Washington Mold Law: Mold Testing vs Mold Remediation

Does Washington require a license for mold testing or cleanup?

No state mold license applies. The Washington State Department of Health says there are no specific certification requirements for mold or water-damage restoration (Washington State Department of Health).

Restoration companies still have to register with Washington L&I and carry a bond and insurance (Washington L&I). Any plumbing or electrical work done during a cleanup must be done by a licensed trade.

• Check registration. Use the Washington L&I verify tool to confirm the company’s registration, bond and insurance.
• Ask about IICRC certification. IICRC certifies restoration professionals. Look the firm up on the IICRC Global Locator.

Can one company test for mold and also remove it?

Washington does not have a state rule that bars one company from doing both. Ask the company directly whether it tests and removes mold, and whether its testing is independent of its removal work.

The reason to ask is simple. The person who decides how much mold there is shouldn’t profit from removing it. An independent tester has no reason to make the job bigger.

A free look from a removal company is not a problem by itself. But if that company also tests the result, the report is less independent. For more red flags, see how to hire a restoration company.

How does a mold job work, step by step?

A typical mold job follows a set order. Keep a copy of each paper you receive.

1. Fix the water source and dry the area. The EPA recommends responding to water damage within 24 to 48 hours to help prevent mold growth (US EPA).
2. Get an assessment. An independent tester inspects the area and, if needed, takes samples.
3. Get a written scope. The scope lists the rooms, the materials to clean or remove, the methods and the protective gear.
4. The cleanup crew does the work. That usually means plastic containment, HEPA air filtration and removal of moldy materials. Many companies follow the industry standard ANSI/IICRC S520, now in its 2024 edition.
5. Clearance check. Ask for a follow-up check after the work to confirm the area is clean and dry.
6. Keep the records. Keep the scope, the readings, the photos and the final report for your insurer and for any future sale.

If you sell the home later, buyers and inspectors will ask for these records. Store them with your insurance and repair papers.

I had a leak in the past. Is a mold test worth it?

Often, no. If you can see mold, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says sampling is usually unnecessary. The mold needs cleaning either way, and the leak has to be fixed (EPA, “A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home”).

A test is more useful in a few situations:

• You smell a musty odor but can’t find the source.
• The leak was inside a wall, under a floor or above a ceiling, and the area was never opened.
• You’re buying or selling a home and want an independent report.
• A large job was just cleaned and you need a clearance check to prove it’s done.

The EPA also says wet materials should be dried within 24 to 48 hours to help prevent mold. If an old leak was dried fast and nothing smells or shows stains, a test may add little.

If you do test, hire an independent assessor, not the company that would do the removal. That keeps the result honest.

Leak still wet? Drying it now does more to prevent mold than any test. Call (425) 307-0286 to reach a local company for water extraction and drying.

How do I check a mold company in Washington?

Use the Washington L&I verify tool to check the company’s registration, bond and insurance (Washington L&I). Then check any IICRC certification on the IICRC Global Locator (IICRC).

Check three things before you sign:

• The registration is current. The company is registered with Washington L&I.
• The company carries insurance and a bond. Ask for the certificate of insurance in writing.
• The work and the testing are separate. If the same company tests and removes, ask how it keeps the result independent.

Ask each company for its registration number and its insurance certificate in writing. A company that won’t share them is a company to skip.

Does insurance pay for mold?

Sometimes, and usually only in part. Homeowner insurance often covers sudden, accidental water damage. Coverage for gradual leaks and damage from delayed repairs can differ, and mold that comes from them is often excluded (Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner).

Your adjuster decides what’s covered. Keep the scope, the readings, the clearance check and the final report. Those papers show what was done and why. Our Washington water damage insurance guide explains claims, deductibles and deadlines.

What should Washington tenants know about mold?

Washington landlords must keep plumbing and structural components in reasonable repair (RCW 59.18.060). Tell the landlord in writing as soon as you see mold or a leak.

Keep copies of your messages, photos and any repair requests. Those records show when the problem was reported.

Need help with mold in Bellevue?

See mold remediation in Bellevue for signs, costs and what the cleanup involves. To talk about a mold job, call (425) 307-0286. Testing and cleanup are separate jobs, so plan on an independent tester if you want a test.

Call (425) 307-0286