The Non-Negotiable Requirements

1. Florida DBPR MRSR license (mold remediator). Required for jobs over 10 sq ft. Verify at myfloridalicense.com.
2. Insurance coverage including general liability and workers’ compensation.
3. IICRC S-520 compliance. The industry standard for mold remediation.
4. Written scope of work before any work begins.
5. Respect for the assessor/remediator separation (Florida Statute 468.8419).

Red Flags: Walk Away If You See These

• Won’t share their Florida DBPR license number.
• Insists on doing both assessment and remediation on the same project. Illegal under FL Statute 468.
• Quotes a price over the phone without seeing the property.
• Uses scare tactics (“you need to leave your home immediately,” “this will kill your family”).
• Demands large upfront payment before work begins.
• Won’t provide a written scope of work.
• Pressures you to sign immediately.
• Refuses to discuss the moisture source. A company that only removes visible mold without addressing why it grew is setting you up for repeat work.
• Bad or nonexistent reviews. Especially on Google. Check independent review sources.
• Gmail or Yahoo contact address instead of a real business domain. Red flag for legitimacy.

Green Flags: Signs of a Professional

• Willingly shares their DBPR license number and encourages you to verify it.
• Explains Florida’s assessor/remediator separation before you ask.
• Offers a free on-site assessment before quoting.
• Provides itemized written scope of work.
• Addresses the moisture source as part of the scope.
• Discusses containment and PPE protocols.
• Mentions IICRC S-520 naturally.
• Offers post-remediation verification.
• Refers independent assessors when testing is needed.
• Explains insurance documentation without prompting.

Questions to Ask Every Company

1. What is your Florida DBPR license number? (Then verify it.)
2. How will you handle assessment vs remediation? (The right answer: “We don’t do both on the same project. Here’s how we handle it.”)
3. What does your scope of work include?
4. How do you address the moisture source?
5. What containment and PPE protocols do you use?
6. Do you follow IICRC S-520 standards?
7. What documentation do you provide for insurance?
8. Do you offer post-remediation verification?
9. What is your warranty?
10. Can I see photos and documentation from recent similar jobs?

How to Verify a Florida License in 60 Seconds

1. Open myfloridalicense.com
2. Click “Verify a License”
3. Search by license number, company name, or licensee name
4. Confirm the license is ACTIVE (not expired, suspended, or revoked)
5. Note the license type (MRSR for remediator)

If they claim to be licensed but you can’t find them, they’re not licensed. Walk away.

The Bottom Line

Florida’s mold industry has genuinely good professionals and genuinely predatory operators. The difference between them is documentation, transparency, and licensing. Ask the questions above. Verify credentials. Get everything in writing. And trust your gut: if something feels off, it usually is.