The Environmental Protection Agency's voluntary Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools and Homes training program reached a 40 percent female enrollment rate in 2025, the highest in the program's 28-year history, according to EPA data released this month.
The program, which provides free online and in-person training on mold assessment, radon testing, volatile organic compound identification, and ventilation evaluation, has historically attracted a predominantly male audience of building inspectors and restoration contractors.
EPA Indoor Environments Division Director Lina Younes attributed the shift to targeted outreach to nursing schools, real estate associations, and women's professional networks in the construction trades. "Indoor air quality is fundamentally a public health issue," Younes said. "Women who come from healthcare or real estate backgrounds immediately understand why this training matters."
The program's mold assessment module, which aligns with IICRC S520 Standard for Professional Mold Remediation, saw the highest female enrollment of any module at 47 percent.
Participants who complete the full program receive a certificate of completion that is recognized by several state licensing boards as continuing education credit.
