Mold in the Basement: What New York Law Requires Before You Hire

Mold needs moisture, so the first step is always to find and fix the water source. For larger areas, New York has a licensing law for mold assessors and remediators, and it is worth understanding before you sign anything.

Quick diagnosis checklist

  1. Find the moisture source. Mold will return if the water problem is not solved. Look at gutters, grading, plumbing leaks, humidity and the sump pump.
  2. Size the problem. The EPA says small areas can often be cleaned by homeowners, and larger areas may call for professional help.
  3. Know the licensing rule. New York Labor Law Article 32 generally requires licensed mold assessors and remediators for projects over about ten contiguous square feet, and requires that the assessor and remediator be independent of each other on a project. Read the DOL pages for the exact rules.
  4. Check licenses. Ask for the license number and check it in the NYS Department of Labor's mold program or its open data set on data.ny.gov.
  5. Get a written plan. A licensed assessor writes a remediation plan and clears the job afterward.
  6. Ask about the county license too. Westchester County requires home improvement contractors to hold a county license. Ask whether the remediation company also holds one and check it in the county search. See our guide on checking a Westchester contractor license.
  7. Dry and repair. Dry the area completely and fix what caused the moisture before rebuilding.

DIY or call a pro?

For small areas, follow EPA guidance and protect yourself. For larger areas, hire a licensed assessor first and a separate licensed remediation contractor. Always confirm current requirements with the NYS Department of Labor, because we are a directory and not a licensing authority.

Frequently asked questions

Can the same company assess and remediate?

Under New York's mold law, an assessor generally cannot also perform the remediation on the same project. Check the law for details.

How do I check a license?

Use the NYS Department of Labor mold program and its open license dataset.

Sources

  1. NYS Department of Labor, Mold Program
  2. NY Labor Law Article 32 (Mold Assessment and Remediation)
  3. data.ny.gov, Mold Contractor Licenses (Four-Year Window)
  4. EPA, A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home
  5. Westchester County, Licensed Home Improvement Contractor Search

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