There is no VA radon gas certification form, and there is no builder certification the VA requires for radon. The form number that has circulated for years — “VA Form 26-8242” — does not appear in the Department of Veterans Affairs’ current forms catalog. For appraisals ordered on or after May 1, 2026, the VA no longer requires radon testing or any radon-related certification as part of the loan process. VA appraisers will not test for radon, will not flag radon risk on the appraisal, and will not condition the loan on radon results.
That is the short answer. The longer answer matters, because your individual lender can still require a radon test even when the VA does not, and radon is worth understanding on its own terms before you close on a home.
Why the “VA Radon Certification Form” Doesn’t Exist
Under earlier policy, some VA transactions in higher-risk areas involved radon-related paperwork, and builders in certain jurisdictions were sometimes asked to sign statements about radon-resistant construction. Those documents were not a standardized VA certification form, and the VA has since removed radon from its appraisal and loan requirements entirely.
The VA treats radon differently from other environmental and structural issues it still actively polices. Wood-destroying insect inspections, for example, remain mandatory in dozens of states and specific counties.1Department of Veterans Affairs. Local Requirements – VA Home Loans Radon is not on that list. From the VA’s perspective, any testing decision now rests with the borrower or the lender.
If a builder, real estate agent, or online template is asking you to complete a “VA radon gas certification form,” ask where the requirement is coming from. It is not coming from the VA.
When Your Lender Can Still Require a Radon Test
Mortgage companies routinely add requirements beyond what the VA demands. The industry calls these lender overlays. Some lenders in states with elevated radon risk require a professional radon test as a condition of loan approval, even on a VA loan. If your lender has this overlay, the test results become part of your loan file, and levels at or above 4.0 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) will need to be addressed before closing.2US EPA. The EPA Map of Radon Zones
Ask your loan officer early whether they require radon testing. Getting the answer upfront prevents surprises during underwriting that could push your closing date. If the lender requires a test and results come back above the EPA’s action threshold, mitigation usually has to be completed, along with a post-mitigation retest showing acceptable levels, before the lender will clear the file to close.
What a Qualifying Radon Test Looks Like
Radon testing in a real estate transaction typically uses short-term test devices placed in the lowest livable area of the home for 48 to 96 hours. The tester sets the devices, confirms that windows and exterior doors remain closed except for normal entry and exit, and retrieves them for analysis.
For the results to carry weight in a mortgage transaction, the test should be performed by a professional holding a credential from the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP), which is recognized by the EPA and accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board. NRPP-certified professionals must demonstrate competence every two years and follow ANSI/AARST measurement standards.3NRPP. Home Common credentials include the Radon Measurement Field Technician (RMFT) designation. Many states also maintain their own licensing for radon professionals.
A professional radon inspection generally costs a few hundred dollars, though prices vary by region and home size. Inexpensive do-it-yourself kits exist at hardware stores, but a lender that mandates testing will almost certainly require a professional report.
If Radon Levels Come Back High
The EPA recommends taking action when indoor radon reaches or exceeds 4 pCi/L, and considering mitigation for levels between 2 and 4 pCi/L.2US EPA. The EPA Map of Radon Zones High radon is not a dealbreaker. It is a fixable condition.
The most common solution is a sub-slab depressurization system. It creates a slight vacuum beneath the foundation, pulling radon gas out before it enters the living space and venting it above the roofline through a PVC pipe with a powered fan. Installation in a typical single-family home generally runs between $800 and $2,500, depending on foundation type, the number of suction points needed, and local labor rates. A follow-up test confirms the system brought levels below the action threshold. If your lender required the initial test, they will want the post-mitigation results before closing too.
Who pays is negotiable. Buyers often ask the seller to complete the work before closing or to reduce the sale price by the estimated mitigation cost. Neither the VA nor federal law dictates which party covers the expense. It comes down to what goes into the purchase agreement.
State Disclosure Rules Still Apply
Several states require sellers to disclose known radon test results or radon hazards as part of a residential sale. Those obligations exist under state law and do not depend on the type of financing. Whether you are using a VA loan or paying cash, the seller’s duty to disclose does not change. Review the seller’s disclosure form carefully and ask whether any previous radon testing was done. A seller who tested years ago, found elevated levels, and never mitigated should not be a surprise you discover after closing.
Testing Voluntarily Is Still Worth It
The VA dropping its radon requirement does not mean radon stopped being a health concern. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, and it enters homes through cracks in foundations, gaps around pipes, and any opening where the building contacts the soil. It is colorless and odorless. You will not know it is there without a test.
Spending a few hundred dollars on a professional test during your inspection period is a reasonable investment even without a lender mandate. If levels are elevated, you can negotiate mitigation into the deal while you still have leverage. Discover the problem after closing and the entire cost falls on you.