Mississippi General Contractor License Requirements

Official classification: Commercial General Contractor (Certificate of Responsibility – Building Construction) / Residential Builder or Remodeler · Issued by the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC).

🏗️ General ContractorMS ✔ Verified 2026-06-24

In Mississippi, general contractors must hold the Commercial General Contractor (Certificate of Responsibility – Building Construction) / Residential Builder or Remodeler, issued by the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC), and no state surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed general contractor in Mississippi

Follow these steps to earn your Commercial General Contractor (Certificate of Responsibility – Building Construction) / Residential Builder or Remodeler. Every figure is verified against the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC); full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. No fixed number of years is set by statute; the board weighs the applicant's experience and ability (Miss. Code 31-3-13 for commercial; 73-59-5 for residential), and the qualifying party must be regularly employed by the license holder.
Pass the Law & Business Management Exam and Building Construction Trade Exam (NASCLA Commercial General Building accepted) / Residential Builder or Remodeler Exam exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Secure your surety bond. Mississippi requires No MSBOC state surety bond is required. (For nonresidential contracts over $75,000, a Mississippi Department of Revenue sales/use-tax bond may apply — a tax-compliance bond, not a licensing bond.) Some municipalities require local bonds.
Line up insurance. You'll need liability insurance (Commercial: $300,000 per occurrence / $600,000 aggregate general liability. Residential: general liability required (no minimum amount set).), and workers' compensation coverage.
Clear the background check. The board reviews each applicant's record — character, prior-contract performance, and compliance with state law; prior out-of-state license revocations must be disclosed for residential (Miss. Code 31-3-13; 73-59-5).
Meet the credit / financial requirement. Commercial: a CPA-reviewed financial statement from the past 12 months showing net worth of at least $50,000 for the Building Construction major classification or $20,000 for a specialty. Residential: none specified.
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) — $400 (commercial); $50 (residential builder or remodeler) application fee, plus a Included in the application fee; commercial adds a $200 Construction Education Fund fee; the residential builder fee directs $25 to the education fund license fee. Processing time: About 7 working days after the board has all documents and passing exam scores; the board meets quarterly.
Keep the license active. Renew annual (1 year), completing Commercial: none. Residential: 2 hours per year for licenses issued on or after July 1, 2015.

License types

Commercial General Contractor (Building Construction) — Commercial and larger residential buildings, additions, and renovations on contracts of $50,000 or more.
Residential Builder — New residential construction over $50,000; may also build or renovate commercial structures up to 7,500 sq ft without a separate commercial license (Miss. Code 73-59-19).
Residential Remodeler — Remodeling, repair, or improvement of existing residential buildings when the cost exceeds $10,000.

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	No fixed number of years is set by statute; the board weighs the applicant's experience and ability (Miss. Code 31-3-13 for commercial; 73-59-5 for residential), and the qualifying party must be regularly employed by the license holder.
Application fee	$400 (commercial); $50 (residential builder or remodeler)
License fee	Included in the application fee; commercial adds a $200 Construction Education Fund fee; the residential builder fee directs $25 to the education fund
Renewal fee	$400/year (commercial); $100/year (residential)
Renewal period	Annual (1 year)
Continuing education	Commercial: none. Residential: 2 hours per year for licenses issued on or after July 1, 2015.
Bond required	No MSBOC state surety bond is required. (For nonresidential contracts over $75,000, a Mississippi Department of Revenue sales/use-tax bond may apply — a tax-compliance bond, not a licensing bond.) Some municipalities require local bonds.
Liability insurance	Commercial: $300,000 per occurrence / $600,000 aggregate general liability. Residential: general liability required (no minimum amount set).
Property damage	Included in the general liability policy
Workers' comp	Required under Mississippi law for employers with 5+ employees (Miss. Code 71-3-5)
Background check	The board reviews each applicant's record — character, prior-contract performance, and compliance with state law; prior out-of-state license revocations must be disclosed for residential (Miss. Code 31-3-13; 73-59-5).
Credit requirement	Commercial: a CPA-reviewed financial statement from the past 12 months showing net worth of at least $50,000 for the Building Construction major classification or $20,000 for a specialty. Residential: none specified.
Reciprocity	Trade-exam waivers (exam only) from Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee — coverage varies by classification; other requirements still apply.; Expedited licensure for military-trained applicants and spouses (Miss. Code 73-50-1).
Processing time	About 7 working days after the board has all documents and passing exam scores; the board meets quarterly.

Exams

Law & Business Management Exam	Provider: PSI (open book) · Passing: 70% · Fee: $50 per exam
Building Construction Trade Exam (NASCLA Commercial General Building accepted) / Residential Builder or Remodeler Exam	Provider: PSI (open book) · Passing: 70% · Fee: $50 per exam

Preparing for the General Contractor exam? State-specific contractor exam-prep courses help you pass the first time. Start exam prep →

Local / municipal notes

A commercial Certificate of Responsibility is required for projects of $50,000+. A Residential Builder license is required for new residential construction over $50,000; a Residential Remodeler license for residential improvements over $10,000. Below those thresholds no MSBOC license is required (local permits may still apply). A licensed Residential Builder may build or renovate commercial structures up to 7,500 sq ft without a separate commercial license (Miss. Code 73-59-19).

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Mississippi general contractor license cost?

Application: $400 (commercial); $50 (residential builder or remodeler). License: Included in the application fee; commercial adds a $200 Construction Education Fund fee; the residential builder fee directs $25 to the education fund. Renewal: $400/year (commercial); $100/year (residential).

Do general contractors in Mississippi need a surety bond?

No MSBOC state surety bond is required. (For nonresidential contracts over $75,000, a Mississippi Department of Revenue sales/use-tax bond may apply — a tax-compliance bond, not a licensing bond.) Some municipalities require local bonds.

What experience is required for a Mississippi general contractor license?

No fixed number of years is set by statute; the board weighs the applicant's experience and ability (Miss. Code 31-3-13 for commercial; 73-59-5 for residential), and the qualifying party must be regularly employed by the license holder.

Is insurance required for general contractors in Mississippi?

Liability: Commercial: $300,000 per occurrence / $600,000 aggregate general liability. Residential: general liability required (no minimum amount set). Workers' compensation: Required under Mississippi law for employers with 5+ employees (Miss. Code 71-3-5)

How often must a Mississippi general contractor license be renewed?

Annual (1 year). Continuing education: Commercial: none. Residential: 2 hours per year for licenses issued on or after July 1, 2015.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-06-24 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) before applying. This is not legal advice.