Radon Testing Requirements in Vermont
Radon Testing Requirements in Vermont
Vermont doesn’t require radon testing for homes, home sales or rentals. The one statewide testing requirement covers schools: a 2021 law required every Vermont school to test for radon, with a final deadline of June 30, 2025. For homeowners and buyers, testing is voluntary, though the Vermont Department of Health estimates that about 1 in 7 Vermont homes has elevated radon and recommends testing. Vermont also has no state-mandated seller disclosure form, although the widely used Seller’s Property Information Report asks about radon. This article explains what Vermont requires, what it doesn’t and how to test your home or well water.
Is radon testing required in Vermont?
Not for homes. The Vermont Department of Health states that Vermont law doesn’t require a radon test as part of a real estate transaction. We found no Vermont law requiring homeowners, landlords or lenders to test for radon either.
Radon is still a real concern in the state. The Health Department reports that about 1 in 7 Vermont homes has elevated radon and that the average indoor level in Vermont is about 2.5 pCi/L, compared with about 0.4 pCi/L outdoors. The EPA recommends fixing homes at or above 4 pCi/L and considering action between 2 and 4 pCi/L. No radon level is considered completely safe, and long-term exposure causes lung cancer. Because levels vary from house to house, testing is the only way to know your home’s level.
Radon testing requirements for Vermont schools
Vermont’s school testing requirement comes from Section 12 of Act 72, passed in 2021. Act 166 of 2022 extended the deadline, giving schools until June 30, 2025 to complete testing. Schools must follow the national ANSI/AARST protocol for testing schools and large buildings and hire certified radon measurement professionals.
The Health Department recommends that schools retest every five years, or whenever significant changes are made to the building or its mechanical systems. Schools are required to notify parents, guardians and staff of results and post them on school websites. At or above 4 pCi/L, the Health Department advises mitigation or HVAC adjustments, and it recommends considering mitigation at 2 pCi/L or higher.
Compliance has been uneven. In a February 2026 report summarized by Vermont Business Magazine, State Auditor Doug Hoffer found that about 73 percent of public schools had completed testing as of January 31, 2026, that 68 schools had missed the deadline and that 20 schools had results above 4 pCi/L. The auditor recommended requiring schools to report results to the Health Department and strengthening how results are shared with families. If you have a child in a Vermont school, you can ask the school or district for its radon results.
Radon and Vermont home sales
Vermont doesn’t have a state-required seller disclosure form. Many sellers complete the Seller’s Property Information Report, often called the SPIR, as a standard part of listing a home. It isn’t required by law, but real estate professionals commonly use it, and it asks about known environmental conditions, including radon.
Because the SPIR reflects only what a seller knows, a seller who has never tested has nothing to report. Sellers should be careful not to misrepresent known conditions, and buyers who have questions about disclosure obligations should talk with a Vermont real estate attorney.
Many Vermont buyers schedule a radon test during the inspection period. A short-term test fits a typical transaction timeline, and many buyers hire a certified measurement professional so the result is less likely to be disputed. If a test comes back high, buyers and sellers commonly negotiate a price credit, a repair before closing or an escrow holdback for mitigation. Our guide for real estate agents on radon covers how testing fits into a sale.
Rentals and new construction in Vermont
We found no Vermont law requiring landlords to test rental housing for radon or to disclose radon results to tenants. Renters who want to know their level can test their own unit, ideally after discussing it with the landlord.
Vermont also doesn’t require radon-resistant construction in new homes statewide, based on available state program information. The Health Department encourages radon-resistant building techniques, which typically include a gas-permeable layer beneath the slab, a sealed vapor barrier and a vent pipe that can be converted to an active system if needed. Our article on radon-resistant new construction explains these features. If you’re building or buying a new home, ask the builder what was installed, and test after you move in.
Radon in Vermont well water
Many Vermont homes use private wells or springs. Radon dissolved in groundwater can be released into the air when you shower, wash dishes or do laundry, adding to indoor levels. The Health Department notes that radon in water can raise indoor air levels and offers resources for testing well and spring water, including commercial water test kits. If your home uses a private water source, consider testing both the air and the water.
How to test your Vermont home
The Vermont Department of Health Laboratory sells radon test kits, which you can order by calling 802-338-4736 or 800-660-9997. The Health Department recommends long-term testing of 3 to 12 months for the most accurate picture of your exposure, since radon changes with the seasons. Short-term kits are available when you need a faster answer, such as during a home sale.
For a valid air test, place the device in the lowest lived-in level of your home, away from drafts, heat, humidity and exterior walls. For short-term tests, keep windows and exterior doors closed for at least 12 hours before and during the test. Our radon testing guide walks through the process, our article on where to place a radon test kit covers setup, our article on how long a radon test takes explains timing and our radon test kit comparison covers the options.
Radon readings reported in Vermont
Vermont homeowners have submitted 54 radon readings to RadonResources.com, from towns including Randolph Center, Barre, Stowe, South Burlington and Brandon. All of them were at or above 4 pCi/L. That’s far higher than the Health Department’s estimate of 1 in 7 homes, because people with elevated results are much more likely to look for information and share their number. The data can’t predict your home’s level, but it shows that high readings appear across the state. You can browse radon readings homeowners have reported or visit our Vermont radon page for local professionals.
Hiring a radon professional in Vermont
The Vermont Department of Health directs residents to mitigation contractors certified by the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) or the National Radon Safety Board (NRSB). Checking for national certification is the best way to confirm a contractor has radon-specific training.
The most common fix for elevated radon is active soil depressurization, a vent pipe and fan system that draws radon from beneath the foundation and releases it above the roof. Sealing cracks helps, but sealing alone usually doesn’t reliably lower significantly elevated radon. A post-mitigation test confirms whether the system worked. Our guide to hiring a certified radon mitigator and our radon contractor checklist list the questions to ask, and our article comparing exterior and interior radon pipes covers how systems are routed.
Frequently asked questions
Do Vermont sellers have to test for radon?
No. The Vermont Department of Health says state law doesn’t require a radon test in a real estate transaction. Many sellers complete the Seller’s Property Information Report, which asks about known radon, but the form isn’t required by law and doesn’t require testing. Buyers who want a current number usually arrange their own test.
Are Vermont schools required to test for radon?
Yes. Act 72 of 2021 required all Vermont schools to test for radon, and the deadline was extended to June 30, 2025. Schools must use certified professionals and share results with families and staff. A 2026 state audit found that some schools hadn’t yet completed testing, so parents can ask their school directly for its results.
Where can I get a radon test kit in Vermont?
The Vermont Department of Health Laboratory sells test kits, which you can order at 802-338-4736 or 800-660-9997. Kits are also sold at hardware stores and online. The Health Department recommends a long-term test of 3 to 12 months for the most accurate result.
Do Vermont landlords have to test for radon?
We found no Vermont law requiring landlords to test rental units or disclose radon results to tenants. Tenants can test their own units with a kit. If a result is elevated, share it with your landlord and ask about mitigation options.
Testing is up to you in Vermont
Outside of schools, Vermont leaves radon testing to homeowners, buyers and renters. With roughly 1 in 7 homes estimated to have elevated radon and a statewide average indoor level above the national average, a test is a reasonable step for any Vermont household. If you’d like help testing or addressing a high result, you can connect with a certified radon professional in Vermont.
Sources and further reading
- Vermont Department of Health, Radon (1 in 7 homes, average indoor level, test kits, real estate, well water, NRPP and NRSB contractors).
- Vermont Department of Health, Radon in Schools (Act 72 and Act 166, testing deadline, protocol, retesting, notification).
- Vermont Business Magazine, Hoffer: Schools Should Be Healthy and Safe Environments (2026 state auditor findings on school testing).
- National Radon Program Services, Radon in Vermont (2023 state fact sheet on Vermont radon laws).
- Peet Law Group, Understanding the Seller’s Property Information Report in Vermont (SPIR not legally required, radon question).
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, A Citizen’s Guide to Radon (action levels, testing guidance).
- RadonResources.com user-submitted radon readings (self-reported and not a representative sample).
This article is for general educational purposes and is not legal or medical advice. Laws and program details can change, and local rules may differ. Consult a Vermont real estate attorney for legal questions and a certified radon professional for testing or mitigation.
