• Does this certification enable me to be a licensed Mold Inspector/ Remediator in my state?

Yes.  Our certification will enable you to be a licensed Mold Inspector/ Remediator in all 50 states.  It is important to note that the Mold Inspector Profession is not currently regulated by any state or government agency.  Take for instance the pest control industry.  In order for one to acquire a business license to perform pest control, many states require that you pass a state certified exam before they will issue you a license.  The mold inspection industry is still in its infancy, it is hard to say if or when any state or federal agency will step in to regulate it.  However, those whom have been practicing inspection and or remediation at any such time will be grandfathered in.   Consequently, your certification gives you the credibility and formal training needed to be successful in this new industry.  Furthermore, it will equip you with the knowledge and expertise to pass a state exam if one were to ever be imposed. We encourage you to contact your Secretary of State to verify the validity of this statement.

• How long does it take to complete the course?

The average person spends 4 days getting acquainted with the material.  The test will take approximately One and a half hours to complete. However, the length of the course will vary based on the amount of time you spend learning the material.

• After I receive my certification will I be adequately prepared to perform my first mold inspection or remediation?

Yes.  Most of our students are able to perform their first inspection with complete confidence.  There is a complete section of the book that walks you step by step from start to finish.  In addition, we have a toll-free line set-up to answer any questions the inspector may have.  Furthermore, we offer on-site training for those who would like to be walked through their first inspection.

• How much money should I expect to spend on start-up equipment and supplies?

A fully equipped inspector whom has all of the latest testing equipment and supplies should expect to spend approximately $900.  However, it is not necessary to purchase every tool available in order to perform an inspection.  Although, we encourage you to equip yourself with everything you can afford as the latest equipment and supplies give you the tools necessary to perform a professional inspection. 

• Do I need a degree in biology or a scientific background in order to understand the material and laboratory results?

No.  As a Certified Mold Inspector your duties are to professionally gather samples and inspect properties for indications of mold problems.  It would be a conflict of interest for an inspector to perform an analysis of his or her own samples.  However, an understanding of construction and/or building science is helpful.  An inspector's duty is not only to take samples, but also to find the source of the problem.  Mold is always preceded by a moisture problem. Common sources of moisture problems in the building envelope include plumbing leaks, roof leaks, foundation leaks and excess humidity.  It is just as important to identify the mold as it is to determine the source of the problem.  The results that you get back from the labratory will both, identify and quantify the types of mold that you found.  The course teaches the inspector how to read the results and put them in laymens terms for his or her client. 

• What is different about Schatz Mold Institute in comparison to other mold certification schools?

There are currently about 30 schools offering the same certification across the United States.  Prior to putting together our course, we attended about a dozen of these seminars and have put together a course that is more inclusive than anything that is currently available.  The bread and butter of Schatz Services Unlimited, Inc. is not our school (Schatz Mold Inspection Institute).  We are a fully equipped Mold Inspection and Remediation company with many years of experience in the industry.  We are currently one of the only schools that offer the certification via home study.   In addition, our course also teaches the inspector everything he or she will need to know from deciding what type of business to setup (sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation, etc.) to what the most effective forms of advertising are.  In addition to learning the mold profession you are also learning how to be successful in this ground floor industry.

• What laboratory should I use?

There are literally thousands of laboratories whom are equipped to perform indoor air quality and fungi analysis.  However, only a handful specialized in this sort of analysis and are recognized by the American Industrial Hygiene Association.  The course extensively elaborates on this topic and gives suggestions on whom to use.

• Where do I get my testing equipment and supplies?

There are numerous companies that offer inspector equipment and supplies. Our extensive experience in this industry has helped us find not only the best sources of equipment but the best prices on equipment as well.  Knowing whom to order equipment and supplies will save you both a lot of money and time as it is our experience that not all suppliers are created equal.  We have outlined whom we believe to be the best sources for inspection and remediation equipment in the book.    

·        Is there really a market for such a new and specialized profession?

Absolutely, Mold is to now as Asbestos was to 1978.  Much like asbestos it’s not something that will be here today and forgotten tomorrow.   This industry will continue to grow right along with the science and understanding of how mold can destroy both human health and the structural integrity of buildings.

• $375.00???? Why so inexpensive?

Our course is second to none in the industry in terms of content, completeness, and price.  Our continuing goal is to offer the best certification course available at the best possible price.  Furthermore, we offer price matching to anyone whom can find a comparable certification course at a better price.  The old adage, "you get what you pay for", simply doesn't hold water when it comes to the competitive nature of correspondence type Mold Inspection Certification Courses.

• Residential Hygienist, Certified Property Mold Specialist, Mold Inspector, Toxic Mold Detective, Certified Environmental Inspector, Indoor Environmental Specialist?????

The aforementioned titles are just fancy names for the same certification.  The training for each is the exact same.  The titles are just a creative way to market you to a specific clientele.  If you would prefer to have a title that is different than the one on your certification you can be as creative as you would like own your own business cards.