Is Mold Removal Licensed in Illinois?

Yes — Illinois requires mold remediation companies to register with the state.

Under the Mold Remediation Registration Act (SB 1087, effective January 1, 2025), mold remediation companies operating in Illinois must register with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). Registration requires proof of active third-party certification — IICRC, NORMI, or ACAC — and evidence of liability insurance. An unregistered company performing mold remediation in Illinois is violating state law. Note: The IDPH public contractor lookup database was not yet live as of early 2026. Ask any contractor directly for their IDPH registration number and verify with IDPH.

How to Verify a Illinois Mold Contractor

Ask any Illinois mold contractor for their IDPH registration number and verify it at dph.illinois.gov. Also ask for their third-party certification number (IICRC, NORMI, or ACAC) — registration requires one. A contractor who cannot provide both is either unregistered or registered without active certification.

IDPH Verification →

What to Require Beyond the License

A valid Illinois license is the starting point — not the complete picture. Licensed contractors can still perform substandard work or engage in predatory practices. Here is what to verify in addition to license status:

1

IICRC Certification

The industry standard certification for mold remediation. Verify directly at iicrc.org/certified-firm-search. Ask for the certification number — not just a claim.

2

Separate assessment and remediation

The company doing the mold removal should never be the same company doing the testing or the clearance test. This conflict of interest is the most common source of inflated scopes and unnecessary work.

3

Written, itemized estimate

Square footage of containment, materials to be removed, equipment, timeline, and payment terms — all in writing before work starts. Verbal quotes are not contracts.

4

Independent clearance test

The final step of any legitimate mold removal job is a clearance test by an inspector with no financial connection to the removal company. This is the only way to verify the job was done correctly.

5

Liability insurance

Ask for a certificate of insurance before work begins. Uninsured contractors leave you exposed if something goes wrong during the job.

The Most Common Mold Scam in Illinois

Regardless of licensing status, the most documented mold scam in every market works the same way: a company offers a free inspection, identifies alarming amounts of “toxic black mold,” and pushes for an immediate contract. The same company does the testing, the removal, and the clearance — eliminating any independent check on their findings or their work.

In Illinois, a licensed contractor engaging in this practice may be violating state law in addition to committing fraud. Report suspected violations to the relevant licensing authority.

Find Licensed Contractors in Illinois

Browse IICRC-certified mold removal contractors with verified Illinois credentials in your city.

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Disclaimer: Licensing requirements change. This page reflects research completed in early 2026. Verify current requirements directly with the relevant state agency before relying on this information for legal or contractual decisions. Full disclaimer →