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Requirements and Standards for Licensed Professionals
Licensed professionals may only perform services they are licensed to conduct. Licensed professionals may supervise the work of no more than ten non-licensed individuals at one time.
All mold professionals must maintain a general liability insurance coverage of at least one million dollars, unless covered under an employer’s policy. Further information about the requirements pertaining to District of Columbia mold assessors and remediators can be found below.
The full set of regulations can be found here.
Mold Assessment
A licensed mold assessor is permitted to record observations, take measurements, collect samples, plan and conduct surveys, prepare reports, and develop and evaluate mold remediation and management plans. If the licensee deems it necessary, all those working on the assessment must wear personal protective equipment (PPE). An N-95 respirator is considered the minimum acceptable PPE. The licensee is responsible for providing PPE, fit testing, and training to all supervisees. All sampling and laboratory analysis must be done according to industry best practices, and proper documentation and chain of custody procedures must be used.
The individual performing mold assessment must provide the client with a Mold Assessment Report. If mold remediation is necessary, the report must include a Mold Remediation Protocol. This protocol must contain:
- The location where mold remediation should take place
- Estimated removal of material
- Proposed PPE
- Proposed containment, or an explanation as to why containment is not necessary
- At least one industry-recognized analytical method and set of evaluation criteria to determine successful remediation of each area
Licensees can only recommend disinfectant, biocide, or antimicrobial products registered by the District of Columbia and the US EPA for the intended use, and must take the health and sensitivities of occupants into account when making recommendations.
Mold assessment professionals are required to notify DOEE no more than five days after issuing the Mold Assessment Report, Mold Remediation Protocol, or Mold Management Plan.
Within ten days after remediation is completed, a mold assessor must assess the remediation and is required to provide a verification report to the remediator and the client. If containment was deemed necessary for remediation, it must remain in place for the post-assessment.
In addition to the general liability insurance, all mold assessment professionals must maintain errors and omissions insurance coverage for preliminary and post-remediation mold assessment.
Mold Remediation
A licensed mold remediator is permitted to prepare and carry out a mold remediation plan and interpret results of activities performed according to the plan. If the Mold Remediation Protocol specifies that PPE is necessary for remediation, all those working on the remediation must wear the specified PPE. An N-95 respirator is considered the minimum acceptable PPE. The licensee is responsible for providing appropriate PPE, fit testing, and training to all supervisees.
The mold remediator must provide a Mold Remediation Work Plan to the client prior to remediation. This plan must be specific to each project, and fulfill the requirements of the Mold Remediation Protocol. Work standards are as follows:
- If walk-in containment is required by the Mold Remediation Protocol, containment must remain in place until the project has been verified in writing as complete;
- Supply and return air vents to walk-in containments must be covered with plastic, and air pressure must be lower inside the containment than in the surrounding area;
- Yellow signs at least 8 by 10 inches in size must be posted at all accessible entrances to remediation, with black lettering that reads “NOTICE: Mold remediation project in progress”. All signage must be legible from a distance of ten feet;
- If remediation work is to occur in residential properties or child-occupied facilities (such as daycare centers) built before 1978, use of lead-safe work practices is required if painted surfaces will be disturbed in the process of mold remediation activities;
- Disinfectant, biocide, and antimicrobial products may only be used if specified in the mold remediation protocol and registered by the District of Columbia and the US EPA for the intended use. A searchable database of District-approved products can be found at the National Pesticide Information Retrieval System; and
- If the mold protocol specifies the use of a chemical product but does not specify the type or brand, the licensee may select the product to be used. All use of products must be consistent with the manufacturer’s labeling instructions.
Mold remediation professionals are required to notify DOEE at least five days before remediation begins, and must notify DOEE of changes to the planned date at least five days prior to the new date. If the end date of remediation changes by more than a day, the professional must notify DOEE as soon as possible and within 24 hours. Within ten days after receiving the verification report of completed remediation from the assessment professional, the remediator must provide a completed verification report to the property owner. Exceptions allow for work to begin prior to notification in emergency circumstances.
All mold remediators must maintain an insurance that includes specific coverage for mold-related and general pollution claims.