Contractor licensing for restoration work is one of the most fragmented regulatory landscapes in any trade. Unlike electrical or plumbing work, which is uniformly licensed in most states, water damage, mold remediation, and fire restoration work is subject to a patchwork of state, county, and municipal requirements.
FLORIDA: Florida requires a Certified General Contractor (CGC) or Certified Building Contractor (CBC) license for restoration work exceeding $75,000. Mold assessors and mold remediators must hold separate state licenses under Chapter 468, Part XVI of the Florida Statutes — one of the strictest mold licensing regimes in the country.
CALIFORNIA: California requires a C-33 Painting and Decorating or B-General Building contractor license for most restoration work. The California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) actively enforces unlicensed contractor laws, with penalties up to $15,000 per violation.
TEXAS: Texas does not have a statewide general contractor license, but mold assessment and remediation require separate licenses from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). The Texas Mold Assessment and Remediation Rules (25 TAC Chapter 295) set detailed protocols.
NEW YORK: New York requires a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) license for residential restoration work in New York City and some counties. Mold assessment and remediation in New York City require separate licenses under Local Law 61 of 2018.
LOUISIANA: Following repeated hurricane seasons, Louisiana has developed relatively robust contractor licensing requirements. The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) requires licensure for projects over $50,000.
States with minimal requirements create consumer protection gaps that industry advocates have been pushing to close through legislation modeled on Florida's mold licensing framework.
