Providers of mold remediation services in Florida face new licensing requirements, as the state has implemented legislation aimed at protecting citizens from unscrupulous business practices. All professionals desiring to conduct this type of service in Florida will need to be licensed by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) moving forward.
According to a press release by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), current IICRC registrants with AMRT certification that perform work in Florida are eligible to be grandfathered in with no additional certification needed, provided that they submit an application for a license to the DBPR by March 1, 2011 and meet additional requirements. Professionals interested in learning more about the stipulations related to grandfathering should visit the DBPR website and may download an application for licensure.
The IICRC also recommends that AMRT-certified registrants who reside outside of Florida but nevertheless conduct business in the state currently (or plan to in the future) should also apply for a license by March 1, 2011. Presently, the IICRC is working with the DBPR to become an approved provider of certification exams, but is not currently approved under "Initial Licensing" in the new regulations. Therefore, registrants will not be eligible to perform mold remediation services in Florida with only an AMRT certification if not licensed beginning March 1, 2011.
"We are working diligently to pursue approval from the DBPR to provide mold remediation certification that meets the state's requirements and hope to come to a resolution as soon as possible," said Dan Bernazzani, IICRC government affairs liaison. "We applaud the state of Florida for implementing legislation that protects consumers from unscrupulous professionals that seek to take advantage of property owners, particularly in a state that regularly deals with mold issues. We know that we'll be able to come to a conclusion that recognizes the IICRC, an internationally respected provider of mold remediation certification, as an approved provider in Florida."
To meet the requirements set forth by the DBPR, IICRC stressed that it will continue to work toward the goal of securing accreditation as a certification body from the American National Standards Institute, the leading authoritative body of U.S. standards and conformity assessment systems.
"We firmly believe that seeking ANSI accreditation for our certifications is in the best interest of our registrants and consumers," added IICRC Chairman Paul Pearce. "Securing ANSI accreditation will not only meet the requirements of the Florida DBPR, but add an additional layer of rigor to the IICRC's current respected and credible certifications."
IICRC is currently an ANSI-accredited standards setting body for the flooring inspection, floor covering, and specialized fabric cleaning and disaster restoration industries.
Information mold remediation services providers residing outside of Florida can be accessed here.
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