Florida has specific licensing requirements for professionals who perform mold assessment or mold remediation for the public. The state regulates these services through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) under Chapter 468, Part XVI of the Florida Statutes. Understanding these requirements is important for property owners, facility managers, contractors, and anyone hiring a mold professional after water damage or a suspected mold problem.
Who Needs a Florida Mold License?
In general, a person offering mold assessment or mold remediation services to the public must comply with Florida’s mold-related services licensing laws. A mold assessor evaluates a property, including its history and physical conditions, and may perform sampling to determine the origin, location, identity, and extent of mold growth greater than 10 square feet. A mold remediator performs activities such as removing, cleaning, sanitizing, demolishing, or otherwise treating mold or mold-contaminated materials exceeding 10 square feet.
Florida does provide exemptions. For example, residential property owners may assess or remediate mold on their own property without obtaining a professional mold license. Certain employees working on property owned or managed by their employer may also qualify for exemptions, provided the employer is not operating a public mold-services business.
Education and Experience Requirements
Applicants must meet education and experience requirements, pass the required examination, and demonstrate good moral character.
For a mold remediator, applicants generally qualify through either:
- A two-year associate degree or equivalent with at least 30 semester hours in relevant scientific or technical subjects, plus one year of documented field experience related to mold remediation; or
- A high school diploma or equivalent plus at least four years of documented field experience related to mold remediation.
For a mold assessor, the comparable pathways require either the two-year degree and relevant coursework plus one year of documented experience in microbial sampling or investigations, or a high school diploma/equivalent plus four years of documented experience conducting microbial sampling or investigations.
Applicants must also submit electronic fingerprints for state and federal background processing.
Examination and Required Training
Florida requires applicants to pass an approved licensing examination. DBPR states that mold-related examinations are provided by nationally recognized organizations rather than being administered directly by the department. Applicants must also have documented training in water, mold, and respiratory protection.
Professionals licensed in another state may also qualify through Florida’s endorsement process if they meet the applicable requirements, including substantially equivalent licensing qualifications or other qualifying experience.
Insurance Requirements
Insurance is another important part of Florida mold licensing. A licensed mold assessor must maintain at least $1 million in general liability and errors-and-omissions insurance covering preliminary and post-remediation mold assessments. A mold remediator must maintain at least $1 million in general liability insurance, including coverage for mold-related claims.
License Renewal and Continuing Education
Florida mold-related services licenses are renewed every two years, with the regular expiration occurring July 31 of even-numbered years. Licensees must complete 14 hours of approved continuing education before renewal. The required education covers subjects related to mold services, including moisture intrusion, mold and respiratory protection, report writing, and standards of practice.
Important Separation Between Assessment and Remediation
Florida also places restrictions on conflicts of interest. Generally, a mold assessor or the assessor’s company cannot perform mold remediation on a property it assessed within the previous 12 months. Similarly, a mold remediator generally cannot perform the mold assessment for a property it remediated within the previous 12 months. Certain Division I certified contractors are subject to specific statutory exceptions.
Bottom Line
If you are hiring a mold professional in Florida, verify that the individual or company is properly licensed and insured for the services being provided. Ask for the professional’s DBPR license information, confirm that the license is active, and make sure the contractor has the appropriate insurance and training. For significant mold problems following roof leaks, flooding, plumbing failures, or other water intrusion, using properly qualified professionals can help ensure that assessment and remediation are performed in accordance with Florida requirements.
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