Is Mold Removal Licensed in New York?

Yes — New York enacted a comprehensive Mold Law in 2016.

New York State law (effective January 1, 2016) requires separate licenses for mold assessors, mold remediation contractors, and mold abatement workers, all administered by the NY Department of Labor. Assessors evaluate the problem and write the work plan. Remediation contractors perform the physical removal. The original assessor or a different licensed assessor must perform the clearance test. One company cannot perform both assessment and remediation on the same project. New York City has additional local requirements and enforcement.

How to Verify a New York Mold Contractor

Verify NY mold contractor licenses through the NY Department of Labor’s mold licensing portal. Ask any contractor for their NY mold remediation contractor license number before signing anything. Unlicensed mold work in New York is a violation subject to civil penalties.

NY DOL Mold Licensing →

What to Require Beyond the License

A valid New York 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 New York

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 New York, 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 New York

Browse IICRC-certified mold removal contractors with verified New York 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 →