Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
What happens when you've spotted mold — or something that looks like it — on an HVAC call? Here's What To Do.
In Florida, HVAC contractors are not licensed for mold remediation, which means saying the word "mold" could put you in legally murky territory. What do you say instead? The state wants you to use the term "suspicious growth" — and there's an actual standard behind it.
If the suspicious growth covers less than 10 contiguous square feet, you're legally allowed to clean or remove it yourself — as long as you also address what's causing it. And the cause is almost always a moisture problem.
Go beyond that 10 sq ft threshold, and it's time to stop and get a licensed mold remediator involved. That's not a loophole — that's the standard written into Florida statute.
Knowing what to do (and what not to say) protects you, your license, and your client.
What happens when you've spotted mold — or something that looks like it — on an HVAC call? Here's What To Do.
In Florida, HVAC contractors are not licensed for mold remediation, which means saying the word "mold" could put you in legally murky territory. What do you say instead? The state wants you to use the term "suspicious growth" — and there's an actual standard behind it.
If the suspicious growth covers less than 10 contiguous square feet, you're legally allowed to clean or remove it yourself — as long as you also address what's causing it. And the cause is almost always a moisture problem.
Go beyond that 10 sq ft threshold, and it's time to stop and get a licensed mold remediator involved. That's not a loophole — that's the standard written into Florida statute.
Knowing what to do (and what not to say) protects you, your license, and your client.
