How to Get a Contractor License in Mississippi

The board's FAQ sets the thresholds. All contractors and subcontractors on commercial jobs over $50,000, including equipment installation, need a commercial license. Fire sprinkler work needs one on public projects over $5,000 and private projects over $10,000.

On the residential side, a license is required for new residential construction over $50,000, residential remodeling or additions over $10,000, and residential roofing over $10,000. Subcontractors doing residential electrical, mechanical, HVAC or plumbing work on a residential project must be licensed as well, and construction managers and residential solar contractors need a state license.

Commercial applicants choose a major classification, a specialty classification or both. The major classifications are Building Construction; Heavy Construction; Highway, Street and Bridge; Mechanical; Electrical; and Municipal and Public Works. Specialty classifications cover narrower trades such as drywall, roofing and process piping.

Residential classifications are Residential Building, Residential Remodeling, Residential Roofing, Construction Manager, Residential Solar, Residential Mechanical, Residential HVAC, Residential Plumbing and Residential Electrical. Adding a classification later takes an additional classification form and $100 per class. If you are unsure which classification fits, MSBOC's licensing agents will help; describe the work accurately so the license actually covers it.

Every licensed company needs at least one qualifying party, the tested person who stands behind the work. A sole proprietor qualifies personally; a partnership or corporation designates an owner, officer or responsible managing employee. Proof of employment, such as a check stub, W-2 or Secretary of State listing, is required for each one, and different qualifiers may take the Law and Business Management exam and the trade exam.

One person may qualify no more than three companies without the board's special permission. If a qualifier leaves, the company must notify the board right away and replace the qualifier within 90 days, or face a hearing on suspension or revocation. A change of qualifying party costs $25.

Commercial applications cost $400 and residential applications $50, both non-refundable. Applicants have 180 days to finish; incomplete files are destroyed after that. Use blue or black ink, answer every question (write N/A where needed) and use the exact business name you will contract under. Entities must be in good standing with the Mississippi Secretary of State, and commercial applicants need a Mississippi sales or use tax number. Each qualifying party must have a U.S. Social Security number.

The board weighs experience and ability, character, performance on previous contracts, financial condition and exam results. Answer the background questions fully: a conviction does not automatically bar a license, but failing to disclose one can lead to denial. In the experience section, list projects in the classification you want; office duties do not count.

Mississippi requires the application first. MSBOC reviews it, tells PSI you are eligible, and PSI emails a confirmation; you cannot schedule until you have it. Every applicant takes the Mississippi Law and Business Management exam, and a trade exam is added when the classification calls for one. General building contractors may take the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building instead of the Mississippi Building Construction exam, and master electrical candidates may take the NASCLA electrical exam. The companion exam guide covers formats and outlines.

Reciprocity waives only trade exams. MSBOC lists agreements with boards in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina and Tennessee, each with its own classifications and conditions, and it still honors Louisiana exam scores. Tennessee is the only one that waives mechanical and plumbing. Every applicant still takes the Mississippi Business and Law exam.

Completed applications with passing scores go to the board weekly on Fridays, and approved licenses are issued the following Wednesday. After noon that Wednesday you can look up the license number, expiration date and status with the board's Search Contractor tool. A license is valid for one year. Starting in 2026, MSBOC emails renewal notices about 60 days before expiration, so keep your email address current. A late renewal is possible up to 180 days after expiration; after that you file a new application.

Residential qualifying parties must complete 2 hours of continuing education from a board-approved provider to keep a residential license issued on or after July 1, 2015. A contractor not currently building can go inactive for a $25 fee, but still pays annual renewal fees and cannot bid, contract, pull permits or work until reactivated.

For the exam stage, ContractorPrepHQ's Mississippi practice gives you original questions written from the PSI outlines and reference lists, a diagnostic, topic drills with explanations and timed practice exams with a readiness score. Law and Business Management prep is $99; trade prep is $149 and includes it. Both are one-time purchases with lifetime access and a 30-day money-back guarantee, and neither counts for the residential education hours.