MS · Reviewed 2026-10-07
Mississippi licensing for homeowners
Board lookups, licence classes, contract rules, and the verification routine — sourced to state law and official registries.
- State
- Mississippi
- Boards listed
- 3
- Licence classes
- 4
Verify with the board — last reviewed 2026-10-07
Who must be licensed in Mississippi
Mississippi licenses residential and commercial contractors through the Mississippi State Board of Contractors when project values exceed statutory thresholds, with licence classifications and monetary limits that must match the contract. Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical contractors hold separate state credentials searchable on Mississippi licence verification portals. Counties and municipalities issue building permits under locally adopted codes, with hurricane and flood provisions critical along the Gulf Coast. Verify licence numbers on the State Board of Contractors lookup before paying deposits on elevation work, wind-rated re-roofs, or whole-home remodels in Jackson, Hattiesburg, or coastal counties.
Licensing boards and lookups
| Authority | Scope | Lookup |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi State Board of Contractors 601-359-5720 | Residential and commercial contractor licences above thresholds. | Verify licence → |
| Mississippi State Board of Contractors — Electrical | Electrical contractor licences and related classifications. | Verify licence → |
| Mississippi mechanical / HVAC licensing | Mechanical and HVAC contractor credentials under state programmes. | Verify licence → |
Licence classes and what they authorize
Residential contractor — MSBOC residential licence
Residential construction and remodeling within monetary limits.
Commercial contractor — MSBOC commercial licence
Commercial work within class and monetary limits.
Electrical contractor — Electrical contractor licence
Electrical contracting under state electrical requirements.
Mechanical contractor — HVAC / mechanical licence
Heating, cooling, and refrigeration within licence scope.
Verify a licence in about two minutes
- Search MSBOC licence lookup by licence number from your contract.
- Confirm residential vs commercial classification matches your project.
- Verify monetary limit on the licence covers contract price.
- Check Active status and disciplinary history.
- Contact the county or city building department for coastal wind and flood rules.
- Match legal names on licence, contract, and insurance COI.
Insurance and bond minimums
Licensed contractors must maintain general liability insurance and workers’ compensation as required by board regulation. Coastal projects may require additional documentation for wind design.
Who issues permits
Mississippi enforces building codes locally. MSBOC licences who may contract above thresholds; counties and cities issue permits.
Homeowner permits — can you pull one, and should you
Owner-occupiers may pull permits in many jurisdictions with owner-builder affidavits. Licensed contractors must perform regulated trade work.
Deposits, cancellation rights, and liens
- Deposit rules
- Mississippi does not use California’s deposit cap. Tie payments to inspections and retain final funds until punch list sign-off.
- Rescission / cooling-off
- Door-to-door home repair contracts may trigger federal Cooling-Off Rule cancellation rights when notices are delivered.
- Mechanic's lien timeline
- Mississippi mechanic’s lien statutes set notice and filing deadlines. Use waiver forms at each draw on substantial jobs.
Written contracts should identify licence numbers and scope on MSBOC-covered projects.
Where to file a complaint
File MSBOC complaints for unlicensed contracting or classification errors. Permit issues go to local building officials. Consumer fraud may be reported to the Attorney General.
File a complaint with the state →If you hire someone unlicensed
Unlicensed contracting above thresholds can block permits, complicate hurricane insurance claims, and leave owners paying twice for code-compliant corrections.
Which trades need a licence here
| Trade | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | State licence | State trade or contractor classification required. |
| Plumber | State licence | State trade or contractor classification required. |
| HVAC / refrigeration | State licence | State trade or contractor classification required. |
| General contractor / remodeler | State licence | MSBOC licence required above statutory thresholds. |
| Roofer | Varies | May be a dedicated roofing licence, a general building classification, or local registration only. |
| Carpenter / handyman | No individual licence | No individual trade licence in most states; scope limits and contractor registration still apply to the business pulling permits. |
Reciprocity
Mississippi reciprocity is limited — verify MSBOC reciprocity lists. Out-of-state contractors need Mississippi licences for Mississippi work.
Cities and counties with an extra layer
Jackson, Gulfport, Biloxi, Hattiesburg, and Oxford add historic, floodplain, and wind-borne debris region requirements beyond state licences.
Related guides
For contractors — getting and renewing a licence
Apply through MSBOC for the correct residential or commercial classification and monetary limit. Renew licences and insurance on file with the board.
Trade-owner resources →Common questions — Mississippi
Does Mississippi require a contractor license for home remodeling?
Where do I verify a Mississippi contractor license?
What is the Mississippi contractor license dollar threshold?
Who licenses electricians in Mississippi?
Can a homeowner pull a building permit in Mississippi?
Is there a deposit limit for Mississippi contractors?
How do mechanic's liens work in Mississippi?
Do coastal Mississippi remodels need wind-rated materials?
Does Mississippi license HVAC contractors?
What happens if I hire an unlicensed contractor above the threshold?
How do I file a complaint against a Mississippi contractor?
Are roofers licensed separately in Mississippi?
Sources
- Mississippi State Board of Contractors
- Mississippi Code — Liens
- Mississippi Attorney General — Consumer protection
Content reviewed 2026-10-07. Statutes and board URLs were checked at publication; confirm current text on the official site before relying on it in a dispute.