Construction / Mold Remediation License / District of Columbia
- District of Columbia
- Mold Remediation License
- Remediation & Assessment
- Updated Oct 2026
How to Get Your District of Columbia Mold Remediation License
Washington, D.C. licenses mold professionals at the District level. This page walks through who needs a license, the experience routes, the exam, insurance and how to apply.
Last updated October 28, 2026 from District of Columbia Department of Energy & Environment requirements
Application fee
Not stated
Confirm the current fee with the District
Exam time
Not stated
Pass an approved mold remediation exam
Time to get license
6 mo–3 yrs
Depends on your education and experience route
Continuing ed
Not stated
Ask the District about renewal rules
Overview
Do you need a District of Columbia mold remediation license?
Yes, if you prepare or carry out mold remediation plans in the District. D.C. is one of a handful of places that license mold work directly, and it licenses both remediators and assessors.
License required when
- You prepare and carry out a mold remediation plan
- You interpret the results of remediation work done under that plan
- You assess mold: take samples, run surveys, write reports or design remediation plans (Mold Assessment license)
- You supervise workers on a mold job and supply their PPE
Common exceptions
- Exemptions aren’t listed in the requirements we reviewed
- If you think your work is exempt, confirm it with the District in writing before you start
Penalties for unlicensed work
Our source notes don’t list penalty amounts. In general, the District can refuse, suspend or revoke a license and take enforcement action against anyone doing licensed mold work without one.
Your fast-track District of Columbia mold remediation license checklist
The District of Columbia application, one page
- Proof of education and documented field experience
- Passing result on an approved mold exam
- General liability certificate, $1 million minimum
- Mold and pollution coverage (remediators)
- Errors and omissions coverage (assessors)
- Completed application and fee
Types
District of Columbia mold remediation license types and classifications
D.C. separates the people who fix mold problems from the people who assess them. Each license has its own scope and insurance rules.
MRC
This page
Mold Remediation Contractor
Prepares and carries out mold remediation plans and interprets the results. Provides PPE (N-95 minimum), fit testing and training to workers.
Exam
Approved mold exam
Limit
Not stated
MAC
Assessment
Mold Assessment Contractor
Records observations, takes measurements and samples, plans surveys, writes reports and develops or evaluates remediation plans.
Exam
Approved mold exam
Limit
Not stated
Requirements
District of Columbia mold remediation license requirements, class by class
You qualify through one of three education and experience routes. Insurance is where the two licenses differ.
| Requirement | Mold Remediation | Mold Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Education + experience (route 1) | Associate’s degree with 30 semester hours in a related science, plus 1 year of field experience | Associate’s degree with 30 semester hours in a related science, plus 1 year of field experience |
| Professional + experience (route 2) | CIH, PE, registered sanitarian, CSP or registered architect, plus 6 months of field experience | CIH, PE, registered sanitarian, CSP or registered architect, plus 6 months of field experience |
| Diploma + experience (route 3) | High school diploma or equivalent, plus 3 years of field experience | High school diploma or equivalent, plus 3 years of field experience |
| Exam | Approved mold remediation exam | Approved mold exam |
| General liability | At least $1 million | At least $1 million |
| Extra insurance | Coverage for mold-related and general pollution claims | Errors and omissions coverage for pre- and post-remediation assessment |
| Application fee | Not stated | Not stated |
Steps
How to get your District of Columbia mold remediation license, step by step
- Pick your licenseBefore you start
Decide whether you’ll remediate mold, assess it, or both. Each license has its own scope and insurance rules. - Meet an experience routeBefore you apply
Document your education and field experience: 1 year with a related associate’s degree, 6 months as a CIH, PE, CSP, sanitarian or architect, or 3 years with a high school diploma. - Pass an approved examExam day
Sit an approved mold remediation exam. Check the District’s current list of approved exams before you register. - Get your insuranceBefore you apply
Carry at least $1 million in general liability. Remediators add mold and pollution coverage; assessors add errors and omissions. - Apply to the DistrictFee not stated
Submit your application with proof of experience, your exam result, insurance certificates and the required fee. - Keep your crew protectedOngoing
Provide PPE (an N-95 is the minimum), fit testing and training to everyone working under you.
Exam
What to expect on the District of Columbia mold remediation exam
D.C. requires you to pass an approved mold remediation exam before you’re licensed. Our source notes describe it as open book, with references you can tab and highlight.
Format
Open book
Questions
Not stated
Passing score
Not stated
Exam vendor
Not stated
Scoring & content
- Covers mold remediation practice and planning
- Open book: approved references can be tabbed and highlighted
- Question count and time limit not stated
- Passing score not stated
Retake policy
- Retake rules not stated in our source notes
- Check the exam provider’s candidate bulletin before you book
- Confirm the exam is on the District’s approved list
Exam references · Open book
The D.C. mold remediation exam is open book, and the approved reference can be tabbed and highlighted. Online course material can’t be accessed during the exam.
| Book | Edition | Use |
|---|---|---|
| NASCLA Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management | Basic Edition | Allowed in exam |
Prep
Best District of Columbia mold remediation exam prep, compared
We haven’t compared prep courses for this exam yet.
Costs
How much does a District of Columbia mold remediation license cost?
| Item | Type | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | Fixed | Not stated |
| Approved mold exam | Fixed | Not stated |
| General liability ($1 million minimum) | Variable | Varies |
| Pollution or E&O coverage | Variable | Varies |
| PPE, fit testing and crew training | Variable | Varies |
| State fees and exam | Not stated in our source notes | Not stated |
Insurance is likely your biggest cost, so get quotes early.
Reciprocity
Does District of Columbia accept out-of-state mold remediation licenses?
Our source notes don’t describe any reciprocity for D.C. mold licenses.
No reciprocity agreements
None are listed, so plan to apply as a new applicant and meet the District’s experience, exam and insurance rules.
Local
Do District of Columbia cities and counties have their own mold remediation licensing rules?
Washington, D.C. is a single jurisdiction, so the District handles both licensing and local rules.
State handles
- Mold remediation and assessment licenses
- Approved exams and experience review
- Insurance requirements
- Discipline of licensees
City & county handle
- D.C. has no separate county layer
- Building permits if the job includes construction work
- Business registration in the District
Governance
Who regulates mold remediators in District of Columbia
Licensing authority
District of Columbia Department of Energy & Environment
Address, phone and website: Not stated in our source notes
Oversight responsibilities
- Issues mold remediation and mold assessment licenses
- Reviews education, experience and exam results
- Sets insurance requirements for mold professionals
- Enforces licensing rules
Maintenance
How to renew your District of Columbia mold remediation license and keep it active
Our source notes don’t give the D.C. renewal cycle or fee. Keep your $1 million liability and specialty coverage active the whole time you’re licensed.
Renewal cycle
Not stated
CE hours
Not stated
Renewal fee
Not stated
Late penalty
Not stated
FAQ
District of Columbia mold remediation license FAQs
Do I need a license to do mold remediation in D.C.?
Yes. The District licenses mold remediation contractors, who prepare and carry out remediation plans, and mold assessment contractors.
What experience do I need?
One of three routes: a related associate’s degree plus 1 year of field experience, a professional credential (CIH, PE, CSP, sanitarian or architect) plus 6 months, or a high school diploma plus 3 years.
How much insurance do I need?
At least $1 million in general liability. Remediators also need coverage for mold-related and pollution claims, and assessors need errors and omissions coverage.
Is there an exam?
Yes. You must pass an approved mold remediation exam. Our notes describe it as open book.
What PPE do workers need?
When the remediation protocol calls for PPE, everyone on the job must wear it. An N-95 respirator is the minimum, and the licensee supplies PPE, fit testing and training.
Can I hold both a remediation and an assessment license?
They’re separate licenses with separate scopes and insurance. Check with the District about doing both on the same project.
Sources
Official sources for the District of Columbia mold remediation license
- District of Columbia mold licensing requirements
- D.C. mold professional insurance requirements
- D.C. mold remediation and assessment scope of work
Last updated October 28, 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Exam Insiders is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the District of Columbia Department of Energy & Environment.