How to Verify a TDLR Mold License in Texas

You can verify a TDLR mold license in Texas by using the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation's online License Search tool, searching by the individual or company name, license number, or city, and confirming the license status reads "Active" rather than "Expired" or "Revoked." This takes about two minutes and is the single most important check before hiring anyone to assess or remediate mold in your home. Skipping it can leave you unprotected if the work is done improperly or the "contractor" isn't legally authorized to perform mold work at all.

Texas is one of the few states that requires state licensing for mold assessment and remediation work under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1958, administered by TDLR's mold program. Below is exactly how to check a license, what the results mean, and what to do if something looks off.

How do I look up a TDLR mold license online?

Go to the TDLR mold program page, which links to the agency's License Search tool. You can search several ways:

• By name — enter the individual's or company's name as it appears on their estimate or business card.
• By license number — most legitimate mold companies list their TDLR license number on invoices, contracts, trucks, or their website.
• By city or license type — useful if you want to find licensed providers near you rather than verify a specific one.

The results will show the license holder's name, license type, issue date, expiration date, and current status. Screenshot or save this information alongside your contract in case you need it later for a complaint or insurance claim.

What information do I need before I search?

At minimum, get the full legal name of the person or business performing the work and, ideally, their TDLR license number. Verbal assurances like "we're licensed and insured" mean nothing without a number you can check. A legitimate mold assessor or remediator will provide this without hesitation — reluctance to share a license number is itself a warning sign.

What do the different TDLR mold license types mean?

Texas separates mold work into distinct license categories under Chapter 1958, and it matters which one you're dealing with:

• Mold Assessment Consultant (MAC) — can design the assessment protocol, interpret lab results, and write the remediation protocol and clearance report.
• Mold Assessment Technician (MAT) — performs assessment fieldwork under a consultant's supervision.
• Mold Remediation Contractor (MRC) — can own or operate a mold remediation business and directly perform remediation work.
• Mold Remediation Worker (MRW) — performs remediation labor under a contractor's supervision.

If someone shows up to inspect your home for mold but their license type is a remediation license, or vice versa, that's a mismatch worth questioning. Some companies hold multiple license types, but each person on site should be operating within the scope of what their specific license permits.

Why can't the same company assess and remediate my mold?

Texas law generally prohibits the same business (or its affiliates) from both performing the mold assessment and the mold remediation on the same job. This conflict-of-interest rule exists because an assessor who profits from the scope of remediation work has an incentive to inflate the problem. When you verify a license, also confirm the assessor and remediator are separate, unaffiliated businesses — this is a core consumer protection built into Chapter 1958.

How can I tell if a license is active, expired, or inactive?

The TDLR search tool displays a clear status field. "Active" means the license is current and in good standing. "Expired" means renewal is overdue and the person is not legally authorized to perform mold work until it's renewed. "Revoked" or "Suspended" indicates disciplinary action — you should not hire that individual or business. If the status shows any disciplinary history or an open complaint, you can typically find more detail by requesting records directly from TDLR.

What if the license doesn't show up at all?

If a name or license number returns no results, treat this as a serious red flag. Possible explanations include a misspelled name, a license held under a different business entity, or — most concerning — that the person is operating without a license, which is illegal for mold assessment and remediation work in Texas. Ask for the exact legal name and license number again, and if the discrepancy isn't resolved, move on to a verified provider. You can search a pre-screened list of licensed professionals through resources like the Texas mold remediation directory or use the find a licensed contractor tool to locate verified options near you.

How much does mold remediation cost in Texas?

Costs vary widely based on the extent of contamination, the affected materials, and whether structural drying or reconstruction is needed. Small, contained jobs (a bathroom or closet with limited surface mold) often run in the low hundreds to around $1,500. Larger jobs involving HVAC contamination, extensive drywall or insulation removal, or whole-room remediation can range from $3,000 to $10,000 or more. Get itemized, written estimates from at least two or three verified, licensed providers, and be wary of anyone offering a firm price before doing a proper assessment.

What else should I check besides the license itself?

Verifying the license is necessary but not sufficient. Also confirm:

• Proof of insurance — ask for a certificate of insurance naming you or your property, and consider checking with your own homeowner's insurance carrier or the Texas Department of Insurance about coverage questions related to mold damage.
• A written contract and protocol — a licensed assessment consultant should provide a written remediation protocol, and the remediator should follow it and issue a clearance report after work is done.
• No shared ownership between assessor and remediator, as noted above.
• Health guidance — for background on mold exposure and cleanup basics, the EPA's mold and moisture guide and the CDC's mold and health resources are useful references, though they don't replace a Texas-licensed assessment for anything beyond very small, surface-level mold.

What should I do if I suspect an unlicensed operator?

You can file a complaint directly with TDLR, which regulates and disciplines mold assessors and remediators statewide. Provide the business name, any license number given to you, and details of the interaction. Reporting unlicensed activity protects other homeowners and helps TDLR enforce the licensing requirements built into state law.