What the S520 expects of a mold remediator

In plain English

The S520 starts with the law: remediators "shall" hold whatever licenses federal, state and local rules require. That can include a local business license, a general or specialty contractor's license for intrusive or demolition work, and a specialty (mechanical or electrical) license for cleaning HVAC systems and ductwork.

Beyond licensing, remediators should be qualified by education, training and experience. Workers should be trained in the S520's principles for their role, including safety and health, engineering controls, containment and work practices. Employers must train workers to recognize and avoid the hazards they will meet, including physical, chemical and microbial hazards, PPE, and awareness of regulated materials such as asbestos, lead and silica.

Training alone isn't proof of competence, the S520 says. Certification should combine field experience, coursework and a passed written exam, from an established organization in the restoration industry. Where the law doesn't require certification, the S520 still recommends it.

Texas note: in Texas the law does require it. Mold remediation of 25 contiguous square feet or more must be done under a TDLR mold remediation license, with registered, trained workers. See the Texas licensing topics for the details.

Key points

• Hold every license the law requires: business, contractor, specialty (HVAC).
• Train workers in safety, containment, controls and work practices.
• Employers must train on physical, chemical and microbial hazards and regulated materials.
• Certification = experience + coursework + written exam.
• In Texas, TDLR licensing is mandatory for jobs of 25 contiguous sq ft or more.

Official text

This topic is covered in our own words because the standard behind it is copyrighted; we cite it below rather than reproduce it.

Citations

• IICRC S520, ANSI/IICRC S520 Standard for Professional Mold Remediation — Secs. 4–4.2.2, remediator qualifications: licensing, training and certification, pp. 31–32. Best practice

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