Winter Cold Emergency Response
Licensed Mold Assessment and Remediation Companies
Assessment Requirements Waived. The requirement that a mold remediation project have an assessment is waived for the duration of the governor’s disaster declaration (Feb. 12, 2021, and extended on March 15, 2021). This waiver applies to mold remediation projects conducted by in-state and out-of-state mold remediators for the duration of the declaration.
Unlicensed and Out-of-State Mold Remediation Companies
Licensure requirements for unlicensed and out-of-state mold remediation companies are waived for the duration of the governor's disaster declaration. The declaration covers all 254 Texas counties.
Unlicensed and out-of-state mold remediation companies who wish to work in Texas during the disaster declaration may do so if they register with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).
No fee will be assessed for this registration. Note: if you registered with Department of State Health Services during the Hurricane Harvey disaster declaration period, you do not need to register again with TDLR.
Companies wanting to register can do so by emailing TDLR. Please select Mold Assessors and Remediators as the program to email. Fill in the required contact information, and in the message section, please include:
- Proof of business registration in another state or a Texas Secretary of State Tax ID number;
- A list of all employees working in the impacted areas;
- Verification of training for all employees; and
- Proof of liability insurance
Please note:
- Registration will be considered complete when all the information has been sent to the program.
- A response from TDLR is not necessary for companies to begin serving in the applicable counties.
Project Notifications
During the disaster declaration and any extension, notification of mold remediation projects is voluntary. This applies only in the counties listed in the governor’s disaster declaration.
Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation
Entities or persons who do not have a Texas license to perform assessment or remediation MAY NOT sign a Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation (CMDR). A registration is NOT a Texas license. Only mold assessment consultants and mold remediation contractors with a current Texas license may sign the CMDR's top section and only if the Texas Mold Assessment and Remediation Rules (TMARR) are followed in their entirety.
A mold assessment consultant licensed by Texas may sign the bottom of the CMDR after inspecting a property and finding no evidence of mold damage.
Inspection and Enforcement
Registered and licensed mold remediators are subject to unannounced inspections, and safety violations are subject to enforcement actions including administrative penalties and revocation of registration and/or licensure.
FAQs: Winter Emergency Response-Related Mold Remediation
1. What is the difference between a licensed mold contractor and one that is not licensed?
A mold remediation contractor licensed in Texas has met licensing requirements for training, education and experience. Additionally, licensees have proven their knowledge of the profession by passing a state examination. Texas licensed mold remediation contractors and mold assessment consultants can issue a Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation (CMDR). The CMDR, a form developed by Texas Department of Insurance, is used to verify that the mold has been properly remediated and that the underlying causes of mold have been corrected.
In response to Governor Greg Abbott’s Winter Cold Emergency Response disaster proclamation, out-of-state and/or unlicensed persons are currently allowed to perform mold remediation. However, they are not able to certify a home or building is free of mold damage using the CMDR form.
Unlicensed companies are required to register with TDLR.
2. Can unlicensed entities or persons performing mold-related activities in Texas complete the Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation (CMDR)?
No. Entities or persons who are not licensed in the state of Texas may not sign or issue a Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation (CMDR). Only a Texas licensed mold remediator and licensed mold assessment consultant may sign the top section of the CMDR and only if assessment and remediation is conducted and performed in accordance with the rules. However, the bottom section of the form may be signed by a Texas licensed mold assessment consultant for projects that are not required to be conducted in accordance with the rules, but for which the consultant performs an inspection and determines there is no mold damage present.
3. I’m an out-of-state/unlicensed mold remediator registered with TDLR to help with the Winter Cold Emergency Response recovery efforts. How long may I offer to perform remediation services in Texas?
A registered out-of-state/unlicensed mold remediator may provide remediation services up until the expiration of Governor Abbott’s disaster proclamation for the county in which remediation is performed. Registered mold remediators will be allowed to complete projects started prior to the expiration of the disaster proclamation.
For more information regarding the disaster proclamation, please visit the Office of the Texas Governor website.
