Contractor Licensing in Mississippi: Which Trades Need a License
Yes, Mississippi requires a statewide license for 5 of 5 contractor trades, issued by the Mississippi State Board of Contractors. Initial costs run $290 to $640.
Mississippi requires contractors to be licensed through the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) for commercial projects exceeding $50,000 and residential projects exceeding $10,000–$50,000 depending on the trade. The state does not license individual electricians or plumbers at the state level — those are handled locally — but electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and roofing contractors must hold an MSBOC license for work above the monetary thresholds. All license types require passing a Business and Law Management exam plus a trade-specific exam administered by PSI. Beginning in 2026, MSBOC sends renewal notices by email only.
General Contractor
RequiredOversees and manages construction projects, coordinating subcontractors, materials, and timelines for residential and commercial builds.
View full requirements →Electrician
RequiredInstalls, maintains, and repairs electrical wiring, systems, and fixtures in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.
View full requirements →Plumber
RequiredInstalls and repairs water supply lines, drainage systems, fixtures, and appliances in buildings and other structures.
View full requirements →HVAC Technician
RequiredInstalls, services, and repairs heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems.
View full requirements →Roofing Contractor
RequiredInstalls, repairs, and replaces roofing systems on residential and commercial structures.
View full requirements →Reciprocity Agreements
Mississippi has reciprocity agreements with 9 states. Licensed contractors from these states may be eligible to skip certain exams. Full Mississippi reciprocity guide: which states, what is waived, what it costs →
Mississippi Licensing Overview
Mississippi requires statewide licensing for 5 of 5 contractor trades. The licensed trades — general contractor, electrician, plumber, hvac technician, roofing contractor — are regulated by the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC). Across all licensed trades, initial costs range from $290 to $640, including application fees, exams, license issuance, fingerprinting, and any other fees the state requires to obtain the license. Mississippi also participates in reciprocity agreements with 9 other states, which can streamline the process for out-of-state contractors.
Mississippi Contractor License Cost Summary
| Trade | Application | Exam | License | Bond | Est. Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Contractor | $400 | $240 | — | — | $640 |
| Electrician | $400 | $240 | — | — | $640 |
| Plumber | $400 | $240 | — | — | $640 |
| HVAC Technician | $400 | $240 | — | — | $640 |
| Roofing Contractor | $50 | $240 | — | — | $290 |
Estimated totals include application, exam, license, and fingerprinting fees, plus any other fees the state requires to obtain the license. Bond amounts are separate and typically paid as an annual premium.
Set up the business before you apply in Mississippi
Most states license the company as well as the person, so the application usually asks for an LLC or corporation and a registered agent in Mississippi. Northwest forms the entity and acts as your registered agent — a flat fee, no upsell funnel.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Form an LLC with Northwest→Recommended exam prep
Formal prep pays for itself against a $100+ retake. Many states examine contractors on two separate papers — the trade exam and a business and law exam — so we list the course covering both first, with trade-specific depth after.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Mometrix · SponsoredContractor License Online Study CourseFull online prep course covering the trade and business-and-law exams — video lessons, practice questions, and a study plan built for a first-try pass.See the course →
Mometrix · SponsoredContractor's Exam FlashcardsPortable flashcards for the high-frequency exam topics — a cheaper add-on for drilling terms and code references on the go.See the flashcards →Key Facts About Mississippi Contractor Licensing
- General liability: minimum $300,000 per occurrence and $600,000 aggregate with MSBOC listed as certificate holder. Workers compensation: required if 5 or more employees.
- Mississippi has reciprocity agreements with 9 states, which may allow licensed contractors to skip certain exams.
- Commercial license threshold: projects over $50,000
- Residential Builder threshold: new construction over $50,000
- Residential Remodeler threshold: improvements over $10,000
You're licensed in Mississippi — the next 30 days
Most of the steps below are required before your first paid job; the order is the order the state and its counties will ask for them.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Form the business and get an EIN.
The Mississippi State Board of Contractors issues the Commercial Building Construction / Residential Builder; the business that invoices Mississippi customers is a separate decision. A sole proprietorship is the default, an LLC keeps business liability off your personal assets, and either needs an EIN before the first payroll. Settle it before the license number goes on an estimate.
Bond: none required by the state.
Mississippi does not require a surety bond for this license — No statewide surety bond required by MSBOC. However, many municipalities (Tupelo $10,000, Ridgeland $5,000, Hattiesburg $2,000, Brandon $5,000) require local surety bonds, typically $2,000–$10,000.
Carry the insurance the license requires.
Mississippi requires general liability insurance for this license. General liability: minimum $300,000 per occurrence and $600,000 aggregate with MSBOC listed as certificate holder. Workers compensation: required if 5 or more employees. Contractor insurance requirements→
Set up quoting, scheduling and invoicing before the first call.
Your first customers will ask for a written estimate and expect to pay by card on site. Most one-truck home-service businesses run that on field-service software; Housecall Pro is the one we link because it is built for this size of company and this link carries 20% off your first 12 months. Start a free trial of Housecall Pro→
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Mississippi require a contractor license?
Yes, Mississippi requires statewide licensing for 5 of 5 trades: general contractor, electrician, plumber, hvac technician, roofing contractor.
How much does a contractor license cost in Mississippi?
Initial licensing costs range from $290 to $640 depending on the trade, including application, exam, license and fingerprinting fees, plus any other fees the state requires to obtain the license.
Does Mississippi have license reciprocity with other states?
Yes, Mississippi has reciprocity agreements with 9 states. Licensed contractors from these states may be eligible to skip certain exams or have an expedited application process.
Do I need workers compensation insurance in Mississippi?
General liability: minimum $300,000 per occurrence and $600,000 aggregate with MSBOC listed as certificate holder. Workers compensation: required if 5 or more employees.
Official Mississippi Licensing Resources
- Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) — for general contractor, electrician, plumber, hvac technician, roofing contractor