- License needed for new residential construction over $50,000, residential remodeling or additions over $10,000, residential roofing over $10,000, and commercial jobs over $50,000.
- You document your experience with detailed descriptions of projects you completed in the classification you want, plus at least three reference letters, one from your bank or financial institution.
- Plan for a trade exam and a business and law exam.
- Every year. Each qualifying party on a residential license issued on or after July 1, 2015 needs 2 hours of continuing education from a board approved provider.
Do you need a state license in Mississippi?
Mississippi licenses some general contractor work at the state level and leaves the rest alone. Which side of that line a job falls on decides whether you need the state license.
License needed for new residential construction over $50,000, residential remodeling or additions over $10,000, residential roofing over $10,000, and commercial jobs over $50,000.
Mississippi license types for general contractor work
Mississippi splits the work into 4 licenses. Pick the one that matches the jobs you take, since working outside its scope is the same as working without one.
| License | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Residential Builder | Building, remodeling and repair of residential buildings for 50 or fewer families, up to 3 floors, and commercial jobs up to 7,500 square feet |
| Residential Remodeler | Remodeling, repair or improvement of residential structures up to 3 floors |
| Residential Roofer | Residential roofing only |
| Building Construction (commercial major classification) | Commercial buildings and single or multiple dwelling residential structures, needed for commercial jobs over $50,000 |
Steps to get licensed in Mississippi
- Decide which license fits: Residential Builder, Residential Remodeler, or a commercial classification such as Building Construction.
- Name a qualifying party (an owner, officer or responsible managing employee) who will take the exams.
- Gather project descriptions and at least three reference letters, one from your bank. Commercial applicants also need a CPA reviewed financial statement.
- Get general liability insurance with MSBOC listed for cancellation notice, and workers comp if you have 5 or more employees.
- Send the application and fee to MSBOC, then pass the PSI trade exam and the Law and Business Management exam.
- Renew every year and keep up your continuing education.
Experience and other requirements
Experience. You document your experience with detailed descriptions of projects you completed in the classification you want, plus at least three reference letters, one from your bank or financial institution.
The license to apply for. Residential Builder, Residential Remodeler, or Commercial Building Construction.
Mississippi general contractor exams
Trade exam. Trade exam for your classification, given by PSI, open book. A general building contractor may take the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building instead of the Mississippi Building Construction exam.
Business and law exam. Mississippi Law and Business Management exam, required for every applicant, given by PSI.
What it costs in Mississippi
The board lists 2 fees along the way. These are the state's own numbers. Insurance, any bond, exam prep and your business registration come on top.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Residential application fee (non-refundable) | $50 |
| Commercial application fee (non-refundable) | $400 |
Insurance and bond
Insurance. Proof of general liability insurance is required for every license and renewal. There is no minimum for residential licenses. Commercial licenses need at least $300,000 per occurrence or $600,000 aggregate. Send proof of workers comp if you have 5 or more employees. MSBOC must be listed on the policy for cancellation notice.
Bond. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Renewal and licenses from other states
Renewal. Every year. Each qualifying party on a residential license issued on or after July 1, 2015 needs 2 hours of continuing education from a board approved provider.
Reciprocity. Mississippi can waive the trade exam for qualified license holders from Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina and Tennessee, and still accepts passing exam scores from Louisiana. What is waived depends on the state and trade. Everyone still takes the Mississippi Law and Business Management exam.
Good to know in Mississippi
- Commercial applicants must send a CPA reviewed financial statement showing at least $50,000 net worth for a major classification or $20,000 for a specialty classification.
- Construction managers need a state license too.
- Applications must be finished within 180 days or they are destroyed.
After you are licensed
The license lets you take the work. Getting the work is the next job.
- Register the business. If you work under a name other than your own, register it where your state asks (often the Secretary of State, sometimes the county), and keep the name the same on your license, your truck and your invoices.
- Claim your Google Business Profile. It is the listing people see when they search for a contractor near them. Fill in your service area, hours and real photos of your work.
- Put up a website that shows the license. Customers look for it before they call. Koira builds a contractor website for you and keeps it current.
- See where you stand. The free Koira report checks how your business shows up in search and on maps against shops near you.
Where this comes from
Every fact on this page comes from the Mississippi State Board of Contractors and the official pages below, checked October 8, 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the board before you file.