Protecting Yourself Against Unlicensed Contractors in Florida
Each year homeowners and businessmen lose hundreds of thousands of dollars, not to mention the mental stress, to uncertified (unlicensed) contractors and craftsmen posing as contractors. The new mold licensing law will help prevent the kind of fraud that has plagued the construction industry. Those who are currently working have an opportunity to “grandfather in” [...]
Letter from the Editor on Chinese Drywall Training
“We have been studying the Contaminated Drywall issue (formally referred to as ‘Chinese Drywall’, ‘Defective Drywall’, ‘Imported Drywall’ and ‘Corrosive Drywall’) for nearly two years. Our team of expert researchers, engineers, construction professionals, microbiologists and remediation specialists started in the summer of 2008 when clients first called NORMI looking for solutions. There has been a [...]
June 24, 2010 In the last few weeks judges in Louisiana and Florida are adjudicating drywall cases and finding in favor of the plaintiffs. What this means to the industry could be significant, of course, but what it means to the plaintiff is, in our opinion, more significant—BECAUSE there is no contractor who can do [...]
One of the most interesting things about the Corrosive Chinese Drywall problems is the lack of professionals who are able to actually work on the projects. Many insurance companies are sending letters to their insured contractors EXCLUDING any work on this drywall. What does that mean to the homeowner or property owner who wants to [...]
March 26, 2010 Abita Springs, LA Governor Charlie Crist of Florida signed HB0713 on Wednesday evening, March 25, 2010 at 6:43pm providing for those currently working in the mold industry to be licensed under a “grandfather clause” option thus waiving the standard licensing requirements. When Florida’s new Mold Licensing Law goes into effect on July [...]
NORMI, the National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors has introduced the first of its kind, proctored interview exam for those interested in becoming certified as a Mold Assessor (CMA) or Mold Remediator (CMR). Managed by the NORMI Standards and Compliance Division, the two-part examination/interview process now guarantees that the applicant has a clear understanding [...]
Some have put this off until the decision by Governor Crist was made regarding the Grandfather clause. It is NOW LAW! Signed yesterday, May 26, 2010 at 6:43pm by the Governor
Crist, the law reads like this:
468.8423 Grandfather clause.
(1) A person who performs mold assessment or mold remediation as defined in this part may qualify for licensure to be licensed by the department as a mold assessor or mold
remediator if the person submits his or her application to the department by March 1, 2011, whether postmarked or delivered by that date, and if the person:
(a)Is certified as a mold assessor or mold remediator by a state or national association that requires, for such certification, successful completion of a proctored
examination on mold assessment or mold remediation, as applicable, and completes at least 60 hours of education on mold assessment or at least 30 hours of education on mold
remediation,as applicable
So, how do you comply?
(ONLY CMA/CMRs who complete these steps can be qualified)
On the last day of these classes, a Proctored Exam is offered to those students who want to be certified. You can sit for this exam even if you haven't taken the
hours but your test is MANDATORY for anyone wanting licensure in Florida under this statute.
As a CMA you will need to take, or be able to verify that you have taken, an additional 28 hours of training and turn that paperwork in with your license
application. If you are licensing as a CMR you do not need these additional hours.
You must be Certified, ACTIVE, and maintain your certification if you want to continue to receive the benefits that NORMI Membership offers. The certifications expire
annually, on the last day of February each year, NORMI provides a self-regulating webpage in its member section where you can record your recertification credits (20 per yr)
There ARE NO ANNUAL RENEWAL FEES, only your monthly ACTIVE MEMBER BENEFITS fee starting at just $9.95 per month which also gives you access to discounted classes and
access to 2 hours of CE Training EVERY TUESDAY night in our NORMI LIVE TRAINING ROOM online. To review the features and beneifts of NORMI membership please go to Join.NORMI.org .
There is another provision of the grandfather clause that allows you to be licensed and waive the training and/or proctored examination, if you can prove you have at least
three (3) years of experience by submitting at least 40 mold assessment or remediation invoices. For many, this clause will prove more problematic than simply getting the
right training. Of course other state licensing requirements, including examination, may apply.
NOTICE: If you have already been certified as a NORMI CMA or CMR, please DO NOT ASSUME that you will be able to use that certification as meeting this
requirement UNLESS you've taken the class and the proctored examination after January 1, 2010. The proctored interview is still a part of the certification process but the
proctored examination must be taken.
The ONLINE test DOES NOT QUALIFY. Therefore, in the State of Florida, all CMAs and CMRs that are not licensed by the state after having met their requirements, will no longer
be given that designation by NORMI. It is our intention to promote ONLY licensed contractors on our NORMIPro site after July 1, 2010 so get trained, certified, and licensed NOW.
There are many professionals who will be unlicensed after July 1st and we have no intention of promoting their UNlicensed status.
Who Can Sit for Proctored Examination
If trained since 01/2010--if you have been trained at an BTS onsite CMA/CMR class since 01/2010, you may sit for the proctored examination at any upcoming class
by simply calling 888.856.4803 x 801 to reserve your seat, at least one week in advance.
If challenging the exam--if you have been trained or certified by a nationally recognized organization other than NORMI (or your NORMI CMI, CMA, or CMR
certification has expired) and want to sit for the NORMI proctored examination and be certified by NORMI, you may pay for the NORMI Certification process and sit for the
proctored examination by completing the "Accreditation Application" available at http://www.normi.org/join-options.php and calling 888.856.4803 x 801 to reserve your seat, at least one week in advance.
If NORMI Certified CMA/CMR--if you currently hold a NORMI CMA or CMR certification, have maintained your NORMI Active Member status, and complied with your CE
requirements, you may sit for the proctored examination at any upcoming class by simply calling 888.856.4803 x 801 to reserve your seat, at least one week in advance.
QUESTIONS about this law, our classes or certifications may be directed to or 877.251.2296
