Also , don ’ t be afraid of the math . Sure there are some math questions but they are simple ( no calculus !). Just straight elementary school math . These are great for you , because there is only one answer and no need to interpret grey areas . When you read the question , don ’ t look at the answers before you do your own calculations . After you have your answer you will see one of the four that corresponds to your result without any need for interpretation or guesswork ( in other words , no green cheese to worry about ).
The best advice is to read the protocols that are included with the coursework . The course is not a recitation of the protocols , which would be BORING but are based upon them . Absorb and learn during the course . Download the protocols and read them , and as you do spot the definitive areas that you would write a question around , make a note of it .
Do No Harm Certainly proper radon measurement or mitigation practices are important , but perhaps more so is to insure there are no negative consequences of following improper procedures .
In the case of radon mitigation , you may be focused on getting the indoor radon levels below a certain guidance , level such as 4 pCi / L or 200 BQ / M3 . However , if you do it at the expense of backdrafting a combustion appliance and killing your client with carbon monoxide that is not a good thing . So look at these possible answers from a standpoint of “ doing no harm .”
In the case of radon measurement , think of those things that would give you a false reading and cause the person to take the wrong action , such as not mitigating their house when they should , or spending money for mitigation when they don ’ t need to . Many of the aspects of the Indoor Radon Abatement Act were based upon consumer protection of homeowners spending money unnecessarily due to poor testing . So , as you go through the course think of things that would have negative results for the consumer . In other words , think from the standpoint of a government employee or consumer advocate .
Study on Your Own Do not assume , regardless of the trainer that you can listen to the course material and assume that you will be able to pass the exam . The exam is not onerous . On the other hand , it is not trivial either . Go back through the material and constantly ask yourself what is the impact of what is being said . Think about it in your own terms .
In our experience , it is more productive to sit for the exam after you have had a chance to digest and review the material . That is why after sixteen years of giving classroom courses , we went to an online course . This provided a lot of benefits to the student . A key one was a ton of practice questions to verify their comprehension and the ability to go back and repeat portions of the course . This made a huge difference in both comprehension and passing rates . The distance based format also allowed the incorporation of guest presenters to get some alternate approaches to the same issue . And lastly , everyone ’ s learning rate is different so the online courses we offer allow you to learn and repeat at your own pace and there is no time limit .
So , regardless if you take advantage of our distance base courses with hands-on components and mentoring , or a classroom course , take your time and know that you have options for taking the exam when you are ready . The NRPP exams are available at testing centers nationwide . If possible , give yourself a few days to go through protocols ; and if you are taking our course go through the review questions at least one more time .
We hope this helps a bit . Don ’ t feel you are alone . If you need some additional help on a topic in the radon certification course , just call us and we will walk you through it . After all , we want you to succeed with the exam as well as afterwards . We don ’ t teach to the exam , but we do teach what is important and the exam addresses those same issues .
To get a better idea about how the radon courses work , check this video out : Link to "" Why CERTI Training ?"
Doug Kladder Director