# How to start a crime scene cleaning business: OSHA rules, permits, training and pricing

> A crime scene cleaning business removes blood, body fluids and other biohazards after deaths, injuries and crimes. To start one, build an OSHA bloodborne pathogens program (29 CFR 1910.1030) before your first job, check your state’s medical or trauma scene waste rules, line up a licensed waste hauler, insure the business for pollution and biohazard work, and market to the people who refer these jobs.

Published 2026-10-15 by Broombook · Specialty cleaning services · 13 min read  
Canonical page: https://broombook.com/guides/crime-scene-cleaning-business

## Key takeaways

- The OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard applies the day you have an employee: written exposure control plan, training, PPE and hepatitis B vaccination at no cost to the worker.
- Biohazard waste is regulated mainly by each state, and some states register trauma scene cleaners; California does, through its Department of Public Health.
- You need a contract with a licensed medical waste transporter or treatment facility before you can take a job.
- Use disinfectants on EPA’s List S for bloodborne pathogens, and follow the label exactly.
- Referrals come from police, coroners, property managers, funeral homes and insurers, so relationships matter more than ads.

## What does a crime scene cleaning business do?

A crime scene cleaning business, often called biohazard remediation or trauma scene cleanup, removes and disposes of blood, body fluids, tissue and other potentially infectious material, then cleans and disinfects the space so people can use it again. The work starts only after police or the medical examiner have released the scene.

Typical jobs include:

- **Homicide, suicide and assault scenes** in homes, vehicles and businesses.
- **Unattended deaths**, where a person died alone and was not found for days, which brings fluids soaked into flooring and strong odor.
- **Injury and accident scenes** at workplaces, stores and public places.
- **Hoarding and severely unsanitary homes**, often with animal or human waste. Our guide to starting a [hoarding cleanup business](https://broombook.com/guides/hoarding-cleanup-business) covers the sorting, consent and referral side of these jobs.
- **Sharps and drug paraphernalia cleanups** for landlords and property managers.

California’s Department of Public Health uses a definition that sums it up well. Its [trauma scene waste management practitioner page](https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CEH/DRSEM/Pages/EMB/MedicalWaste/Trauma-Scene.aspx) describes a practitioner as a person who, as a commercial activity, removes human blood, human body fluids and other associated residues from the scene of a serious human injury, illness or death.

Two things set this apart from every other cleaning service. First, the materials can carry diseases like HIV and hepatitis B and C, so the work is regulated by OSHA and by state waste rules. Second, your clients are often families on the worst day of their lives. Discretion, plain unmarked vehicles if the family prefers, and calm communication are part of the job.

## What does the OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard require?

Once you have employees who may contact blood or other potentially infectious materials, OSHA’s bloodborne pathogens standard, [29 CFR 1910.1030](https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1030), requires a written exposure control plan, training, protective equipment, safe handling of sharps and waste, hepatitis B vaccination and post-exposure follow-up. Build the program before your first job, even as a solo owner, because it is how you protect yourself too.

### The core requirements

- **A written exposure control plan.** It lists the tasks with exposure, the controls you use and what to do after an exposure. The standard says it must be reviewed and updated at least once a year and whenever tasks change.
- **Personal protective equipment at no cost to the worker.** The standard names gloves, gowns, face shields or masks and eye protection among the examples, and the employer must provide it.
- **Hepatitis B vaccination.** It must be made available at no cost, after training and within 10 working days of initial assignment, to every employee with occupational exposure, unless they are already vaccinated or immune. A worker may decline, and the standard sets out how that is documented.
- **Post-exposure evaluation and follow-up** for any worker who has an exposure incident, such as a needlestick or a splash to the eyes.
- **Training** at the time of initial assignment and at least once a year after that, during working hours.
- **Sharps containers** that are closable, puncture resistant, leakproof on the sides and bottom, and labeled or color-coded.
- **Decontamination.** Contaminated surfaces must be cleaned with an appropriate disinfectant, and contaminated equipment handled so it does not spread the material.
- **Records.** Training records must be kept for 3 years. Employee medical records must be kept for the duration of employment plus 30 years.

OSHA’s [bloodborne pathogens topic page](https://www.osha.gov/bloodborne-pathogens) links to model plans, fact sheets and enforcement guidance. Start from a model exposure control plan and adapt it to your jobs rather than writing one from scratch.

### Respirators and chemicals

Many jobs need respirators for odor, mold, chemical fumes or dust. When respirators are needed, OSHA’s respiratory protection standard, [29 CFR 1910.134](https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.134), requires a written respiratory protection program, a medical evaluation before a worker is fit tested or uses a respirator, and fit testing for tight-fitting respirators before first use and at least once a year. Your disinfectants, enzyme cleaners and deodorizers also fall under OSHA’s [Hazard Communication Standard](https://www.osha.gov/hazcom): keep a safety data sheet for each product, keep containers labeled, and train your crew on them. Mold removal itself is a separate trade that some states license; see how to start a [mold remediation business](https://broombook.com/guides/mold-remediation-business) for the licenses, IICRC S520 training and containment.

## Which state rules apply to biohazard waste and trauma scene cleanup?

Waste from a trauma scene is usually treated as medical or biohazardous waste, and that is regulated mainly by each state, not by a single federal rule. Some states also register the cleanup companies themselves. Check your state environmental and health departments before you take a job.

### Why it is a state question

The EPA’s [medical waste page](https://www.epa.gov/rcra/medical-waste) explains that medical waste is primarily regulated by state environmental and health departments, and that the EPA has not had specific authority over it since the Medical Waste Tracking Act of 1988 expired in 1991. The EPA tells anyone disposing of medical waste to contact their state environmental program first. Rules on how you package, label, store and transport the waste, and who may treat it, differ from state to state.

### California as an example

California is one of the clearest examples of a state that registers this work. The [California Department of Public Health](https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CEH/DRSEM/Pages/EMB/MedicalWaste/Trauma-Scene.aspx) says a trauma scene waste management practitioner must register with the department and follow Chapter 9.5 of the Health and Safety Code, starting at section 118321, part of the Medical Waste Management Act. The practitioner must also show proof of a contract with a registered medical waste transporter or the permitted facility that will receive the waste, and proof of proper disposal at renewal. Registered practitioners appear on a public list the department publishes.

That registration has a direct business effect. The California Victim Compensation Board’s page for [crime scene cleanup service providers](https://victims.ca.gov/for-service-providers/crime-scene-cleanup-service-providers/) says it may reimburse reasonable costs to clean a crime scene in a residence or vehicle, up to $1,709, and only for cleanup done by a practitioner registered with the Department of Public Health. It pays only for biohazard cleanup, not damaged property, and it pays only after other sources such as insurance.

### What to check in your state

1. Your state health or environmental department: does it register trauma scene or biohazard cleanup companies?
2. How your state classifies trauma scene waste, and its packaging, labeling, storage and transport rules.
3. Whether you may transport the waste yourself or must hand it to a licensed medical waste transporter.
4. Which treatment facilities near you accept it, and their prices and pickup schedule.
5. Your state’s crime victim compensation program and whether it pays for cleanup and requires any registration.
6. Your city and county business license, plus any local permit for storing waste at your shop.

For the general setup any service company needs, see [what licenses are needed to start a cleaning business](https://broombook.com/guides/cleaning-business-license). Rules change, so confirm everything with the agency itself.

## How to start a crime scene cleaning business, step by step

Get trained, write your OSHA programs, sort out state registration and a waste contract, insure the business, buy your equipment, and then build referral relationships. Expect the setup to take longer than for a normal cleaning service, because the paperwork has to be done before the first call.

1. **Get trained.** Take bloodborne pathogens training, respirator training and fit testing, and a course in biohazard remediation from a recognized trainer. Working for an established remediation company first is the best training there is.
2. **Write your programs.** An exposure control plan, a respiratory protection program, a hazard communication program, and written procedures for each job type.
3. **Line up waste disposal.** Sign a contract with a licensed medical waste transporter or treatment facility. Many states and payers want to see it.
4. **Register with your state** if it registers trauma scene or biohazard cleanup companies.
5. **Register the business.** Name, EIN, bank account and the right entity. Liability is real in this field, so read [LLC for a cleaning business](https://broombook.com/guides/llc-for-cleaning-business) before you choose. The general setup order is in [our startup guide](https://broombook.com/guides/how-to-start-a-cleaning-business).
6. **Get insured.** See the next section.
7. **Get vaccinated and set up medical follow-up.** Arrange hepatitis B vaccination and a clinic for post-exposure evaluation before anyone works a scene.
8. **Buy equipment and supplies.** See the list below.
9. **Build referral sources.** See the section on finding work.

### Equipment and supplies

| Item | Why you need it |
| --- | --- |
| Disposable coveralls, nitrile gloves (double gloving), boot covers, face shields and goggles | Barrier protection required by your exposure control plan |
| Respirators with the right cartridges, plus fit testing | Odor, chemicals, mold and dust on many jobs |
| EPA List S disinfectants and enzyme cleaners | Disinfecting surfaces against bloodborne pathogens |
| Red biohazard bags, rigid biohazard boxes and sharps containers | Packaging waste the way your state and your hauler require |
| Utility knives, pry bars and a reciprocating saw | Removing soaked carpet, pad, drywall and subfloor |
| Air scrubbers with HEPA filters and fans | Air quality and drying during and after the work |
| Plastic sheeting, tape and signs | Containment and keeping the family and public out of the work area |
| A work vehicle with sealed storage, plus a cleanup kit for spills in transit | Keeping waste contained between the scene and the hauler |
| Camera and forms | Before, during and after photos and a written record for insurers and payers |

### Disinfectants: the label is the rule

Use products on the EPA’s [List S](https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/epas-registered-antimicrobial-products-effective-against-bloodborne), its list of registered antimicrobial products effective against bloodborne pathogens (HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C). EPA has reviewed lab data showing these products kill those viruses, but only when used as the label says. Clean visible soil first, then apply the disinfectant and keep the surface wet for the full contact time on the label.

## What insurance does a biohazard cleanup company need?

Expect to need general liability, pollution liability, workers’ compensation once you hire, and commercial auto for the vehicle that carries waste. A standard cleaning policy may not cover biohazard or pollution work, so tell the agent exactly what you do.

The SBA’s [business insurance guide](https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/launch-your-business/get-business-insurance) describes general liability as coverage for bodily injury, property damage and legal defense for any business. In biohazard work the bigger risks are often a contamination claim (a family member exposed after you leave, or waste spilled in transit), which is what a contractor’s pollution liability policy is for.

- **General liability** for damage and injury at the scene.
- **Contractor’s pollution liability** for contamination claims. Ask that it cover biological contaminants and transport.
- **Workers’ compensation**, set by state law, for needlesticks, exposures, back injuries and cuts.
- **Commercial auto** for the work vehicle, with the agent aware it carries regulated waste.
- **Professional or errors and omissions coverage** if you write remediation reports or clearance statements that others rely on.

Our [cleaning business insurance guide](https://broombook.com/guides/cleaning-business-insurance) explains the common policies and the care, custody or control exclusion. Insurance carriers that pay homeowners’ claims may also want to see your certificates before they approve you on a claim.

## How much should you charge for crime scene cleanup?

Most companies quote after seeing the scene, charging for technician hours, materials and protective equipment, waste disposal by the container, and any materials removed and replaced. Build each quote from your real costs and put every line in writing before you start.

### What drives the price

- **Size and spread.** A contained scene on tile is a few hours. Fluids that soaked through carpet, pad and subfloor mean demolition.
- **Time since the event.** Unattended deaths found late bring odor and deeper contamination.
- **Waste volume.** Every biohazard box costs money to haul and treat.
- **Crew size and PPE.** Most scenes need two or more technicians, each going through disposable PPE.
- **After hours.** Calls come at night and on weekends. Price emergency response accordingly.

### A worked example (hypothetical numbers)

Say a two-person crew spends 6 hours on a bedroom scene, you pay technicians $28 an hour, PPE and supplies run $150, and disposal of 4 biohazard boxes costs $60 a box.

| Cost for the job | How it is worked out | Amount |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Labor | 2 technicians × 6 hours × $28 | $336.00 |
| PPE, disinfectants and supplies | Assumed | $150.00 |
| Waste disposal | 4 boxes × $60, an assumed hauler price | $240.00 |
| Direct cost |  | $726.00 |
| Price with 35% overhead and insurance, 20% profit | $726 ÷ 0.45 | about $1,613 |

Overhead is set high here because training, vaccination, fit testing, pollution insurance and on-call time are expensive. Replace every number with your own. Send the estimate in writing before work starts; the [estimate template](https://broombook.com/tools/cleaning-estimate-template) is a simple starting point.

### Who pays

Payment may come from the family, a homeowners or commercial insurance claim, a landlord or property manager, a business, or a state victim compensation program. Be clear about who is responsible before you start, give families plain written estimates, and never pressure a grieving person to sign on the spot. Where a state program pays, follow its billing rules exactly; California’s, for example, pays only registered practitioners and only as a payer of last resort.

## How do crime scene cleaners find work?

Mostly through referrals. The people who call you are the ones who arrive first or handle what comes after: police and victim advocates, coroners and medical examiners, funeral homes, property managers, insurance adjusters and restoration companies.

- **Victim services and advocates.** Many police departments and prosecutors’ offices have victim advocates who give families a list of cleanup companies. Ask how to get on it.
- **Coroners and medical examiners.** They meet families at unattended deaths. Leave plain, respectful materials.
- **Funeral homes.** Families ask them who to call.
- **Property managers and landlords.** Unattended deaths, hoarding and drug cleanups happen in rentals, and managers need a reliable call.
- **Insurance adjusters and restoration companies.** Fire and water restoration firms often subcontract biohazard work.
- **Search.** Families search on their phones in the middle of the night. A Google Business Profile with a 24-hour number, clear service area and plain language matters. See [cleaning company SEO](https://broombook.com/guides/seo-for-cleaning-companies).

Keep your marketing quiet and respectful: no graphic photos, no pressure, and no contacting families who have not asked for help. For more on building referral relationships, see [how to get clients for a cleaning business](https://broombook.com/guides/how-to-get-cleaning-clients).

## Is a biohazard cleanup business right for you?

It can pay well per job, and the training and rules keep many cleaners out, but the work is irregular, emotionally heavy and heavily regulated. Be honest with yourself about the stress before you invest.

| Strengths | Challenges |
| --- | --- |
| High value per job compared with routine cleaning | Irregular demand: some weeks bring several calls, some none |
| Fewer competitors, because of the training and rules | Setup costs for training, vaccination, PPE and waste contracts |
| Referral relationships build a steady pipeline over time | On call nights and weekends |
| Work that genuinely helps families and communities | Emotional toll on owners and crews |

### Look after your crew

Scenes can affect even experienced technicians. Talk after hard jobs, rotate people off the worst ones, and know where to point someone who needs support. Hire for steadiness and discretion as much as for cleaning skill; our guide on [how to hire cleaners](https://broombook.com/guides/how-to-hire-cleaners) covers interviews and background checks.

### Running it alongside a cleaning company

If you already run a house cleaning business, keep biohazard work separate: a separately trained team, separate equipment, and its own insurance. Your regular cleaners should never be sent into a scene without the training and protection the OSHA standard requires. Broombook is built for scheduling and billing residential house cleaning, so it fits the regular cleaning side, not emergency biohazard dispatch.

## Frequently asked questions

### Do you need a license to clean crime scenes?

It depends on your state. Some states register trauma scene cleanup companies; California requires registration with its Department of Public Health and a contract with a registered medical waste transporter or permitted facility. Everywhere, the waste is regulated mainly by state rules, and the OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard applies once you have employees. Check with your state health and environmental departments.

### What training does a crime scene cleaner need?

At minimum, bloodborne pathogens training under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030 at the time of assignment and every year after, respirator training and fit testing if respirators are used, and hazard communication training for the chemicals. Most new owners also take a biohazard remediation course and, ideally, work for an established company first.

### How do you dispose of biohazard waste from a scene?

Package it the way your state requires, usually red bags inside rigid labeled containers, and sharps in closable, puncture-resistant containers. Then hand it to a licensed medical waste transporter or bring it to a permitted treatment facility, depending on your state’s rules. Never put it in regular trash. The EPA says to contact your state environmental program first.

### Who pays for crime scene cleanup?

It can be the family, homeowners or commercial insurance, a landlord or business, or a state victim compensation program. California’s program, for example, may reimburse up to $1,709 for cleanup of a residence or vehicle when the work is done by a registered practitioner, and pays only after other sources. Agree who pays before you start.

### Do employees need the hepatitis B vaccine?

The employer must offer it. Under the OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard, the vaccine must be made available at no cost, after training and within 10 working days of initial assignment, to every employee with occupational exposure. An employee may decline, and the standard sets out how that is documented, but you still have to offer it.

### Can a regular cleaning company do biohazard cleanup?

Not without the same training, written programs, equipment, insurance and waste arrangements a dedicated biohazard company has. A house cleaning crew should not be sent into a trauma scene. If you want to add the service, set it up as a separate team with its own procedures and coverage.

## Sources

- [OSHA: 29 CFR 1910.1030, bloodborne pathogens standard](https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1030)
- [OSHA: Bloodborne pathogens and needlestick prevention](https://www.osha.gov/bloodborne-pathogens)
- [OSHA: 29 CFR 1910.134, respiratory protection](https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.134)
- [OSHA: Hazard Communication](https://www.osha.gov/hazcom)
- [U.S. EPA: Medical waste](https://www.epa.gov/rcra/medical-waste)
- [U.S. EPA: Registered antimicrobial products effective against bloodborne pathogens (List S)](https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/epas-registered-antimicrobial-products-effective-against-bloodborne)
- [California Department of Public Health: Trauma Scene Waste Management Practitioners](https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CEH/DRSEM/Pages/EMB/MedicalWaste/Trauma-Scene.aspx)
- [California Victim Compensation Board: Crime scene cleanup service providers](https://victims.ca.gov/for-service-providers/crime-scene-cleanup-service-providers/)
- [U.S. Small Business Administration: Get business insurance](https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/launch-your-business/get-business-insurance)

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