05-29-2024 - Mold Assessment and Remediation - FL - Winter Springs, FL

Mold has been an environmental issue for thousands of years. Current trends, proposed legislation, and regulatory requirements makes mold one of the most important indoor environmental issues of the new millennia. Hurricanes, floods, mechanical problems and poor building maintenance may lead to microbial growth, affecting occupants health, property values and insurance policies.

Please note that to perform Mold work in Florida, you must be licensed by the state, or work under supervision of a FL Licensed Mold Contractor. Please see below for the extensive education, experience, training, and testing requirements if you wish to become licensed. For additional information, please visit the State of Florida licensing website. 

Why Should You Take This Course?

The State of Florida began enforcing Florida Statute 468 in 2011. Licensing of mold assessors and remediators is now required. This course is intended for those individuals seeking licensing, or to understand the principles of mold growth prevention, amplification, detection, assessment, control and elimination. The course covers current regulatory, recommended and consensus standards.

How Will This Course Strengthen My Knowledge-Base and Company Viability?

A wide variety of sampling and abatement principles and methods are presented, with hands-on practical exercises covering the use of state of the art instrumentation. Various manufacturers offer a wide variety of biological sampling equipment. Calibration of these instruments is a crucial part of the assessment process. Learn about the various primary, secondary and tertiary calibration standards available in this Mold Assessment and Remediation workshop.

Bioaerosols sampling plays an important role in the assessment of indoor environments for allergens and microbial contamination. In this workshop, you will learn the difference between viable and non-viable sampling, their advantages, disadvantages and limitations.

Topics To Be Covered Include:

• Mold Legislation, Regulation and Standards
  
• The World of Fungi
• Health Effects of Fungi
• Mold Legal and Insurance Issues
• Understanding Building Systems
• Air Testing and Instrumentation
• Infrared Thermography Building Inspections
• Biological Results Interpretation
• Effective Report Writing
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Mold Remediation - Techniques and Equipment
• Building Mold and Moisture Control
• Operations and Maintenance Programs
• Mold Glossary of Terms

Requirements for Mold Licensing in Florida:

Mold Remediators must have (a) 2 year degree in microbiology, engineering, architecture, industrial hygiene, occupational safety, or a related field of science from an accredited institution and a minimum of one year of field experience, or (b) a high school diploma or equivalent with 4 years of documented field experience. Experience may be documented with a copy of 15 mold remediation invoices for each year of experience.

Mold Assessors must have (a) 2 year degree in microbiology, engineering, architecture, industrial hygiene, occupational safety, or a related field of science from an accredited institution and a minimum of one year of field experience or (b) a high school diploma or equivalent with 4 years of documented field experience. Experience may be documented with a copy of 15 mold assessment invoices for each year of experience. 

If my company does both Mold Assessments and Mold Remediations, will I be required to get two (2) licenses, one for Mold Assessor and one for Mold Remediator?

Yes, in addition, please note Section 468.8419(1)(d), F.S., provides that an assessor may not "perform or offer to perform any remediation to a structure on which the mold assessor or the assessor's company provided a mold assessment within the last 12 months." Section 468.8419 (2) (d), F.S. provides that a remediator may not "perform or offer to perform any assessment to a structure on which the mold remediator or the remediator's company provided a mold remediation within the last 12 months."

What examination is given for initial licensure?  

Mold Assessors: The department has approved the Council-Certified Indoor Environmentalist (CIE) examination, the Council-Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant (CIEC) examination, or the Council-Certified Microbial Consultant (CMC) examination offered by American Council for Accredited Certification (ACAC) for purposes of mold assessor licensure. Applicants must achieve a passing grade pursuant to the requirements of the ACAC and Section 455.217, Florida Statutes.

Mold Remediators: The department has approved the Council-Certified Microbial Remediator (CMR) examination, the Council-Certified Microbial Remediation Supervisor (CMRS) examination, or the Council-Certified Indoor Environmental Supervisor (CIES) examination offered by the American Council for Accredited Certification (ACAC) for purposes of mold remediation licensure. Applicants must achieve a passing grade pursuant to the requirements of the ACAC and Section 455.217, Florida Statutes.

What happens after I pass the examination? 

Anyone desiring to be licensed as an assessor or remediator in this state as provided in Chapter 468 Part XVI, Florida Statutes, who passes an approved examination, is of good moral charater and complete the educational requirements should apply to the department for licensure. The application fee is non-refundable. The initial license fee is refundable. Denied candidates must make a written request for a refund to the Executive Director at the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Mold Related Services, 1940 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0783. If you have any questions or need assistance completing the application, please contact the department's Customer Contact Center at 850-487-1395.

CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:  All mold-related services licensees are required to complete 14 hours of continuing education credits for renewal once every two (2) years:  

1. Prior to the expiration of each biennial licensure period, and as a condition for renewal of the mold assessor and/or mold remediator license, each person licensed pursuant to Chapter 468, Part XVI, Florida Statutes, shall complete a minimum of fourteen (14) hours of continuing education which shall include, at a minimum, all of the following subjects as they relate to the practice of mold assessment and/or mold remediation:

     (a) A minimum of six (6) hours of instruction regarding water (moisture intrusion),
     (b) A minimum of four (4) hours of instruction regarding mold and mold safety,
     (c) A minimum of two (2) hours of instruction regarding report writing,
     (d) A minimum of two (2) hours of instruction regarding standards of practice.

2. Continuing education credits may be obtained for the completion of courses or seminars offered by education providers approved by the department.

Reciprocity: Applicants licensed or certified in another state as a mold assessor or remediator with substantially equivalent licensing requirements as in Florida may satisfy the requirements for licensure by endorsement. The applicant must submit an application and fees to the department, and submit to a criminal background check.

Compliance Code:  

TITLE XXXII, CHAPTER 468, PART XVI, MOLD-RELATED SERVICES (ss. 468.84 – 468.8423)