General Contractor License Requirements in Mississippi
| Licensing Authority | Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) |
| License Type | Commercial Building Construction / Residential Builder |
| Experience Required | Commercial: qualifying party must demonstrate at least 4 years of experience as a journeyman, foreman, or supervising employee. Residential: must show proof of at least 3 completed jobs in the requested classification. A CPA-reviewed or audited financial statement within the past 12 months is required for commercial applicants. |
| Exam Required | Yes — Mississippi Business and Law Management Exam + General Contractor Trade Exam |
| Bond Required | No |
| Insurance | General liability: required. Workers comp: required with employees |
| Continuing Education | 2 hours every year (residential licenses issued on or after July 1, 2015 only; commercial licenses exempt) |
| Processing Time | 7–10 business days after complete application received |
Fee Breakdown
| Application Fee | $400 |
| Exam Fee | $240 |
| Est. Initial Total | $640 |
Related & additional fees
Separate or ongoing costs — not included in the estimate above.
| Residential application fee | $50 |
| Residential renewal fee | $100 |
| Additional trade classification | $100 |
Renewal: $400 every 1 year
Exam Requirements
Mississippi Business and Law Management Exam
General Contractor Trade Exam
Exam provider: PSI
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 →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→License Tiers
Residential Builder
Proof of 3 completed jobs in classification; no minimum net worth
Exam: Required
Residential Remodeler
Proof of 3 completed jobs in classification; projects over $10,000
Exam: Required
Commercial — Specialty
4 years experience; $20,000 minimum net worth; projects over $50,000
Exam: Required
Commercial — Major (Building)
4 years experience; $50,000 minimum net worth; includes specialty classifications within category
Exam: Required
License Reciprocity
This state has reciprocity agreements with 6 states. View full reciprocity details — You may be able to skip the trade exam if you hold a valid license from one of these states.
Notes
- Commercial license threshold: projects over $50,000
- Residential Builder threshold: new construction over $50,000
- Residential Remodeler threshold: improvements over $10,000
- 3 reference letters required (1 from a bank, 2 from construction-related references)
- Commercial applicants must submit CPA-reviewed or audited financial statement (compilation not accepted)
- Major classifications: Building, Highway/Street/Bridges, Heavy Construction, Electrical, Mechanical, Municipal/Public Works
- 2026 change: MSBOC now sends renewal notices by email only
- Exam eligibility valid for 6 months; unlimited retakes within that period
- All exams are open book
Local requirements on top of your Mississippi license
The MSBOC general contractor license is the credential that lets you work anywhere in Mississippi. On top of it, most Mississippi cities and counties require a local business license (a tax registration) to operate, and a few add their own contractor registration or permit. These are in addition to your state license, not a replacement — always confirm the rules with the city or county where the job is.
You're licensed in Mississippi as a general contractor — 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→
Register locally.
Most Mississippi cities and counties require a local business license (a tax registration) on top of the state credential, and a few add their own contractor registration or permit — confirm with the city or county where the job is.
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 general contractor 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→
Keep the license.
Renewal is every year at $400. Continuing education: 2 hours every year (residential licenses issued on or after July 1, 2015 only; commercial licenses exempt)
Other licenses in Mississippi
- Electrician license in Mississippi
Statewide license required · $640 in initial government fees · MSBOC
- Plumber license in Mississippi
Statewide license required · $640 in initial government fees · MSBOC
- HVAC Technician license in Mississippi
Statewide license required · $640 in initial government fees · MSBOC
- Roofing Contractor license in Mississippi
Statewide license required · $290 in initial government fees · MSBOC
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a general contractor license in Mississippi?
Yes, Mississippi requires a statewide general contractor license through the Mississippi State Board of Contractors.
How much does a general contractor license cost in Mississippi?
The estimated initial cost is $640, including application, exam, and license fees.
What experience do I need for a general contractor license in Mississippi?
Commercial: qualifying party must demonstrate at least 4 years of experience as a journeyman, foreman, or supervising employee. Residential: must show proof of at least 3 completed jobs in the requested classification. A CPA-reviewed or audited financial statement within the past 12 months is required for commercial applicants.
What exams are required for a general contractor license in Mississippi?
You must pass the Mississippi Business and Law Management Exam and General Contractor Trade Exam exams. A passing score of 70% is required. Exams are administered by PSI.
Does Mississippi have general contractor license reciprocity?
Yes, Mississippi has reciprocity agreements with 6 states that may apply to general contractors. Licensed contractors from these states may be eligible to skip certain exams or have an expedited application process.
How long does it take to get a general contractor license in Mississippi?
Processing time is typically 7–10 business days after complete application received after submitting a complete application.
Is continuing education required for general contractors in Mississippi?
Yes, 2 hours per every year (residential licenses issued on or after July 1, 2015 only; commercial licenses exempt) is required for license renewal.
Next steps
You know the requirements for general contractors in Mississippi— here's how to actually pass and apply.
Data last verified: 2026-04-02 | Source: MSBOC