When mold appears in a home or commercial property, people often ask the same question:
“Can the same company test for mold and then do the remediation too?”
It seems convenient—but in most cases, especially in states like Florida, it’s not allowed.
Let’s break down what the law says, why it matters, and when there’s an important exception for minor mold issues under 10 square feet.
⚖️ What the Law Says
In Florida and many other states that follow strict mold regulations:
- Mold testing (air, surface, bulk samples, etc.) is considered part of a mold assessment.
- By law, the same person or company cannot perform both the assessment and the remediation on the same property.
- Even if you don’t call it a “formal assessment,” simply collecting data or performing any type of mold testing disqualifies you from doing the remediation.
🧠 Why the Rules Exist
This law protects homeowners and business owners from a potential conflict of interest. If one company were allowed to test for mold and do the remediation, there’s a financial incentive to find a bigger problem than actually exists.
Requiring a third-party, licensed mold assessor to perform the inspection ensures:
- Unbiased evaluations
- Transparent remediation plans
- Better protection for clients and their properties
✅ The Proper (Legal) Process
Here’s how to handle a mold situation the right way:
- Hire a licensed mold assessor to inspect the property and take samples.
- The assessor provides a full mold report and a detailed remediation protocol.
- A separate licensed mold remediator follows the protocol to perform the remediation.
- The assessor returns to perform post-remediation verification (PRV) or clearance testing.
This process protects all parties and ensures full compliance with Florida law.
🟨 But What About the 10-Square-Foot Exception?
Here’s the key detail that many professionals overlook:
If the total mold growth is under 10 square feet, the strict licensing rules typically do not apply.
This is based on EPA guidelines and is recognized in Florida and most other states with mold licensing regulations.
🔍 What This Means
If the affected area is small and isolated—like a patch under a sink or around an A/C vent—you’re allowed to:
- Test and remediate the mold yourself, even if you’re not a licensed mold assessor.
- Skip the third-party protocol, because the law considers it a minor mold issue.
⚠️ But Be Careful…
The 10 sq ft rule only applies if:
- The mold is not spread across multiple rooms or areas.
- The source is minor (like humidity or a small leak).
- There are no special risks, like contamination from sewage (Category 3) water.
- The mold is not inside HVAC systems or air ducts.
If any of the above are true, then you must follow the full legal process—no exceptions.
📋 Example Scenario
Let’s say a tenant reports a small patch of mold behind a toilet, roughly 2 ft x 2 ft. If there are no other signs of mold elsewhere and no Category 3 water involved, you can test and remediate that yourself, legally.
But if another patch is found in the kitchen, and another in the A/C closet, adding up to over 10 sq ft in total, then it becomes a regulated project, and you cannot legally perform both the testing and the remediation.
🧑🔧 At Sir Clean, We Stay Compliant
We follow the law to protect our clients and our business. If we’ve already performed testing on a property, we step back from the remediation and refer a trusted licensed company. And if we’re asked to remediate, we make sure a third-party licensed assessor creates the protocol first.
We’re also happy to handle small mold jobs under 10 sq ft, safely and legally, for our clients who need quick solutions without the red tape.
📞 Need Mold Help or Advice?
Whether you’re dealing with a minor mold issue or a full-scale remediation project, we’re here to help.
📱 Call Sir Clean at 833-US-CLEAN
🌐 Visit us at www.sirclean.com
We’ll guide you step by step—from assessment to clearance—ensuring everything is handled legally, professionally, and with your safety in mind.
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