Do You Need a License to Remove Mold in Missouri?

Do you need a license to remove mold in Missouri?

We found no state mold license on the official pages we read. Missouri’s health department says that mold testing is not a regulated industry, and that neither Missouri nor the federal government certifies mold testers. That makes a “licensed mold company” claim hard to check, so you have to vet the contractor yourself.

Two cautions apply. First, that page speaks about mold testers, and we did not find an official statement on remediation licenses either way. Second, other rules can still apply to the job, such as asbestos rules when the work disturbs old materials. Check your city and county before you hire.

What does Missouri say about mold rules?

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) says there are no Missouri or federal laws that set limits or standards for what types or levels of mold exposure are healthy or unhealthy. It adds that mold testers may receive a business license. But since it is not a regulated industry, “no standards or levels of training are required to become ‘licensed.’”

Read that carefully. A business license shows a company can operate. DHSS says it sets no training standard for mold work. Treat any “licensed” badge as a start, not proof.

DHSS also says sampling is usually not needed when you can see mold, and that mold sampling does not assess health risk. In its words, “cleanup methods are the same regardless of the type of mold.” Our page on mold inspection explains when a look at hidden moisture is still worth it.

Why do other states ask for a mold license, and Missouri does not?

Each state decides for itself. Some regulate mold work and some do not. New York’s Department of Labor says it is unlawful to act as a mold assessor, remediation contractor or abatement worker without a valid mold license for that type of work. Louisiana’s contractor board says a mold remediation license is required when the value exceeds $7,500.

Those are two examples, not a full list. If you see a “state licensed” claim from a company in another state, it may be true there. It does not carry over. The Missouri health department page we read calls mold testing in Missouri “not a regulated industry,” and we found no Missouri state mold license on the official pages. Be wary of a badge that implies one.

Does a St. Louis business license matter?

A business license is a local permit to run a business. Missouri’s health department says that kind of license sets no mold training standard, so it does not prove mold skill. The City of St. Louis License Collector says a contracting business requires a Construction Industry Contractor Graduated Business License. That page covers construction contracting. We did not find an official City page that says whether a mold-only company falls under it.

If rebuild work is part of your job, ask the contractor which city or county license it holds for the address. You can also call the City License Collector at 314-622-4528 to ask which license applies. The City’s page says to call that office if you have questions about your business type.

What should you check in place of a license?

Check experience, method and proof. EPA says to make sure a contractor has experience cleaning up mold, check references, and ask the contractor to follow recommendations in EPA’s remediation guide or in guidelines from groups such as the ACGIH or the IICRC. Use this table when you compare bids.

Our guide to choosing a mold removal company has more on bids, and the mold remediation FAQs answer the common questions.

Is any other license needed when mold is in old walls?

It can be. Mold work often means tearing out drywall, plaster, tile or insulation in older homes. If any of that contains asbestos, Missouri DNR rules for demolition and renovation may apply. DNR says a Missouri certified asbestos inspector must inspect the areas to be renovated first. If 160 square feet, 260 linear feet or 35 cubic feet or more of regulated asbestos-containing material will be impacted, a Missouri registered asbestos abatement contractor must remove it.

DNR also says the inspection comes before the work starts, with a 10 working day notice for regulated asbestos projects. A single residential structure with four or fewer dwelling units is excepted, but converted buildings and projects with two or more residential structures are not. Our post on the Missouri 10 working day notice explains the rule, and our asbestos survey page covers the inspection. See the glossary entries on abatement vs remediation and mold remediation.

What should the contract say, since no license sets the standard?

Without a state license to lean on, the contract does the work. Ask for these items in writing before you pay a deposit:

1. The company’s full legal name, address and phone number, so you can look it up.
2. The size and location of the mold, and the plan to find hidden mold if more turns up.
3. The standard or guideline the crew will follow.
4. Containment and air handling for the work area. A glossary entry on the HEPA filter explains why final cleanup uses one.
5. What stays, what is removed and who rebuilds it.
6. How the crew shows the work is finished. EPA says that after remediation the site should show no signs of water damage or mold growth, and people should be able to occupy the space without health complaints. It adds that this is ultimately a judgment call.
7. What happens if mold returns, and who fixes the moisture source.

Call two or three companies, compare the written scopes and be wary of any bid that skips the cause of the water. A short phone call to your references costs nothing.

Can you do mold cleanup yourself?

For small patches, yes. EPA says that if the moldy area is under about 10 square feet, in most cases you can handle the job yourself. Above that, after a lot of water damage, or after sewage or contaminated water, EPA points to professional help. Read mold over 10 square feet for the full list of cases.

No license is needed for you to clean your own home. It is wise to fix the water source first, though, or the mold returns.

What about rentals and landlords?

DHSS gives renters a short path. Check the Missouri landlord-tenant law, send the landlord a written complaint, keep a copy, and ask city hall or the housing authority about local codes if the landlord refuses. DHSS notes that local codes vary across Missouri and do not address mold or its health effects directly. They address problems such as faulty plumbing and leaky roofs that promote mold growth. See our guide to mold in St. Louis rentals.

Next step

Hiring for mold work in St. Louis? Read our mold remediation page, then call (314) 865-2662 or use the contact form. AES quotes each job, and we answer your contractor questions before you sign.