- Commercial jobs over $50,000.
Do you need a state license in Mississippi?
Mississippi licenses some painting 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.
Commercial jobs over $50,000.
The Mississippi license for this work
There is one license to aim for here.
| License | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Painting | Exterior, interior, industrial and bridge painting, including surface prep, sandblasting and caulking |
Steps to get licensed in Mississippi
- Get a CPA reviewed financial statement showing a net worth of $20,000 or more.
- Get general liability insurance with MSBOC listed on the policy.
- Apply for a commercial license with the Painting classification and pay $400.
Experience and other requirements
Experience. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
The license to apply for. Commercial license, Painting specialty classification.
Mississippi painting contractor exams
Trade exam. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Business and law exam. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
What it costs in Mississippi
The board lists one fee for this license. These are the state's own numbers. Insurance, any bond, exam prep and your business registration come on top.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Commercial application | $400 |
Insurance and bond
Insurance. Commercial applicants show general liability coverage of at least $300,000 per occurrence or $600,000 aggregate.
Bond. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Renewal and licenses from other states
Renewal. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Reciprocity. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Good to know in Mississippi
- Commercial applicants for a specialty classification provide a CPA reviewed financial statement showing a net worth of $20,000 or more.
- Home work has its own lines: new homes over $50,000 and remodeling or additions over $10,000 need a residential license.
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 painter 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 9, 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the board before you file.
More for your trade: how painting companies run on Koira.