NRPP RMP study plan
NRPP RMP · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Radon Measurement Fundamentals and Physics
Define radon and describe its decay chain from Ra-226 through the short-lived progeny, naming each isotope and its half-life
Distinguish alpha from beta/gamma emissions and explain which emissions matter for detection versus dose
Explain the working level concept and compute equilibrium ratio between radon gas and its progeny
Draw and label a decay-chain diagram from memory, including which progeny are alpha emitters
Your checkpoint
One-page hand-drawn decay-chain diagram with half-lives and emission types, plus five worked equilibrium-ratio problems with answers
Radon Measurement Fundamentals and Physics & Radon Entry, Transport, and Building Dynamics
Describe soil-gas radon generation, emanation, and transport mechanisms (diffusion, advection, pressure-driven flow)
Identify the driving forces of stack effect, wind loading, and HVAC-induced depressurization on a building
List and explain the six major radon entry routes into a structure
Relate building construction type and foundation design to entry potential
Your checkpoint
Annotated cross-section sketch of a house showing all entry routes and pressure-driven flow arrows, with a written explanation of each driving force
Radon Entry, Transport, and Building Dynamics & Measurement Devices and Protocols
Compare passive and active measurement devices by principle of operation and deployment conditions
Explain charcoal adsorption, alpha-track, electret, and continuous monitor operation at a conceptual level
Match each device type to its intended test duration and use case
Describe proper placement, closed-house conditions, and device-handling requirements for a short-term test
Your checkpoint
Device-selection comparison table (device, principle, duration, use case, key limitation) with a short rationale paragraph for each recommendation
Measurement Devices and Protocols & Quality Assurance and Quality Control
Outline the steps of a complete short-term and long-term measurement protocol from deployment to retrieval to reporting
Explain spike, blank, duplicate, and cross-check measurements and what each controls for
Define precision, bias, accuracy, and uncertainty in the context of radon measurement
Calculate a relative percent difference and interpret duplicate results against a control limit
Your checkpoint
Mock QA/QC log for a 10-device deployment including blanks, duplicates, and a spike, with RPD calculations and pass/fail determinations
Quality Assurance and Quality Control
Describe device calibration, calibration traceability, and the role of a secondary calibration chamber
Identify sources of measurement uncertainty and classify each as random or systematic
Explain the purpose and structure of a written quality assurance project plan
Interpret control charts and determine when corrective action is triggered
Your checkpoint
A two-page draft QA project plan section covering device control, duplicate frequency, acceptance criteria, and corrective-action triggers
Regulations, Standards, and Ethics
Summarize the federal action level and its basis, and distinguish it from state-specific requirements
Outline the roles and responsibilities of measurement and mitigation professionals under national standards
Describe certification, continuing education, and ethical obligations including conflict of interest and data integrity
Explain recordkeeping and reporting requirements for measurement results
Your checkpoint
One-page compliance checklist mapping each regulatory and standard requirement to a concrete on-the-job action
Client Communication and Reporting & Regulations, Standards, and Ethics
Draft a client report that states results, units, action level comparison, uncertainty, and recommended next steps in plain language
Translate technical findings into lay explanations without overstating or understating risk
Identify ethical pitfalls in interpreting borderline results and in recommending mitigation
Practice explaining a result to a mock client and responding to common questions
Your checkpoint
A complete sample client report for a fictional property, plus three scripted client Q&A responses
Radon Measurement Fundamentals and Physics & Radon Entry, Transport, and Building Dynamics & Measurement Devices and Protocols & Quality Assurance and Quality Control & Regulations, Standards, and Ethics & Client Communication and Reporting
Integrate all six domains by working through mixed-topic practice scenarios
Identify and remediate the two weakest domains based on practice performance
Reconstruct key formulas, definitions, and regulatory thresholds from memory
Simulate a timed exam sitting and review every missed item
Your checkpoint
Timed full-length practice exam with a written error-analysis log and a targeted remediation plan for the two weakest domains
Milestones
Week 2: Can explain radon physics and building entry routes from memory without notes, and correctly label a decay-chain diagram
Week 4: Can select the correct device for any given test scenario and correctly compute duplicate RPD with a pass/fail judgment
Week 6: Scores at least 80% on a self-written mixed quiz covering domains 1-5
Week 8: Scores at least 80% on the timed practice exam with no domain below 70%