The Maryland General Assembly passed The Maryland Mold Remediation Services Act in 2008; however, due to budget constraints, enactment of the new law was postponed until July 1, 2013. When the law goes into effect this summer, any company or firm performing mold remediation services at residential properties in Maryland must be licensed in accordance with the Act. The company or firm must be a licensed mold remediation contractor; in addition, the employees who perform the work must be licensed as either microbial remediation technicians or supervisors. The mold remediation contractor must also possess a Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) contractor license if structural renovations to a house are also being performed. Individual employees must obtain their certifications through an approved training course provided by the American Council for Accredited Certification (ACAC).
When choosing a remediation contractor, we recommend that you verify the following:
- The certifications the company and staff hold
- The experience the company has with mold remediation and each step of the process
- The number of inspections and remediation projects the company has been involved with over the last year
- The company’s involvement in continuing education to keep up with the most recent procedures and regulations
- References
It is important to understand why these certifications are being mandated. Aside from the structural hazards of mold growth, disrupted mold can lead to airborne mold spores which will adversely impact the indoor air quality of the building and may affect the health of building occupants. Knowledge and experience with mold identification and characterization is essential as each occurrence of mold and its source is unique.
If you have questions or concerns about mold, please contact our IH Program Manager, Stacy Kahatapitiya at 410-659-9971 or by email at skahatapitiya@arcenvironmental.com
More information about the Maryland Mold Remediation Services Act can be found here on the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulations’s website.
