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How to become a licensed general contractor in Mississippi. State-level licensing required. Experience: 4 years. Total initial fees: $640+. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
General Contractor
Yes
License Required?
4 years
Experience Required
Yes
Bonding Required?
$640+
Total Initial Fees
1 year
Renewal Period
2 hrs
CE Hours
Description
Residential contractor license for Mississippi. Covers construction, remodeling, and repair of residential properties.
Project Limit
New construction: ≥$50,000. Remodeling/roofing: ≥$10,000.
Additional Requirements
Description
Commercial contractor license for Mississippi. Covers construction of commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings.
Project Limit
License required for projects over $50,000
Additional Requirements
Description
General contractor license/registration for Mississippi. Covers a broad range of construction activities.
Project Limit
License required for projects over $50,000
Additional Requirements
Description
Specialty contractor license for Mississippi. Covers specialized trades and construction activities. Categories: Building Construction, Highway/Bridge/Heavy, Residential.
Additional Requirements
Experience & Documentation
Verified4
Years Required
Required
Documented Project History
Journeyman/Trade Experience
Minimum 4 years of documented experience in the construction trade
Alternative Pathways (Education Substitutions)
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Trade Exam
Required
Business & Law Exam
Exam Provider
PSI
Passing Score
70%
Open Book
Yes
Trade Exam Details
PSI, open book. $120 per exam portion. Two exams required: Law & Business Management + Trade exam. NASCLA Accredited Exam accepted for commercial general building (in lieu of MS Building Construction exam) and for master electrical. Must take exam within 6 months of MSBOC approval. Unlimited retakes within 6-month window. Results available immediately.
Business & Law Exam Details
Business and law examination covering contract law, lien law, and business management
Retake Policy
Candidates may retake the exam after a waiting period. Contact the board for specific retake policies.
Bonding Requirements
VerifiedSurety Bond Required
$10,000
Surety Bond Amount
Bond Types
Surety bonds protect consumers by providing financial recourse if a contractor fails to complete a project or violates licensing regulations. Bond costs are typically 1-3% of the bond amount annually.
Insurance & Workers' Comp
VerifiedRequired
General Liability
Required
Workers' Compensation
Minimum Coverage
General liability insurance required per state regulations
Additional Insurance Requirements
Workers' Comp Threshold
Required for employers with 5 or more employees
Workers' Comp Details
Mississippi requires workers' compensation insurance for employers with 5 or more employees. Sole proprietors may be exempt but coverage is recommended.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Commercial: $400 (includes 1 classification, +$100 each additional). Residential: $50 (includes 1 classification, +$100 each additional). | $400 |
Exam Fee Per exam portion (Law/B&M + Trade exam). Two exams required. | $120 |
License Fee Commercial: $400 (incl. 1 classification). Residential: $50. | $400 |
Renewal Fee Annual. Commercial: $400. Residential: $100. Over 180 days late = must reapply. | $400 |
Total Initial Fees Commercial: $400 app + $120x2 exam = $640+. Residential: $50 + $120x2 = $290+. | $640+ |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified1 year
Renewal Period
2 hrs
CE Hours Required
Renewal Fee
$150
Regulatory Board
Contractor licenses must be renewed on schedule. Many states require continuing education covering building codes, safety practices, business law, and energy efficiency standards.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
ICC Certification Accepted
Reciprocity Type
Trade exam waiver for 3+ year licensees
Transfer Details
Trade exam waived for contractors licensed 3+ consecutive years in another state. Reciprocity verification form + $25 fee required. B&L exam still required. Military Family Freedom Act (Miss. Code Ann. §73-50-1): recognizes licenses from other states for military members and families. Universal Recognition of Occupational Licenses Act (post July 2021): recognizes licenses from other states for residents who established residency after July 1, 2021. NASCLA accepted for commercial general building.
General contractor license reciprocity varies significantly by state. Some states recognize ICC certifications, while others require passing the state exam regardless of prior credentials. Always verify current policies with the state licensing board.
Mississippi has differentiated thresholds ($50K new construction vs $10K remodeling/roofing). NASCLA accepted for commercial. Expanded reciprocity via Military Family Freedom Act and Universal Recognition Act (post July 2021). Application must be notarized and mailed — no online submission.
Mississippi has DIFFERENT thresholds: commercial/new construction ≥$50,000, residential remodeling/roofing ≥$10,000.
Application fees: Commercial $400 (incl. 1 classification), Residential $50 (incl. 1 classification). +$100 per additional classification.
NASCLA Accredited Exam accepted for commercial general building.
Expanded reciprocity: trade exam waived for 3+ year out-of-state licensees. Universal Recognition Act (post July 2021).
Application must be notarized and mailed — no online submission. Processing: ~7-10 working days.
Workers' compensation: required if 5+ employees (higher threshold than most states).
CPA-prepared financial statement required for commercial (demonstrating minimum net worth). Not required for residential.
Qualifying party must be documented employee.
Penalties: monetary for unlicensed work. Homeowners contracting with unlicensed contractor: up to 3% of contract penalty. No lien rights without license.
Agency: MSBOC, 2679 Crane Ridge Drive, Suite C, Jackson, MS 39216. Phone: (800) 880-6161.
Lien Law Basics
Preliminary Notice: Required
Lien Deadline: 90 days after completion
Mississippi construction lien law: Preliminary notice is required to preserve lien rights. Lien filing deadline: 90 days after completion.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Mississippi.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#36 of 51
Salary
#49 of 51
Cost
#21 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (SOC 47-1011)
Entry Level
$50,740
25th percentile
Median
$64,740
-18% vs. national avg ($78,690)Experienced
$79,710
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
7,720 employed in this state
Note: BLS category "First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades" is broader than general contractors specifically. It includes supervisors across all construction specialties.
Source: BLS OEWS – First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+5.5%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+40,500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
55,200
per year (avg.)
729,900 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Electrical Career Ladder+13% salary growth potential
You are here
Electrical Contractor
$64,740
Master electrician license + contractor license
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
$57,300
You are here
Electrical Contractor
Master electrician license + contractor license
$64,740
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 216–230 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Mississippi Contractor Licensing
4–12 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Mississippi Contractor Licensing
Study guides and practice tests for the general contractor licensing exam.
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Accessed 2026-03-06
Mississippi requires state-level contractor licensing. 4 years of experience is required. All licensing is managed through the Mississippi State Board of Contractors.
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state or local licensing authority.