Who is qualified to do mold work?

Many states now have a certification requirement for mold remediation, California is not yet one of them. Since mold remediation usually involves the removal of building materials, certain cities like Santa Rosa are requiring building permits for mold work. Permits can only be obtained by home owners and licensed contractors. So the minimum qualifications for mold work would be a general contractor’s license.There are many organizations that offer mold training and “certification”. The problem with most is that their certification is really nothing more than a training certificate. The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI), the National Association of Mold Professionals (NAMP), and the Mold Inspection Consulting and Remediation Organization (MICRO), all offer training certifications in mold remediation and mold investigations. The problem with training certifications is that anyone can attend the 1-5 day course, pass the exam, and walk out as an “expert”.  The consumer has no way of knowing how much education and/or experience that person has.The only actual certification that exists is from the American Indoor Air Quality Council (AmIAQC). The AmIAQC certifications must pass an exam and meet stringent education and experience requirements prior to being awarded the board-certification. The Certified Microbial Remediator (CMR) certification has a two year requirement, and the Certified Microbial Remediation Supervisor (CMRS) has a five year requirement. For additional information regarding mold certifications, or to find a local certified professional, check the AmIAQ website www.iaqcouncil.org.Having said all that, there is no law or regulation that would prevent a home owner from cleaning up their own mold. Mold remediation is not rocket science and most of the “technicians” that do the actual work are seasonal or temporary employees with little or no training or experience.  If a home owner chooses to do their own remediation, Pacific IAQ recommends The Homeowners Do-It-Yourself Guide to Mold Removal, by Eric and David Keith. The book and video can be purchased at www.firstamericanresearch.com.