Texas Mold Law Explained: TDLR Licenses, Protocols and Certificates

Updated October 7, 2026 · 2 min read

What Texas requires for mold assessment and remediation: who needs a license, the 25 sq ft rule, protocols, clearance and the certificate of mold damage remediation.

Texas is one of the few states that licenses mold work. The rules come from the Texas Mold Assessment and Remediation Rules (TMARR) and Chapter 1958 of the Texas Occupations Code, administered by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). This is a plain-English summary; always confirm current details on TDLR's website or with a licensed professional.

The core rule: 25 contiguous square feet

For mold-contaminated areas of 25 contiguous square feet or more, the work generally has to follow a formal process:

1. A licensed Mold Assessment Consultant inspects and writes a mold remediation protocol: what to remove, how to contain it, and what clearance criteria apply.
2. A separately licensed Mold Remediation Contractor performs the work to that protocol.
3. After the work, the assessor performs post-remediation assessment (clearance) to confirm the area passes.

Smaller areas fall below that threshold, though good practice (fix the moisture, contain, remove porous materials) still applies.

Assessor and remediator must be independent

On the same project, the company that assesses can't also be the company that remediates, and they can't have a financial interest in each other. The point is to prevent the person diagnosing from being the person profiting from a bigger job. If someone offers "free testing" and removal as a bundle on a 25+ sq ft project, ask how that complies.

Licenses to look for

• Mold Assessment Consultant (writes protocols, does sampling and clearance)
• Mold Remediation Contractor (company license)
• Mold Remediation Worker / contractor credentials for the people on site

Licenses can be looked up on TDLR's public license search. Texas rules also require licensed businesses to include their license number in advertising.

Exemptions

Homeowners can work on their own property without a license. Some limited exemptions exist for certain building types and small-scale work; check TDLR for specifics.

The Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation

When a licensed remediation is completed and passes clearance, the contractor issues the property owner a Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation. Under Texas law, an insurer generally can't refuse to issue or renew a policy solely because of prior mold damage if the owner holds a valid certificate. Keep it with your property records. It can also be useful when selling.

Notification

Licensed remediators must notify TDLR before starting a regulated project, and records of the protocol and clearance are kept. Ask your contractor how they handle this.

Practical tips

• Verify every license number on TDLR's site before signing.
• Get the protocol in writing, and make sure the bid matches it.
• Keep the clearance report and certificate.
• For cost ranges see our cost guide; for what to ask a contractor see how to hire one.

This page is general information and not legal advice.