Radon Testing in Omaha

Updated October 2026 · 7 public sources cited

Nebraska lets you test the home you live in yourself, but testing anyone else's property takes a DHHS license. Here's where Omaha-area residents get kits and how to read the result.

Where to get a kit

• Sarpy County (Bellevue, Papillion, La Vista, Gretna): free short-term kits from Sarpy/Cass Health Department.¹
• Douglas County (Omaha, Ralston, Bennington, Valley): Nebraska Public Media reported in 2025 that the county health department refers radon requests to the state.³ DHHS lists AccuStar, Air Chek, Alpha Energy Laboratories and RSSI Laboratories as kit sources and says hardware stores carry kits too.²
• Council Bluffs: Iowa's rules and resources apply on that side of the river.⁴

Who's allowed to test

DHHS says Nebraska lets individuals test the home they live in without a license. Testing another property has to be done by someone DHHS has licensed, and owning that property doesn't exempt you.² That matters for landlords and for home sales, where the buyer, seller and agent usually want a licensed measurement specialist.⁵

Short-term or long-term?

DHHS describes short-term tests as running 2 to 7 days. They're a cheap first screen with quick results. Long-term tests run from 3 months to a year and give a better average because they capture seasonal swings.² An Omaha basement in January can read very differently from the same room in July.

Setting the kit up right

• Use the lowest level you live in, not a crawl space or a closet.⁶
• Keep it at least 20 inches off the floor, away from drafts, exterior walls, kitchens and bathrooms.⁶
• For tests under four days, keep windows and outside doors shut for 12 hours beforehand and during the test.⁶
• Send it to the lab the day the test ends.⁶

Reading the number

EPA's action level is 4 pCi/L. If a first short-term test is at or above 4, EPA suggests a follow-up test. If it's more than twice that, do a second short-term test right away. Fix the home if a long-term result, or the average of two short-term tests, is 4 or higher.⁶ Given that more than half of Nebraska results exceed 4.0, don't be surprised by a high first reading.⁷

Your result counts

DHHS runs a radon dashboard and a reporting portal for test results, which feed the state's picture of where radon is high.⁷

Please note: Nebraska requires a DHHS license to provide radon measurement or mitigation services. This page is general information summarized from public agencies, not professional advice or a radon service. For a plan for your home, talk with a DHHS-licensed radon professional.