Texas Mold Remediation: Licensing and Requirements

Texas Regulation

Jurisdiction: Texas. Topic: remediation. Legal status: binding.

Texas mold remediation licensing rules: 25 sq ft threshold, contractor requirements, exemptions, and TDLR oversight.

This page covers Texas-specific mold remediation regulations enforced by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), including licensing thresholds, contractor requirements, exemptions, and consumer protections.

What is the Texas 25 square foot rule for mold?

Also asked: Texas mold cleanup threshold | 25 sq ft mold rule Texas | When is a mold license required in Texas | Texas mold remediation minimum area | Mold cleanup without license Texas

Bottom line: Areas of visible mold less than 25 contiguous square feet can be cleaned by unlicensed persons; 25 sq ft or more requires a licensed Mold Remediator in residential properties with 10+ units.

Under Texas Occupations Code §1958.102, the 25 contiguous square feet threshold determines when licensing is required. Projects affecting less than 25 contiguous square feet of visible mold qualify for exemption only if performed by persons who are not licensed to conduct mold remediation. For residential properties with 10 or more units, remediation of 25 contiguous square feet or more of visible mold must be conducted by a licensed Mold Remediator.

Small areas of mold growth (less than 25 contiguous square feet) can be cleaned/removed by an owner or by maintenance staff without licensing requirements.

Summary: - <25 sq ft: No license required for cleanup - ≥25 sq ft: Licensed Mold Remediator required (10+ unit residential properties) - Owner/maintenance staff can clean <25 sq ft areas - Measurement based on contiguous visible mold area

When do I need a licensed mold remediator in Texas?

Also asked: Texas mold contractor requirement | Licensed mold remediation Texas | When to hire mold professional Texas | Texas mold cleanup licensing | Mold remediation contractor needed Texas

Bottom line: You need a licensed Mold Remediator for 25+ contiguous square feet of visible mold in residential properties with 10+ units, or when hiring any mold remediation contractor regardless of size.

According to TDLR requirements, a licensed Mold Remediation Contractor (MRC) must comply with licensing requirements when hired by consumers, regardless of the size of the area affected by mold contamination. However, the specific threshold requiring licensed remediation is 25 contiguous square feet or more of visible mold in residential properties with 10 or more units.

Certain exemptions apply for buildings containing less than 10 rental units, including houses. Homeowners and building owners can perform their own mold remediation under exemptions in Occupations Code §1958.102 and 16 TAC §78.30(b)-(d).

Summary: - Required: 25+ sq ft in 10+ unit residential properties - Required: Any size when hiring professional contractor - Exempt: <10 unit buildings, homeowners doing own work - Exempt: <25 sq ft areas

How do I verify a Texas mold contractor license?

Also asked: Check Texas mold license | Texas mold contractor verification | TDLR license lookup mold | Verify mold remediation license Texas | Texas mold assessor license check

Bottom line: TDLR maintains license records for all mold professionals; verify current licensing status before hiring any mold assessment or remediation contractor.

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) regulates and licenses persons and companies who inspect and test for mold (mold assessment) and those who clean up and remove mold (mold remediation). All licensed mold professionals must maintain an office in Texas with a street address when licensed under this chapter.

Licensees include Mold Assessment Technicians, Mold Assessment Consultants, Mold Assessment Companies, Mold Remediation Contractors, Mold Remediation Companies, and Mold Analysis Laboratories. TDLR conducts criminal history background checks on all applicants as part of the licensing process.

Summary: - TDLR regulates all mold licensing in Texas - Licensees must maintain Texas office address - Background checks required for all applicants - Six license categories exist under TDLR oversight

What insurance must Texas mold contractors have?

Also asked: Texas mold contractor insurance requirements | Mold remediation insurance Texas | Commercial liability insurance mold Texas | TDLR mold insurance requirements | Mold contractor coverage Texas

Bottom line: Mold contractors must maintain commercial general liability insurance of at least $1 million per occurrence, with employer net worth of $1 million minimum for self-insured entities.

Employers of mold remediation contractors must maintain a commercial general liability insurance policy in the amount of at least $1 million per occurrence. For non-governmental entities considered 'self-insured,' the employer must have a net worth of at least $1 million, verified through a signed affidavit.

Applicants must provide a copy of their employer's certificate of insurance as evidence of meeting insurance requirements. Currently unemployed applicants must provide required proof of insurance coverage to the department before performing mold-related activities.

Summary: - Minimum $1 million commercial general liability per occurrence - Self-insured employers need $1 million net worth - Insurance proof required with license application - Unemployed applicants must show coverage before working

Can I do my own mold remediation in Texas?

Also asked: Texas homeowner mold remediation | DIY mold cleanup Texas | Owner mold remediation Texas | Texas mold exemption homeowner | Cleaning mold yourself Texas

Bottom line: Homeowners and building owners can perform their own mold remediation under specific exemptions, but cannot issue a Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation (CMDR).

Texas law provides several exemptions allowing unlicensed mold remediation. Homeowners/building owners can perform their own mold remediation under exemptions in Occupations Code §1958.102 and 16 TAC §78.30(b)-(d). Areas of visible mold less than 25 contiguous square feet can be cleaned by any unlicensed person.

However, unlicensed workers (including homeowners) cannot issue a Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation (CMDR). Builders, their employees, or subcontractors working under the homebuilder construction and improvement exemption can perform remediation without licenses but cannot issue CMDRs.

Summary: - Homeowners can do own remediation under exemptions - <25 sq ft areas: No license required - Cannot issue CMDR without proper licensing - Builder exemption exists for warranty work

Who regulates mold remediation in Texas?

Also asked: Texas mold regulatory agency | Who oversees mold remediation Texas | Texas mold licensing authority | Mold regulation Texas | TDLR mold oversight

Bottom line: The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) regulates mold assessment and remediation licensing, while EPA enforces the RRP Program Rule for lead-based paint disturbances.

TDLR regulates and licenses all mold assessment and remediation activities in Texas. The agency oversees six license categories: Mold Assessment Technicians, Mold Assessment Consultants, Mold Assessment Companies, Mold Remediation Contractors, Mold Remediation Companies, and Mold Analysis Laboratories.

For projects disturbing existing paint in pre-1978 constructed homes or child-occupied facilities, EPA enforces the RRP Program Rule requiring Renovator and Renovation Firm certifications. TDLR does not have authority to require landlords or property owners to clean up mold.

Summary: - TDLR: Primary mold licensing authority - EPA: RRP Program Rule enforcement (pre-1978 properties) - Six license categories under TDLR - No authority to mandate mold cleanup

What are Texas mold remediation standards?

Also asked: Texas mold cleanup requirements | Mold remediation rules Texas | Texas mold work standards | TDLR mold remediation protocol | Texas mold remediation procedures

Bottom line: Licensed contractors must follow minimum work practices, provide Consumer Mold Information Sheet before work, and develop work plans following protocols from licensed Mold Assessment Consultants.

Licensed Mold Remediation Contractors must follow minimum work practices and provide the Consumer Mold Information Sheet (CMIS) to clients and property owners prior to initiating any mold-related activity. MRCs must develop a work plan that follows a protocol developed by a licensed Mold Assessment Consultant (MAC).

Mold remediators must provide the certificate of mold damage remediation (CMDR) to property owners upon completion. Licensed consultants should conduct post-remediation assessments to determine if projects achieve clearance, though this is recommended rather than required.

Summary: - Minimum work practices required for licensed contractors - CMIS must be provided before work begins - Work plans must follow MAC protocols - CMDR issued to property owners upon completion

What is the difference between mold assessment and remediation in Texas?

Also asked: Texas mold assessment vs remediation | Mold inspection vs cleanup Texas | Texas mold testing and removal | Difference between mold assessor and remediator | Texas mold roles

Bottom line: Mold assessment involves collecting samples to determine mold presence; mold remediation involves cleaning up and removing mold contamination.

Under Texas regulations, mold assessment is defined as collecting air or visible spore samples to determine the presence of mold. Mold Assessment Technicians and Consultants perform these inspection and testing activities.

Mold remediation involves cleaning up and removing mold contamination, performed by Mold Remediation Contractors and Companies. A critical restriction: license holders cannot conduct both assessment and remediation activities on the same project, unless employed by a school district working on district projects.

Summary: - Assessment: Sampling and inspection for mold presence - Remediation: Cleaning and removing mold contamination - Same licensee cannot do both on one project (school district exception) - Separate license categories for each activity

Can the same company do mold testing and remediation in Texas?

Also asked: Texas mold testing and removal same company | Same contractor assessment and remediation Texas | Texas mold assessor remediator same project | Mold inspection and cleanup same company Texas

Bottom line: Generally prohibited - license holders cannot conduct both mold assessment and remediation on the same project, with a narrow exception for school district employees.

Texas law prohibits holders of both mold assessment and mold remediation licenses from conducting both activities on the same project. This separation prevents conflicts of interest in mold evaluation and remediation.

The only exception applies to license holders employed by a school district who are working on projects for that school district. This allows educational institutions to use in-house staff for complete mold projects.

Summary: - Prohibited: Same licensee doing both on one project - Exception: School district employees on district projects - Prevents conflicts of interest - Maintains independent assessment of remediation success

How do I find a licensed mold remediator in Texas?

Also asked: Find Texas mold contractor | Licensed mold remediation companies Texas | Texas mold remediator search | TDLR mold contractor directory | Texas mold professional locator

Bottom line: TDLR maintains license records for all mold professionals; verify current licensing through TDLR before hiring any mold assessment or remediation contractor.

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation oversees licensing for all mold professionals in six categories: Mold Assessment Technicians, Mold Assessment Consultants, Mold Assessment Companies, Mold Remediation Contractors, Mold Remediation Companies, and Mold Analysis Laboratories.

All licensees must maintain an office in Texas with a street address. When searching for contractors, verify their current license status through TDLR and ensure they carry the required $1 million commercial general liability insurance.

Summary: - TDLR maintains all mold professional licenses - Six license categories available - Texas office address required for all licensees - Insurance verification recommended before hiring

Applicable Federal Regulations

In addition to federal EPA guidelines for mold cleanup after floods, Texas mold remediation contractors must be aware of the EPA RRP Program Rule when disturbing existing paint in pre-1978 constructed homes or child-occupied facilities. This requires certifications as "Renovator" and "Renovation Firm" with eight-hour RRP courses and five-year certification validity periods. EPA enforces this rule in Texas, not TDLR.

Sources and Limitations

This content is based solely on Texas Occupations Code, TDLR regulations, and agency guidance regarding mold licensing and remediation requirements. All requirements are legally binding unless specified as advisory. This content does not cover local building codes, insurance claim procedures, or health effects of mold exposure beyond regulatory requirements.

Common Misconceptions

Common Questions

Sources