Tennessee radon laws: what's required and what isn't
Tennessee has few radon requirements. Home sellers must disclose radon problems they know about, but no one is required to test a home for radon, the state doesn't license radon testers or mitigators, and the statewide building code doesn't require radon-resistant construction. Some cities and counties set their own building codes, so local rules can differ.
This page is general information, not legal advice. For a specific situation, consult a Tennessee attorney or real estate professional.
At a glance
| Topic | Required in Tennessee? | Law or rule | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seller discloses known radon problems | Yes, for most 1–4 unit homes, unless the buyer waives disclosure | Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-5-201 et seq. | 2026-10-13 |
| Radon test during a home sale | No | None | 2026-10-13 |
| State license for radon testers or mitigators | No | None | 2026-10-13 |
| Radon-resistant construction in new homes (statewide) | No (some local codes adopt it, including Metro Nashville's and Brentwood's) | Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0780-02-23-.02 | 2026-10-13 |
| Radon testing in public schools | No (encouraged as part of indoor air quality programs) | Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-121 | 2026-10-13 |
| Radon testing in licensed child care | No (a 2017 bill to require it did not pass) | SB 412 / HB 627 (not enacted) | 2026-10-14 |
| Landlord radon testing or disclosure | No statute found | — | 2026-10-14 |
Do Tennessee home sellers have to disclose radon?
Yes, if they know about it. The Tennessee Residential Property Disclosure Act requires sellers of residential property with one to four dwelling units to give the buyer a disclosure statement covering known conditions, including environmental hazards such as radon gas (2025 Tennessee Radon Fact Sheet). The statute prescribes the form (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-5-210), and the standard disclosure form used in Tennessee transactions asks about radon gas specifically (Tennessee REALTORS® form).
Three points matter for buyers:
- Disclosure covers only what the seller knows. A seller who has never tested has nothing to disclose, so a "no" on the form doesn't mean the home has low radon.
- Buyers can waive disclosure. In that case the seller gives a disclaimer statement saying the property is sold as-is.
- Some sales are exempt. No disclosure form is required for the first sale of a new home when the builder offers a written warranty, for sales by an owner who hasn't lived in the home at any time in the three years before the sale, or for foreclosures, court-ordered sales, public auctions and transfers between family members, among others (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-5-209).
Read more: Tennessee radon disclosure law · radon when buying or selling.
Does Tennessee require a radon test when a home is sold?
No. Tennessee law doesn't require radon testing in residential real estate transactions. The state's cancer control plan lists advocating for mandatory testing in home sales as one of its strategies, which reflects that no such requirement exists (2025 Tennessee Radon Fact Sheet). Buyers can still choose to test during the inspection period.
Are radon testers and mitigators licensed in Tennessee?
No. Tennessee is not among the 20 states that require radon professionals to hold some form of proficiency credential (Indoor Environments Association, 2024), and AARST's 2023 report card lists no radon standards in effect in Tennessee (AARST).
That means anyone can offer radon testing or mitigation here. The Tennessee Radon Program recommends using certified professionals and points residents to the NRPP and NRSB directories (TDEC). Some commercial websites say Tennessee requires a radon license; we found no law or rule supporting that.
Read more: radon professional licensing in Tennessee.
Do new Tennessee homes have to be built radon-resistant?
Not under the statewide code. Tennessee's minimum code for one- and two-family homes is the 2018 International Residential Code with Appendix Q (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0780-02-23-.02; State Fire Marshal). The IRC's radon-control appendix is optional and applies only where a jurisdiction adopts it, and the state hasn't adopted it.
Some local governments enforce their own building codes and may adopt different editions or appendices. Two examples:
- Metro Nashville adopted the 2024 codes in July 2025, including the residential code's radon-control appendix, Appendix BE (BL2025-898).
- Brentwood enforces the 2018 residential code including Appendix F, the radon-control appendix in that edition (City of Brentwood). Nearby Nolensville and Thompson's Station have adopted it too; see Williamson County. La Vergne has as well, while neighboring Murfreesboro and Smyrna haven't; see Rutherford County.
The appendix has carried different letters: F through the 2018 edition, AF in 2021 and BE in 2024 (Environmental Law Institute). Neighboring towns can differ, even within one county, so check with the building department that issues permits for your address. Your county page lists verified local details.
Read more: Tennessee building codes and radon · radon and new construction.
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 address radon, but it doesn't require radon testing (2025 Tennessee Radon Fact Sheet). AARST's 2023 report card also lists no radon system requirement for new schools (AARST).
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 and show proof of testing to get or renew a license, but it was deferred to summer study in March 2017 and didn't pass (SB 412; HB 627).
Read more: Tennessee school radon rules.
Do landlords have to test rentals for radon?
We haven't found any Tennessee statute requiring landlords to test rental homes for radon or to share results with tenants. Renters can test their own unit with the free state kit; CDC advises placing the test on the lowest level of your unit (CDC).
Where can I check these rules myself?
- Tennessee Code (statutes): the official code is published through the Tennessee General Assembly; free copies are available on Justia.
- Building code rules: Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office
- Radon program questions: Tennessee Radon Program, 1-800-232-1139, TDEC.Radon@tn.gov
Next step: Order a free test kit so you know your home's level →
Sources: 2025 Tennessee Radon Fact Sheet (SOS Radon/CRCPD) · Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-5-210 · Tennessee REALTORS® disclosure form · Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0780-02-23-.02 · TN State Fire Marshal – Adopted Codes · Indoor Environments Association, 2024 · AARST Report Card: Tennessee, 2023 · Metro Nashville BL2025-898 · Environmental Law Institute · City of Brentwood – Codes Section · Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-5-209 · Tennessee Radon Program · NRPP · NRSB · SB 412 (Plural Policy) · HB 627 (Plural Policy)
Last reviewed October 17, 2026 by the Tennessee Radon Authority editorial team. How we research.