Mississippi HVAC License Requirements

Official classification: Commercial HVAC Contractor (Mechanical Work – HVAC specialty) / Residential HVAC Contractor · Issued by the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC).

❄️ HVACMS ✔ Verified 2026-06-24

In Mississippi, HVAC contractors must hold the Commercial HVAC Contractor (Mechanical Work – HVAC specialty) / Residential HVAC Contractor, 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 HVAC contractor in Mississippi

Follow these steps to earn your Commercial HVAC Contractor (Mechanical Work – HVAC specialty) / Residential HVAC Contractor. 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 qualifying party's experience and ability (Miss. Code 31-3-13), and that person must be regularly employed by the license holder.
Pass the Law & Business Management Exam and HVAC Specialty Trade Exam exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
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, performance on prior contracts, and compliance with state law (Miss. Code 31-3-13).
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 Mechanical Work 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, one classification); $50 (residential); +$100 to add the HVAC specialty to an existing commercial license application fee, plus a Included in the application fee; commercial adds a $200 Construction Education Fund fee 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 HVAC Contractor (Mechanical Work, HVAC specialty) — Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration with associated piping and ductwork on projects of $50,000 or more.
Residential HVAC Contractor — Residential HVAC; required for remodels over $10,000 or new construction over $50,000.
Related mechanical specialties — Ductwork, boiler installation and repair, refrigeration, and process piping — each its own exam under the Mechanical Work classification.

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	No fixed number of years is set by statute; the board weighs the qualifying party's experience and ability (Miss. Code 31-3-13), and that person must be regularly employed by the license holder.
Application fee	$400 (commercial, one classification); $50 (residential); +$100 to add the HVAC specialty to an existing commercial license
License fee	Included in the application fee; commercial adds a $200 Construction Education Fund fee
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 state surety bond is required by the MSBOC. Some Mississippi municipalities require a local bond (amounts vary by city).
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, performance on prior contracts, and compliance with state law (Miss. Code 31-3-13).
Credit requirement	Commercial: a CPA-reviewed financial statement from the past 12 months showing net worth of at least $50,000 for the Mechanical Work major classification or $20,000 for a specialty. Residential: none specified.
Reciprocity	Trade-exam waivers for HVAC from Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Ohio, and Tennessee; 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
HVAC Specialty Trade Exam	Provider: PSI (open book) · Passing: 70% · Fee: $50 per exam

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

Local / municipal notes

Mississippi licenses HVAC/mechanical CONTRACTORS through the MSBOC (commercial $50,000+; residential remodel over $10,000 / new construction over $50,000). EPA Section 608 certification is a separate federal requirement for anyone handling refrigerants. Individual journeyman/master credentials, where required, are issued locally.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Mississippi hvac license cost?

Application: $400 (commercial, one classification); $50 (residential); +$100 to add the HVAC specialty to an existing commercial license. License: Included in the application fee; commercial adds a $200 Construction Education Fund fee. Renewal: $400/year (commercial); $100/year (residential).

Do hvacs in Mississippi need a surety bond?

No state surety bond is required by the MSBOC. Some Mississippi municipalities require a local bond (amounts vary by city).

What experience is required for a Mississippi hvac license?

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

Is insurance required for hvacs 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 hvac 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.