MRS FAQs

Have questions? We have answers. 

What documentation can be submitted when entering mold remediation jobs on my application?

Each job submission must include at least one item from the below list (estimates/invoices alone do not meet this requirement.) 

  • Contracts/work agreements/work authorizations on project documentation showing direct involvement
  • Microbial sampling records
  • Data interpretation
  • Development of job specifications or protocols
  • Photographs
  • Work plan/scope
  • Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)
  • Diagrams/drawings/sketches
  • Psychrometry/Moisture readings
  • Pressure differential readings
  • Daily project records
  • Daily project narrative/notes

For each job detail section, please describe your mold remediation job duties in 2-3 sentences or provide reference to supplemental documentation which you have submitted. Each job must be unique (do not copy/paste info).

 

How can I find someone certified to remediate mold?

You may locate a technician or firm that can provide mold remediation assistance on the IICRC Global Locator, here.

Can I include mold inspection jobs on my MRS Application?

No, the MRS does not include inspection of mold. If you include mold inspection jobs within your MRS Application, we will not count it towards your 12+ months of mold remediation experience.

 

I have a technical question about mold remediation. Who can assist me?

The IICRC does not have anyone on staff that can provide technical advice, as our staff is mostly administrative in nature. All technical inquiries are most appropriately addressed by competent professionals who work in the field.

You may locate a technician or firm that can provide mold remediation assistance through the IICRC Global Locator, here.

I need access to the latest mold resources and information.

Click here to view all the latest mold resources the IICRC has available.

Which IICRC Standard discusses mold?

The relevant Standard which discusses mold is the S520 Standard for Professional Mold Remediation and is currently available for purchase on the IICRC Standards Webstore.

 

Link to webstore: https://iicrc.gilmoreglobal.com/

Is there a pre-requisite course associated with the Mold Remediation Specialist (MRS) Certification?

No, you do not need to have any other Certifications or take any courses to apply for the Mold Remediation Specialist (MRS) Examination. The only pre-requisite to applying is that you must have a minimum of twelve (12) months field experience working in mold remediation.

Your first mold remediation job’s start date and your last mold remediation job’s end date must be at least 12 months apart.

Example of an application with 12+ months of mold remediation experience: 

Job #1: Start date- 10/01/2022 End date- 10/15/2022

Job #2: Start date- 11/05/2022 End date- 11/30/2022

Job #3: Start date- 01/10/2023 End date- 02/15/2023

Job #4: Start date- 05/12/2023 End date- 07/20/2023

Job #5: Start date- 09/15/2023 End date-10/02/2023

 For more information, please refer to the MRS Candidate Handbook.

What is the difference between the AMRT and MRS Certifications?

The AMRT Certification covers mold and sewage remediation techniques while the MRS Certification only covers mold remediation. 

 

The AMRT requires that technicians first obtain the WRT Certification and pass with a 75% or higher before they can obtain the AMRT. Technicians must also take the AMRT course and pass the AMRT exam with a 75% or higher. 

 

The MRS requires that technicians have 12+ months of verifiable field experience working in mold remediation. There is no course associated with the MRS Certification. The MRS is also an ANAB Accredited Certification, while the AMRT is not. 

I’d like to make a complaint or file an appeal regarding my MRS Application/Examination or an MRS Certified Technician.

Please fill out the complaint form in the link here for appeals or complaints.

All Complaints regarding the Certification Process must be reported within 60 days of the event/incident cited, made in writing, sent to the IICRC Staff, and must include:

  • Name and email address of the Complainant.
  • Name against whom the Complaint is made, if applicable.
  • Reference to the MRS Certification policy or procedure that was not followed.
  • A description of how the Policy or Procedure was not followed.
  • Any applicable evidence that supports the Complaint.

For more information, please refer to the MRS Candidate Handbook.

How do I apply to take the MRS Examination?

The MRS Application is a multi-step process and requires eligibility approval and payment of the non-refundable/non-transferable Application Fee. The IICRC will not process incomplete Applications or without the Application Fee Payment. (Mold inspection jobs will not be accepted on Applications.)

To submit your Application:

  1. Log into your profile here (or create a new profile if you don’t already have one)
  2. Select “My Certifications/Exam Registration” and then the “Exam Registration” button
  3. Find the MRS on the list and select it
  4. Upload the required documentation
  5. Fill out the application in full and ensure the mold remediation jobs listed cover a period of at least 12 months
  6. Agree to the Code of Ethics and Candidate Agreement forms
  7. Pay the non-refundable/non-transferable Application Fee of $150 and submit your Application
  8. Your Application status will then say pending approval. You will receive notification of your Application status within ten (10) business days
  9. Once your Application is approved, you must pay the non-refundable/non-transferable Examination Fee of $300
  10. Once your Examination fee is paid, you will receive an email with your testing portal login credentials within ten (10) business days

Candidates have a 90-day period from their Application approval date to pay their Examination fee and take the Examination.

For more information, please refer to the MRS Candidate Handbook.

Can I take the MRS Examination in-person or online?

The MRS Examination is only available online. There is no in-person version of the Examination.

For more information, please refer to the MRS Candidate Handbook.

Why does the Mold Remediation Specialist (MRS) Certification not have a course associated with it?

The MRS Certification is based on mold remediation field experience. During the Application process, applicants are required to submit proof of mold remediation field experience of no less than 12 months. Mold inspection jobs will not be accepted.

For more information, please refer to the MRS Candidate Handbook.

Who can I contact with questions regarding the Mold Remediation Specialist (MRS) Certification?

Please feel free to email us at mrs@iicrcnet.org or give us a call at 844-464-4272 Option 3 for questions about the MRS.

For more information, please refer to the MRS Candidate Handbook.

How much does it cost to become a Mold Remediation Specialist (MRS)?

The MRS Application fee is $150. The MRS Examination fee, once approved, is $300. If you do not pass the Examination the first time, you may attempt the Examination once more within the 90-day period. The cost of Reexamination is $200. If the second Examination is not passed, you must wait one year before reapplying.

Once you have obtained the MRS Certification, you must apply for Recertification every 2 years. The cost of this is $400 (this includes the Examination fee, if applicable).

Please refer to the MRS Candidate Handbook for more information.

All MRS fees are non-refundable/non-transferable.

Where can I find study materials for the Mold Remediation Specialist (MRS) Examination?

The MRS Candidate Handbook includes a list of the reference materials you may use to prepare for the Examination:

  • Section 3: Preparing for the Examination under the “Core Resources”
  • Appendix A under “Content Outline”
  • There is no study guide for the MRS Examination as this is an experience-based test that requires you to already have the knowledge necessary
I need accommodations for the Mold Remediation Specialist (MRS) Examination I’m about to take. Where can I obtain the ADA Forms? Where do I turn those in?

You may click here to download the MRS ADA Form. Once filled out, you may log into your IICRC Profile and upload to your MRS Application, or you may email them to mrs@iicrcnet.org.

 

If you have further questions regarding possible accommodations, please email mrs@iicrcnet.org.

How long is the Mold Remediation Specialist (MRS) Examination?

The MRS Examination is 100 questions, and you have 2 hours to take it. Notes, books, or study guides are not allowed to be referenced during the Examination.

What forms of government-issued IDs do you accept for the Mold Remediation Specialist (MRS) Application?

The IICRC accepts any current and valid government-issued ID such as a Driver’s License, State ID Card, or Passport. All IDs submitted must not be expired. Student IDs or temporary paper IDs will not be accepted.

When can I schedule my Mold Remediation Specialist (MRS) Examination after I am approved and pay the Examination fee?

The IICRC uses Meazure Learning (ProctorU) as our proctor for the MRS Examination. This is a different proctor than what we use for our other, non-accredited Examinations.

You must follow the instructions IICRC staff emails to you after you pay your MRS Examination fee in order to access the proctor’s site. Please note, it can take up to ten (10) business days for IICRC staff to process your Examination payment and give you access to the Examination. After receiving instructions, you may then schedule your MRS Examination with the proctor based on their listed available times.

Click here to visit the Meazure Learning (ProctorU) Help Center

For more information, please refer to the MRS Candidate Handbook.

What is the difference between the Mold Removal Specialist Certification and the new Mold Remediation Specialist Certification?

The Mold Removal Specialist Certification is not Accredited, while the new Mold Remediation Specialist Certification is Accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB).

 

The overall content of the Examination is similar but updated in a Job Task Analysis conducted in 2021.

Do I need the Mold Remediation Specialist (MRS) Certification to open and operate my mold remediation company?

Each county, city, and state have different local laws and regulations regarding operating a mold remediation company. Please check with your local government to obtain details on business requirements.

 

If you are based in Portland, Oregon, Washington, D.C., or the State of Florida, please click here for more information on license requirements.

What languages is the Mold Remediation Specialist (MRS) Examination offered in?

The Mold Remediation Specialist (MRS) Certification is based on a Job Task Analysis (JTA) completed in the United States. Because of this, the Examination is only available in U.S. English with Imperial measurements. We are unable to translate or localize the Examination to regions other than the United States. 

What is ANAB Accreditation and why is it important?

The ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) has Accreditation programs that operate in accordance with international guidelines and have been verified by government and peer review assessments.

 

Being ANAB Accredited assures the IICRC’s competence and reliability regarding our Mold Remediation Specialist (MRS) Certification program. It shows that the IICRC sustains continual improvement through assessment of system effectiveness, efficiency, and competence as well as promotes consistence and demonstrates equivalence of assessments via mutual recognition based on peer review.

 

Click here to learn more about ANAB.

How to get your MRS Certification

Get Certified!

Login to your IICRC profile to register for the MRS Examination