Mold licensing by state: FL, TX, NY, LA, TN, DC and the rest

Which states license mold assessors and remediators?

Most states don’t license mold work. A handful do, and their rules differ on who needs a license and when. The table below shows what we verified against state statutes and agency pages on 2026-10-19. Laws change, so confirm with the agency before you hire.

There is no federal license. EPA’s remediation guide says there are no EPA regulations or standards for airborne mold contaminants.

Florida: individual licenses, a 10 square foot line and a 12-month rule

Florida licenses people, not companies. The DBPR FAQ says, “Only individuals are licensed to perform these services.” When you look someone up, search the name of the person doing the work, not the business.

Threshold. The definitions of mold assessment and mold remediation in §468.8411 cover mold growth or mold-contaminated matter of “greater than 10 square feet.”

Separation of roles. Under §468.8419, an assessor may not remediate a structure they or their company assessed within the past 12 months. The same rule applies in reverse to remediators. Assessors and remediators also may not pay or accept compensation or other inducements from each other. DBPR says holding both licenses does not lift this restriction.

Insurance. Per DBPR, assessors must carry at least $1,000,000 in general liability and errors and omissions coverage. Remediators must carry at least $1,000,000 in general liability that specifically covers mold-related claims.

Penalties. Section 468.8419 makes a first violation a second-degree misdemeanor and a third or later violation a third-degree felony. It also bars unlicensed people from using titles like “licensed mold assessor” or “certified mold assessor.”

To report unlicensed activity, DBPR lists a toll-free line, 1-866-532-1440.

Texas: the 25 contiguous square foot rule

Texas licenses mold assessment and remediation through TDLR. Its license categories include mold assessment technicians, consultants and companies, mold remediation contractors and companies, registered remediation workers and mold analysis laboratories.

Threshold. Under Occupations Code §1958.102, no license is needed for remediation of less than 25 contiguous square feet. The statute also exempts owners, or their managing agents or employees, doing mold work on residential property they own with fewer than 10 dwelling units. Those exemptions don’t apply to anyone doing mold work for the public.

Separation of roles. TDLR says you may not conduct both mold assessment and remediation on the same project. Clearance requires a post-remediation assessment by a licensed consultant.

Certificate. Under §1958.154, the license holder must give the owner a Certificate of Mold Remediation within 10 days of finishing. An owner who sells must give the buyer copies of certificates issued in the previous five years.

Complaints go to TDLR’s complaint page.

New York: five license types and an independent assessment

New York’s mold program is run by the Department of Labor under Labor Law Article 32. The DOL FAQ lists five licenses: mold assessor, mold assessment contractor, mold remediation contractor, mold abatement worker supervisor and mold abatement worker. DOL says mold assessor licenses are valid for two years.

Threshold. A licensed “mold project” covers mold remediation, assessment or abatement of areas greater than 10 square feet. DOL says the mere presence of mold does not trigger any obligation to get an assessment.

Separation of roles. A remediator cannot work on a project without an assessment by a licensed assessor. No licensee may perform both mold assessment and remediation on the same property. The assessor writes the remediation plan, and the remediator writes a work plan you receive before work begins.

Owner exemptions. Labor Law §933 exempts a residential owner working on their own property and, in some cases, owners of small apartment buildings with four or fewer units. Owners of larger buildings have narrower exemptions. New York City adds its own landlord rules, covered in our tenant rights guide.

Louisiana: a contractor license above $7,500

Louisiana regulates mold remediation through the State Licensing Board for Contractors. The board says the classification requires 24 hours of board-approved training in mold remediation and assessment, and a license is required when the job’s value exceeds $7,500.

According to an Environmental Law Institute summary of the statutes, applicants must show workers’ compensation and liability insurance. Homeowners and tenants working on property they own or lease are exempt. The statute also bars a firm from providing both mold assessment and remediation on the same property, and requires a written report to the paying client.

We could not confirm from LSLBC’s pages whether Louisiana issues a separate mold assessor license. Ask the board, at 225-765-2301, if you need an assessor.

Washington, DC and Tennessee: verify before you rely on them

Washington, DC. D.C. Code §8-241.03 says no one may engage in the business of residential indoor mold assessment or remediation unless certified and licensed. DOEE says licenses are valid for two years. A landlord must hire a DOEE-licensed professional when mold covers more than 10 square feet. Under §8-241.04, landlords must inspect within 7 days of a tenant’s notice and remediate within 30 days of inspection. A 2021 amendment to §8-241.03 is marked as not yet implemented pending funding.

Tennessee. The state’s contractor classification outline lists “S-F Mold Remediation” as a specialty classification. The Department of Commerce and Insurance says a contractor’s license is required for projects of $25,000 or more. We did not find a separate mold-only threshold. Check with the Board for Licensing Contractors.

Virginia. Virginia repealed its mold inspector and remediator license effective July 1, 2012, according to R&R Magazine.

What if your state doesn’t license mold work?

Most states fall here. Anyone can call themselves a mold inspector or remediator, so you have to check more yourself.

Ask for training in mold remediation from a recognized body, such as the IICRC Applied Microbial Remediation Technician (AMRT) course. Ask for a written plan that follows the IICRC S520 standard. Our guide to IICRC certifications explains what each credential means. Remember that a certificate shows training, not a state license.

Then follow the same rules licensing states use. Hire an independent assessor first. Keep the assessor and the remediator separate. See mold assessors versus remediators. Require clearance testing before containment comes down. For a full vetting checklist, see how to choose a mold remediation company. For background on mold itself, visit the mold hub.