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General Contractor
Total cost: $640+
Governing Authority
Mississippi State Board of Contractors (also referred to as Mississippi State Board of Public Contractors in footer text)
Official website →Yes
License Required?
4 years
Experience Required
Yes
Bonding Required?
$640+
Total Initial Fees
Annual renewal confirmed
Renewal Period
2 hrs
CE Hours
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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 (consistent with MSBOC site navigation linking to Testing page)
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.
Overall licensing difficulty: 12/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
Contractor Licensing Exam
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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General Contractor Licensing Exam
Passing Score
70%
Administered By
PSI (consistent with MSBOC site navigation linking to Testing page)
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the General Contractor Licensing Exam.
Study Materials & Exam Prep — Contractor's License Exam
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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+ |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedAnnual renewal confirmed
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.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Mississippi with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
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.
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General Contractor requirements in Mississippi verified against Mississippi State Board of Contractors (also referred to as Mississippi State Board of Public Contractors in footer text), March 2026.
Accessed 2026-03-06
General Contractor Schools in Mississippi
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.