Any contractor can claim to be licensed, certified, and insured. Legitimate contractors can prove it. Unscrupulous ones are counting on you not to check.
Here is a 10-minute verification process that separates real credentials from claimed ones.
Step 1: Verify IICRC Certification (2 minutes)
Go to iicrc.org and click "Find a Professional." Search by company name or technician name.
A legitimate IICRC-certified company will appear with their certification type and status. For mold work, look for AMRT (Applied Microbial Remediation Technician). WRT (Water Damage Restoration Technician) is also relevant.
If the company claims certification but doesn't appear in the database, their certification may have lapsed or the claim may be false. Ask them to explain.
Step 2: Check State Licensing (3 minutes)
Several states require specific licenses for mold remediation — including Florida, Texas, New York, Louisiana, Illinois, Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC.
Search "[your state] contractor license lookup" to find the public database. Confirm the company's license is active and in good standing.
An unlicensed contractor in a licensed state is breaking the law. Do not hire them regardless of price or reviews.
Step 3: Verify Insurance (3 minutes)
Ask for a Certificate of Insurance showing:
General liability insurance — covers property damage during the job. Minimum $1 million per occurrence is standard for residential work.
Workers' compensation insurance — covers injuries to workers on your property. Without it, you may be liable if a worker is injured on your job site.
A legitimate contractor provides this document immediately. Call the insurance agent directly to confirm the policy is active.
Step 4: Check Reviews and Complaint History (2 minutes)
Search the company on the BBB. Note their rating and how they responded to complaints — responsiveness matters more than whether complaints exist.
Sort Google reviews by "Newest" to see recent feedback. Look for patterns: recurring complaints about upselling, incomplete work, or mold returning are significant.
What to Ask the Contractor
- "Are your technicians IICRC-certified? Which certifications?"
- "Are you licensed in this state for mold remediation? What's your license number?"
- "Can you send me a Certificate of Insurance today?"
- "Do you recommend an independent clearance test after the job?"
A contractor who gets defensive about these questions or discourages independent clearance testing is giving you important information.
The Bottom Line
Ten minutes of verification separates contractors who can prove their credentials from those just claiming them. IICRC database, state license lookup, and Certificate of Insurance are the three non-negotiable checks. Do all three before you sign anything.