall.
**6. Radon is best described as:**
A) A toxic liquid found in groundwater
B) A radioactive gas produced by combustion
C) A radioactive gas resulting from the decay of
uranium in soil and rock
D) A chemical byproduct of building materials
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Radon forms naturally from uranium decay
in soil and rock and can migrate into buildings.
**7. A mitigation specialist is designing an ASD
system for a house with multiple foundation types: a
