Texas Mold Rules and Contractor Licensing, Explained

1. Texas Does Not Require a State License for Mold Remediation

Texas does not issue state licenses specifically for mold remediation work. Unlike plumbers, electricians, or HVAC technicians, mold remediation contractors are not required to hold a state-issued occupational license to perform mold removal or remediation services in Waco or elsewhere in Texas.

This means you will not be able to look up a contractor's "mold remediation license" through a state database. Anyone can legally offer mold remediation services in Texas without passing a state exam or meeting state-mandated training requirements for the work itself.

Because there is no licensing requirement, it becomes especially important for property owners to verify other credentials, insurance, and references when selecting a contractor.

2. Texas Mold Assessment and Remediation Rules

While Texas does not license mold remediation contractors, the state does regulate mold assessment consultants and mold remediation companies through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).

The TDLR administers the Texas Mold Assessment and Remediation Rules under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1958. These rules create a registration system, but registration is only required in specific situations based on the size and scope of the project.

Registration with TDLR is required when a mold remediation project involves a total surface area of 25 contiguous square feet or more. For projects smaller than 25 contiguous square feet, there is no state registration requirement.

If your project meets or exceeds that threshold, the company performing the work should be registered with TDLR as a mold remediation company. You can verify this registration on the TDLR website.

Similarly, if your project requires a mold assessment or inspection, the individual performing that assessment must hold a TDLR mold assessment consultant license if the affected area is 25 contiguous square feet or more.

It is important to understand that mold assessment and mold remediation must be performed by different parties when both services are needed on projects above the threshold. A company that performs your mold inspection generally cannot also perform the remediation work on the same project. This separation is intended to prevent conflicts of interest.

3. Insurance Requirements You Should Verify

Texas law requires mold remediation companies registered with TDLR to maintain general liability insurance. The statute specifies minimum coverage amounts, but these amounts can change and should be verified with TDLR or confirmed in writing by any contractor you are considering.

Before hiring any mold remediation contractor, you should ask for proof of current insurance and verify the coverage directly with the insurance company. Request a certificate of insurance that names the types and amounts of coverage.

At minimum, you should look for general liability insurance that would cover property damage or injuries that occur during the remediation work. Depending on the size of your project and your risk tolerance, you may want to see higher coverage limits than the state minimum.

Ask whether the contractor carries workers' compensation insurance if they have employees. If a worker is injured on your property and the contractor does not carry workers' compensation coverage, you could potentially face liability.

Do not accept a contractor's word that they are insured. Call the insurance company listed on any certificate and confirm that the policy is active and covers the dates of your project.

4. Local Permits and Inspections in Waco

Mold remediation work itself does not typically require a separate permit from the City of Waco. However, if the remediation involves construction work—such as removing drywall, repairing framing, electrical work, or plumbing repairs—those activities may require building permits.

The City of Waco Development Services Department handles building permits and inspections. Whether a permit is required depends on the scope of work. Minor repairs may not trigger permit requirements, while larger reconstruction projects almost certainly will.

If your contractor tells you that no permits are needed, you should verify this yourself by describing the planned work to the city's permit office. Performing work that requires a permit without obtaining one can create problems when you sell your home or file an insurance claim.

Any contractor performing work that requires a permit must be appropriately licensed for that trade. For example, if your remediation project requires electrical repairs, the person doing that work must hold a Texas electrician license.

McLennan County does not have separate mold-specific permit requirements beyond what the City of Waco requires within city limits. If your property is located in an unincorporated area of McLennan County, you should check with the county regarding any applicable permit requirements for construction-related work.

5. Federal Lead-Safe Work Rules

If your property was built before 1978 and the mold remediation work will disturb painted surfaces, federal lead-safe work practice rules may apply.

The Environmental Protection Agency's Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP Rule) requires that contractors working on pre-1978 homes and child-occupied facilities be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead paint contamination.

If your home was built before 1978 and the remediation involves disturbing more than six square feet of painted surfaces per room, or more than 20 square feet of painted surfaces on the exterior, the contractor must be EPA RRP certified.

You can verify a contractor's EPA lead-safe certification through the EPA website. The contractor should also provide you with the EPA pamphlet "Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers and Schools" before work begins.

Failure to follow lead-safe work practices can create serious health hazards, particularly for children, and can result in federal fines for the contractor. As a property owner, you should ensure compliance to protect your family and avoid potential liability.

6. What to Ask Any Contractor Before Hiring

Because state licensing does not exist for mold remediation in Texas, you need to take additional steps to verify that a contractor is qualified and legitimate.

Ask whether the company is registered with TDLR if your project meets the 25-square-foot threshold. Request the registration number and verify it yourself on the TDLR website.

Request proof of insurance and verify it directly with the insurance carrier. Do not rely solely on a certificate that the contractor provides; confirm that the policy is current.

Ask for references from recent projects similar to yours, and follow up with those references. Ask the references whether the work was completed as promised, on schedule, and whether they experienced any problems.

Ask what protocols and standards the contractor follows. Reputable contractors often reference guidelines published by organizations such as the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), the American Industrial Hygiene Association, or the Environmental Protection Agency. While following these guidelines is not legally required in most cases, it indicates a commitment to professional standards.

Get a detailed written contract that specifies the scope of work, the areas to be remediated, the methods to be used, the timeline, the cost, and payment terms. The contract should also address how unexpected discoveries will be handled and whether the price could change.

Ask how the contractor will contain the work area to prevent cross-contamination to other parts of your home. Proper containment is a critical part of mold remediation.

Ask whether the contractor will provide post-remediation verification, and if so, who will perform it. Remember that the company doing the remediation should not be the same company doing the verification testing if your project is above the 25-square-foot threshold.

7. How to Verify Everything Yourself

You can verify TDLR registration for mold remediation companies and mold assessment consultants by visiting the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation website at www.tdlr.texas.gov. Use their online license search tool to look up a company or individual by name or registration number.

To verify EPA lead-safe certification, visit the EPA website and search for the contractor's certification. You can also call the EPA's lead information hotline.

To check on local permit requirements in Waco, contact the City of Waco Development Services Department. You can call them or visit their office to describe your project and ask whether permits are required. City staff can tell you what permits would be needed based on the work you describe.

If your property is outside Waco city limits, contact McLennan County to ask about county permit requirements.

To verify insurance, call the insurance company directly using a phone number you look up yourself, not one printed on the certificate the contractor provides. Give the insurer the policy number and ask them to confirm that coverage is active, what the coverage amounts are, and what the policy covers.

To verify a contractor's standing with the Better Business Bureau, visit the BBB website and search for the company name. While BBB ratings are not a substitute for verifying registration and insurance, they can provide additional information about complaints and how the company has responded.

You can check for any serious complaints or enforcement actions by searching the TDLR website for enforcement records and by checking with the Texas Attorney General's consumer protection division.

For technical questions about mold, health effects, or appropriate remediation methods, the Texas Department of State Health Services provides mold information and resources on their website.

Taking the time to verify credentials, registration, and insurance before hiring a contractor provides important protection for your property and your family. Because mold remediation is not licensed at the state level in Texas, these verification steps are your primary tools for distinguishing qualified, legitimate contractors from those who may not be.