In Texas, mold remediation on 25 contiguous square feet or more of surface requires a license from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, and the same license holder may not both assess and remove mold on one project. Above that threshold, expect two separate licensed companies: one writes the plan, and another carries it out.
Key takeaways
- Texas regulates mold work under Occupations Code Chapter 1958, and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) licenses the companies and the individuals.
- Section 1958.102 sets the threshold: a license is not needed for remediation where contamination affects less than 25 contiguous square feet of surface for the project, and is required at 25 contiguous square feet or more.
- Section 1958.155 bars one license holder from doing both mold assessment and mold remediation on the same project, and bars a person from owning an interest in both the assessing and the remediating company on it.
- Above the threshold, the licensed assessor writes the protocol, and the licensed remediator does the work to that protocol, so the person who finds the mold is not the person selling the cleanup.
- Drying wet materials quickly, as soon as possible and ideally within a day or two, is the best way to keep mold from starting.
- A Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation exists, and a seller must give the buyer every certificate issued for the property in the preceding five years.
What is the 25 square foot rule for mold in Texas?
Under Texas Occupations Code §1958.102, a person does not need a license to do mold remediation where the contamination affects less than 25 contiguous square feet of surface for the project. At 25 contiguous square feet or more, remediation must be done by a company and individuals licensed by TDLR.
Think of 25 square feet as a patch of about five feet by five feet, or several patches that touch. The word contiguous matters: it describes one connected area, and the rule is about the project, so how the area is measured is something to ask about.
The rule does not say that small mold is safe, or that large mold is dangerous. It sets the point where Texas requires a licensed professional. Below it, the law does not require a license for the remediation work. Above it, a licensed professional is required, and so is a written plan.
Water damage and mold often arrive together, so this threshold shows up on many restoration jobs. If drywall or flooring stayed wet, the mold area can be larger than the stain you can see.
Why can't the same company test for mold and remove it?
Texas Occupations Code §1958.155 bars a license holder from doing both mold assessment and mold remediation on the same project, and bars a person from owning an interest in both the assessing and the remediating company on it. The separation keeps the inspector from selling the cleanup.
Consider the alternative. If the company that finds mold also profits from removing it, it has a reason to find more of it. Texas removed that reason by putting the two jobs in different hands.
That separation protects you, and it is a trust-builder, not a hurdle. The assessor works for you, decides what needs to be done and checks that it was done. The remediator carries out the plan and answers to it.
For you, that means two licensed companies above the threshold, two sets of paperwork and two prices. It also means that any company offering a single package of testing and removal for one project deserves a direct question about how it complies with the law. Lewisville Water Damage Restoration does not offer one, and does not claim to hold either license.
Who does what on a mold project above 25 square feet?
A licensed assessor inspects, takes measurements and writes a plan (the protocol) for how the mold is to be removed. A different licensed remediation contractor carries out the plan. A restoration crew dries the water damage and can document what it found, but it is not the assessor or the remediator on a licensed project.
The assessor looks at the moisture source, the extent of growth and the materials affected. The written protocol typically describes the scope, the methods and how the work area is to be handled. The remediator follows that protocol.
The restoration crew's role comes before or alongside. It stops the water from continuing to feed the problem, dries the structure and records moisture readings and photographs. It does not write the protocol and does not carry out licensed mold work.
Before work starts, ask who will confirm that the work met the protocol and what paperwork you will receive. Get the answer in writing.
| Stage | Who does it | Typical pricing, as a rough guide |
|---|---|---|
| Dry the water damage and record readings | Restoration crew | Priced as water damage work, quoted before work starts |
| Inspect, take samples if needed, write the protocol | Licensed mold assessor | $150–$600 for inspection; $75–$450 per lab sample |
| Carry out the removal to the protocol | Separate licensed remediation contractor | $1,500–$3,500 moderate; $3,000–$6,000 or more for large jobs |
| Confirm the result and the paperwork | Ask both companies who does this, and get it in writing | Ask before work starts |
| Repair drywall, trim and flooring | A general repair contractor or the restoration company | Quoted after drying and remediation |
What does a mold project cost, and why are there two prices?
Typical Texas cost pages put an assessor's inspection at roughly $150 to $600 and a lab sample at $75 to $450, with remediation from about $500 to $1,500 for a small contained area to $3,000 to $6,000 or more for large jobs. These are rough guides. The assessor and the remediator quote separately.
The sources behind those numbers disagree with one another, and lab and sample type change the sample price a great deal. Treat the ranges as a working estimate, and ask each company for a written quote.
Two prices are not a trick. The law created two roles, and each is paid for its own work. If a company quotes a single combined figure for testing and removal above the threshold, ask how the project is organized.
The water damage side is priced separately again, and the cost guide shows how the numbers fit together.
How fast do I have to dry things to stop mold?
As fast as you safely can. Drying wet materials as soon as possible, ideally within a day or two, is the best way to keep mold from starting. Mold needs moisture, so removing the water, opening wet cavities and running drying equipment until readings meet dry targets limits growth.
The U.S. EPA's guidance on mold stresses moisture control: dry water-damaged areas and items promptly, and fix the source of the water. The exact window depends on the material and the conditions, and we do not quote a guarantee.
Hot, humid summers in North Texas and sealed, air-conditioned homes can hold moisture. Wet insulation, drywall and carpet pad stay damp longer than they look. That is why technicians use meters, not touch, to decide when a structure is dry.
The structural drying page explains how readings are taken and logged until a structure reads dry.
What should I ask before hiring anyone for mold work?
Ask whether the company holds the TDLR license for the role it is playing, ask for the license number and check it on TDLR's license lookup. Ask whether the same company or an owner is involved in both assessment and removal, and ask for the written protocol, the scope and the price in writing.
You can ask any company for its license number. A legitimate company will give it to you, and you can check it with TDLR. We do not print license numbers here, and we do not claim a TDLR license for ourselves.
The questions in the list below are the ones that protect you. They are polite, direct and the kind of thing a licensed professional expects to be asked.
- Which TDLR license do you hold, and what is the number?
- Are you the assessor or the remediator on this project, and not both?
- Does anyone with an interest in your company also have one in the other company?
- Where is the written protocol, and what does it require?
- How will the area be measured, and how many contiguous square feet is it?
- Who checks the result, and what paperwork will I receive?
- What do I receive in writing about price and scope?
What paperwork follows a licensed mold project?
A Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation is the document that records that mold remediation was completed on a property. Texas requires a seller to give the buyer every certificate issued for the property in the preceding five years. Keep any certificate you receive, because it travels with the house.
The certificate is part of the paperwork on a licensed project. It is not a guarantee that mold will never return. It records that a remediation took place under the rules.
If you buy or sell a home, ask whether any certificates exist. A buyer who knows about past mold work can ask what caused the water and whether the source was fixed.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a license to remove less than 25 square feet of mold in Texas?
Texas does not require a license for remediation where the contamination affects less than 25 contiguous square feet of surface for the project. At 25 or more, a TDLR license is required. Wet material still needs drying.
Can one company test my home for mold and remove it?
Not on the same project in Texas. A license holder may not do both assessment and remediation on one project, and may not own an interest in both companies. Expect two licensed companies above the threshold.
Is mold after a leak dangerous?
For some people, mold exposure can bring on allergy or asthma symptoms. The CDC calls the term toxic mold inaccurate. If anyone in the home has breathing problems, ask a doctor and have the area checked.
How do I check a mold company's license?
Ask the company for its license number, then check it on the TDLR license lookup. The business and the individuals who do the work are both licensed by TDLR, unless exempt.
Does Lewisville Water Damage Restoration do mold testing and mold removal?
No, not as one service. The crew dries water damage and documents moisture. Mold assessment and mold removal above the threshold are done by separate licensed companies, and we do not claim a TDLR license.
How long until mold starts after a leak?
It depends on the material and conditions, so we do not give an hour count. Drying wet materials as soon as possible, ideally within a day or two, is the best protection.
Sources
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation – mold assessors and remediators (Occupations Code Chapter 1958; 16 TAC Chapter 78)
- Texas Legislature Online – Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1958 (Mold Assessors and Remediators)
- U.S. EPA – mold guidance, including A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – mold and health
This guide is general information for Denton County homeowners, not a substitute for an on-site inspection. Prices are estimates. See our disclaimer.