Indoor Health & Safety Specialist (IHS)

Let’s face it… buyers today care about more than just granite counters and good school districts. Health and safety inside the home are becoming top priorities, and this designation gives real estate professionals the edge. The Indoor Health & Safety Specialist (IHS) designation dives deep into the most common (and often overlooked) environmental health concerns that can derail a deal, or worse, harm a family after move-in.

This designation is made up of six focused courses:

1. Lead – Learn the serious health effects of lead exposure, how to handle disclosures for pre-1978 homes, and how to talk about lead in paint, pipes, and soil without scaring off your buyer.
2. Asbestos – Discover where asbestos is hiding, when it becomes dangerous, and how to guide clients through testing and remediation options.
3. Allergens, Asthma, and Mold – Understand the triggers that can turn a showing into a sneeze-fest, and how to help sensitive clients find (or create) healthier homes.
4. Air Quality and Carbon Monoxide – Gain knowledge about indoor air pollutants and carbon monoxide risks, plus learn how to highlight clean-air features as a selling point.
5. Radon and VOCs – From radioactive gas to off-gassing materials, this course gives you the confidence to explain what’s dangerous, what’s fixable, and what’s just misunderstood.
6. Pesticides – Explore how common household pesticide use impacts indoor air, health, and disclosures, especially when it comes to families with kids and pets.

The IHS designation is about hazard awareness, yes. But, it’s also about becoming knowledgeable on one of the most important aspects of any home, which is how it affects the people living in it.

Designation Requirements

Students must complete all six units, which will take approximately six hours of study time. Each unit is made up of reading material, tips and tricks, small assessment activities, a review video, and an end-of-unit quiz. Progress is saved if you need to take a break. 

After completing all course activities, a certificate recognizing your newfound knowledge of Indoor Health and Safety will be emailed to your registered email address within 1 business day.