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Mississippi Contractor License Exam Prep Courses, Classes, and Webinars
Obtaining a Contractor's License in Mississippi
If you have landed on this page, you are probably thinking about getting a contractor license in Mississippi. This is an exciting time with a lot of work ahead. Like many states, Mississippi has legal requirements for earning a contractor's license.
At Contractor Training Center, we educate our staff on state laws, regulations, and rules. We recognize not everyone is an expert on how to get a contractor's license in Mississippi. That is why we are here to support! The process might seem tedious, but it is certainly rewarding. We’ll start by breaking it down. Then, we’ll provide resources to help you prepare for the process.
Do I Need a Contractor License in Mississippi?
It’s important to know that you can’t get much done without a contractor's license in Mississippi. It is illegal to perform contracting work without the appropriate licensing. This is for risk management reasons and quality assurance. It also ensures the education of all people performing contracting work. With our help, you’ll be well on your way to a Mississippi contractor license.
Our team has the know-how, experience, and passion to help you pass this exam. Our support helps contractors start off the right way. We know the process inside and out and offer the best resources, tools, and exams to help with this. Not sure if you need a contractor's license in Mississippi? These are the qualifying situations where you need a license:
- Public works projects valued over $50,000, including materials and labor
- Commercial project exceeding $50,000
- Residential building constructing exceeding $50,000
- Residential remodeling exceeding $10,000
- Commercial Fire Sprinklers valued over $5,000 for public projects and $10,000 for private
So, does this fit the description of your work projects? Great! The next step in how to get a contractor's license in Mississippi is to keep reading!
What You Can Expect From Us
The 3 main steps to obtaining a license in Mississippi are to:
- Submit an application to the Mississippi State Board of Contractors
- Pass the Law and Business Management exam
- Pass a Technical (trade) exam specific to the type of work you perform
The purpose of the application is to make sure you are registered in the state properly. That way, they can tax you and confirm that you have adequate experience.
The Law and Business Management exam tests you on the laws of operating a business in Mississippi. The Technical or Trade exam ensures you have the skills and knowledge required for performing work in your area of expertise. PSI administers and schedules the exams. Studying exam reference materials and content outlines is essential to passing these exams.
The type of contracting you are trying to do will determine what type of exam you will have to take. This can be anything from a general contractor license to a Mechanical or Plumbing Contractor License.
We supply the prep classes and the books and the tabs necessary to pass the OPEN BOOK Exams. Tabbing and Highlighting the books is allowed and part of our curriculum. We have an extremely high first-time pass rate on our exams. If you do not pass, we will give you the class again for free until you do.
In Mississippi, we teach several different types of courses:
- The Law and Business Management exam
- State-specific trade exams, such as the Mississippi Building Construction and Mississippi Concrete Contractor Exams
- The NASCLA exam prep course, which is a commercial and residential license in the state of Mississippi. It is also transferable to 15+ other states. This is the most popular license for General contractors because of its acceptance and flexibility. You can build a skyscraper with this license!
Benefits of a Contractors License in Mississippi
Laws vary from state to state. In Mississippi, there are specific scenarios where a contractor license can be legally required. In some cases, a general contractor license can suffice. In others, a license might need to be trade specific. This includes coverage for plumbing, construction, HVAC, and electrical work. The two main benefits are higher earning potential and increased credibility.
In Mississippi, there are some projects you can’t complete without a license. This means you might be limited in the work you can do if you don’t have a license. You might find yourself limited to only accepting smaller construction projects without a license. Earning that license opens you up to accepting larger assignments and taking on more jobs. Ultimately, it can increase your potential for profit.
Gives You Credibility
Having a license increases your credibility, allowing you to build trust with your clients. There are other ways you can gain their trust, but this is a big part of establishing yourself and your business, especially if you're working with new customers.
Gives You A Higher Earning Potential
Consequently, there are larger projects that you can't perform without a contractor's license. With one, you can take on big assignments, get more jobs, and increase your profit. More times than not, clients will pay a higher price to a licensed contractor as opposed to unlicensed handymen.
You also will find it easier to build trust with clients when you have a license. It provides you have the training, education, and capability to perform the work and to do it well. It is possible to build a relationship of trust without a license. However, a license goes a long way in establishing your business and reputation with new customers. Additionally, people tend to be willing to pay higher rates for licensed contractors. This is because they recognize that licensed contractors have more experience and knowledge compared to an unlicensed handyman.
A contractor license also distinguishes between experts, con artists, and amateurs. This can be pivotal in ensuring people are not being deceived or endangered through inept contracting work. Yes, certain levels of work can be done in Mississippi without a license. But what you need to ask is: “Am I ready to invest in a Mississippi general contractor license?”
The Process of Obtaining a Contractors License in Mississippi
To prepare for the licensing exams, there are several steps to consider. The first step is to submit the application to the Mississippi Board of Contractors. You must sign and acquire a notary for this application.
If you are a corporation or LLC, you must register with the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office. The names on the application and registration must match exactly.
The application also must show the Mississippi use tax number and the sales tax number. This involves contacting the Mississippi Department of Revenue. You will need to provide a Federal Income Tax ID Number or a Mississippi Income Tax ID Number.
The application requires proof of general liability insurance coverage. There are certain minimums for this coverage.
If you would like assistance through the application process, we have Mississippi License Application Specialists ready to walk you through the process with our Contractor License Application Service. Not sure how to get started? We can help you!
Preparing for the Mississippi Contractor Exams
At Contractor Training Center, our team supports you through studying and preparing for these important exams. This includes offering prep materials, services, support, and tools. If you wish to become a licensed Mississippi contractor, let us support you. We’ll boost your chances of passing on the first go!
We offer online pre-recorded and interactive live-streamed courses as well as in-person classes in Richmond, Virginia to help prepare you for the PSI Contractor Licensing Exams. We even have all the necessary reference manuals you will need for the exams!
Frequently Asked Questions
This depends on the reciprocity between Mississippi and the new state. The best way to answer this question is to contact the state board where you are seeking to become licensed.
PSI administers Mississippi Contractor licensing exams. You can schedule an exam, once you're approved, at https://candidate.psiexams.com/
Yes! License holders must complete two credit hours of continuing education. A board-approved instructor or provider must teach this course. Continuing education is necessary in order to maintain the license. There is a wide range of courses. The applicant must decide which courses to take and prioritize advancing knowledge. The Board doesn’t mandate specific courses, unless required because of a disciplinary hearing.
Examples of qualifying continuing education courses include:
- Project Management
- Safe Use of Electricity
- Building Green
- Mississippi Residential Continuing Education – Business
- Leadership and Application within Construction
- OSHA and Workman’s Comp Tracking and Reporting
These courses are a mix of online or in-person trainings. Applicants can tailor them to their learning styles.
In Mississippi, you must renew commercial and residential licenses annually.
The renewal process is rather simple. You can renew either online or via a paper form. For commercial license renewal, the renewal fee is $400. It is $450 if you fail to renew before the expiration date. For residential license, the renewal fee is $100. If renewed after the expiration date, it is $110. If you fail to renew the license within 180 days of expiration, you must submit a new license application.
Other renewal documentation in addition to the form includes:
- Proof of General Liability Insurance coverage
- Proof of good standing with the Mississippi Secretary of State (except in the case of the individual/sole proprietors)
- Workers Compensation Insurance coverage if applicable
- Proof of two hours of continuing education
Yes, the NASCLA exam takes the place of the trade exam in Mississippi for commercial contractors. The following states and territories accept the NASCLA:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Georgia
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Nevada
- North Carolina
- Oregon
- Tennessee
- US Virgin Islands
- Utah
- Virginia
- West Virginia
Passing the NASCLA Accredited Exam for Commercial General Building Contractors is a big deal. Once you have done so, you will have a listing in the NASCLA National Examination Database. This will be essential when seeking to be accepted in a new state.
Please note you may have to take a new state’s specific business, law, or project management exam. In such cases, you’ll also need to submit application materials.
Contact Contractor Training Center Today!
The importance of a contractor's license in Mississippi should be clearer now. A license is what distinguishes you, as an expert, from novices and scam artists. A license is the first step in increasing credibility and the overall earning potential. With limits on the work you can do without a license, why would you not invest in the chance to grow future earnings?
There are many steps in the process of earning a Mississippi contractor license. It might seem time-consuming and complicated. However, the work you put into studying for the exams will go a long way. It is what can set you apart from the competition. With the support of the Contractors Training Center, we are ready to help you tackle this process!
The result is definitely worth the effort. We are here to assist you from start to finish and help in making this a stress-free process. We have everything you need to complete your licensing exams with total success!
We have helped over 30,000 contractors get their contractor license. We look forward to helping you.
Ready to learn more? Don’t hesitate to contact us at support@contractortrainingcenter.com or 888-585-7350!
Mississippi Reciprocity
As noted prior, the NASCLA is transferable to 15+ other states. In addition, the Mississippi trade exam has reciprocity in certain states. This applies if you have a license with a similar classification for three years or more. In such instances, you can potentially waive the trade exam in Mississippi or a reciprocal state. This only counts for the trade exam and not the other application requirements. There is still a $50 fee for each exam waived in Mississippi and involves a Reciprocity Verification Form.
The Mississippi contractors license has reciprocity in the following states:
- Alabama (General Contractors, Electrical, HVAC)
- Arkansas (Contractor licensing)
- Georgia (Residential, general contractors)
- Louisiana (contractors)
- North Carolina (electrical, general contractors)
- South Carolina (licensing contractors)
- Tennessee (general contractors)