Do Tennessee rentals, schools and child care centers have to test for radon?

No. We found no Tennessee law requiring landlords to test rental homes, and state law encourages but doesn't require schools to test. A 2017 bill to require testing in licensed child care centers didn't pass (Tennessee radon laws). Renters and parents can still find out: renters can test their own unit, and parents can ask a school or center for its results.

Can I test for radon if I rent?

Yes. Tennessee residents can order a free test kit from the Tennessee Radon Program or call 1-800-232-1139. Radon is usually highest on the lowest floors, so testing matters most if you live on a ground floor, in a garden-level unit or in a house with a basement. CDC advises placing the test on the lowest level of your own unit (CDC).

What if my rental tests high?

Share the result with your landlord in writing and ask about a fix. We found no Tennessee statute that requires a landlord to reduce radon, so the response depends on your lease and your landlord. Confirm a high short-term result with a second test first. See what your result means.

Do Tennessee schools have to test for radon?

No. Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-121 encourages school districts to run an indoor air quality program, such as EPA's IAQ Tools for Schools, that may include radon, but it doesn't require radon testing (Tennessee radon laws). Parents can ask their district whether its schools have been tested, when, and what the results were.

Do child care centers have to test for radon?

No. A 2017 bill would have required licensed child care agencies to test for radon every five years, but it was deferred and didn't pass (SB 412; HB 627). Parents can ask a center whether it has tested.

Does my county or city have its own rule?

Rules for public buildings are rare. Metro Nashville's Board of Health Regulation No. 9, adopted in 1989, called for radon surveys of Metro public buildings; whether it's enforced today isn't confirmed. See the Davidson County guide and your own county guide.

Next step: Order a free kit from the Tennessee Radon Program →

Sources: Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-121 · SB 412 (Plural Policy) · HB 627 (Plural Policy) · CDC – Testing for Radon · Tennessee Radon Program

Last reviewed October 22, 2026 by the Tennessee Radon Authority editorial team. How we research.