Mississippi Carpentry License Requirements (2026)

Mississippi regulates carpentry through the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) under Miss. Code §31-3-1 et seq. and §73-59-1 (Residential Builders Act). Commercial carpentry on projects of $50,000 or more requires a Commercial Certificate of Responsibility from MSBOC in the Building Construction or specialty Carpentry classification. Residential carpentry on new construction of $50,000 or more (or any value with structural work, foundations, framing, mechanical or electrical) requires a Residential Builder Certificate. Both tracks require the PSI Mississippi Business and Law plus the trade exam, and a CPA-prepared financial statement. Sub-tier carpentry to a licensed prime is exempt below the threshold.

Federal requirement: EPA Lead RRP Rule

Whether or not Mississippi licenses this trade, any work that disturbs paint in pre-1978 housing falls under the federal EPA Lead RRP Rule nationwide. See our complete EPA RRP Lead Certification guide for who needs firm and renovator certification, what it costs, and how renewal works.

Regulatory Body Profile

Authority over this credential rests with Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC), which issues and polices it under Mississippi Code Title 31, Chapter 3 (Public Contracts) and Title 73, Chapter 59 (Residential Builders). The Mississippi State Board of Contractors licenses commercial contractors on projects of $50,000 or more and residential builders and remodelers on projects of $50,000 or more, administers examinations through PSI, and enforces bonding and financial-statement requirements statewide.

Official portal: https://www.msboc.us/
Address: 2679 Crane Ridge Drive, Suite C, Jackson, MS 39216
Phone: (601) 354-6161

The Eligibility Audit

The applicant must be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid Social Security Number. No Mississippi residency requirement.

Good moral character

Criminal history is reviewed case-by-case by the licensing authority.

Background investigation

Criminal history disclosure required on the application.

Experience and Education Standards

The cited source set does not publish a fixed year-based experience threshold for this credential. The controlling requirement is No experience minimum codified. The applicant must demonstrate trade competence by passing the MSBOC trade exam..

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

Notarized experience affidavits from licensed supervising contractors
W-2s, 1099s, or payroll records covering the qualifying period
Apprenticeship completion certificate where applicable

Education substitution

Approved carpentry apprenticeship or accredited trade school coursework may substitute for part of the experience requirement.

The Exam Syllabus

Testing is handled by PSI Services LLC under contract to MSBOC. The applicant has to pass each part listed here before the credential is granted:

Mississippi Business and Law — 50 questions, 120 minutes, passing score 70%
Building Construction / Carpentry trade exam — 90 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $200 application fee plus $90 per PSI exam part.

Retake policy: Failed parts may be retaken after paying a new exam fee. Applications remain valid for one year.

Bonding, Insurance & Financial Security

No statewide contractor license surety bond is required for this credential in the cited sources. Project-specific, permit, or public-works bonds may still apply, so confirm bonding before bidding a given job.

General liability

MSBOC does not impose a state GL minimum. Residential Builders must show proof of insurance at application; commercial owners typically require $1,000,000/$2,000,000.

Workers' compensation

Workers compensation is mandatory under Miss. Code §71-3-5 for any contractor with five or more employees.

Additional financial requirements

MSBOC requires a CPA-prepared financial statement showing net worth proportional to the requested monetary limit (minimum $10,000).

Schedule of Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$200
Examination	$180
Initial license	$200
Renewal (every year)	$200

Renewal and Continuing Obligations

The Mississippi Residential Builder or Commercial Contractor (Carpentry) runs on a year renewal cycle. The current renewal fee is $200. Annual renewal on the anniversary of issuance. Late renewal incurs reinstatement fees.

Continuing education: No statutory continuing education for MSBOC carpentry licenses.

Downloadable Asset

2026 Mississippi Carpentry License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.

Download the PDF roadmap →

Out-of-State Reciprocity

For this classification, Mississippi recognizes the NASCLA Accredited Examination.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
Alabama	Trade exam waived	Reciprocal commercial GC agreement with ALBGC.
Louisiana	Trade exam waived	Reciprocal commercial GC agreement with LSLBC.
Tennessee	Trade exam waived	Reciprocal commercial GC agreement with TBLC.

MSBOC accepts the NASCLA Accredited Examination in lieu of the Mississippi commercial trade exam.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares Carpentry license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

The Application Roadmap

Determine residential vs. commercial track. Commercial Certificate of Responsibility for $50,000+ commercial; Residential Builder Certificate for $50,000+ residential.
Prepare a CPA-prepared financial statement. Showing net worth at the requested monetary limit.
Submit the MSBOC application with $200 fee. Online via msboc.us.
Pass the PSI Business and Law and trade exams. Or use NASCLA for commercial.
File proof of GL insurance. Required at application.
File workers compensation certificate. If five or more employees.
Receive the MSBOC certificate. Issued at the next monthly board meeting.
Renew annually on the anniversary date. Submit $200 renewal and updated financial statement.

Pre-Application Checklist

Before submitting to MSBOC, the applicant should have each of the following ready:

☐ MSBOC application with $200 fee
☐ CPA-prepared financial statement
☐ PSI Business and Law and trade exam pass certificates (or NASCLA card)
☐ Certificate of general liability insurance
☐ Workers compensation certificate (if 5+ employees)
☐ Local privilege license(s)
☐ EPA Lead RRP certification (pre-1978 work)

Where Applications Stall

These are the recurring mistakes that most often delay or reject a Mississippi Carpentry application, based on the official instructions cited here.

Splitting projects to dodge the $50,000 threshold

Miss. Code §31-3-15 makes it a violation to split a contract to evade the threshold.

Skipping the financial statement

MSBOC denies applications without a CPA-prepared statement showing the required net worth.

Lead RRP for pre-1978 trim

EPA RRP certification is federally required and Mississippi DEQ enforces concurrently.

Local privilege license

Each Mississippi city requires its own privilege license tax.

Confusing residential and commercial certificates

Holding only the Residential Builder Certificate does not authorize commercial carpentry over $50,000 — and vice versa.

Recommended Study Materials

The list below collects the board's cited references and the materials applicants typically study from. CLR is not paid to recommend any of them.

NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management — Mississippi Edition — NASCLA. Primary Business and Law reference.
International Building Code (Mississippi-adopted edition) — International Code Council. Open-book at PSI.
Miss. Code §31-3 and §73-59 — State of Mississippi. Licensing statutes.

Other Mississippi Trade Licenses

Looking at a different trade? CLR also publishes these Mississippi licensing guides:

Common Questions

What is the Mississippi project value threshold?

Commercial projects of $50,000 or more require an MSBOC Commercial Certificate of Responsibility. Residential new construction of $50,000 or more (or any structural, mechanical or electrical work) requires the Residential Builder Certificate.

Does Mississippi accept NASCLA?

Yes. MSBOC accepts the NASCLA Accredited Examination for the Commercial Building Construction classification.

What financial statement is required?

A CPA-prepared statement showing net worth proportional to the requested monetary limit, minimum $10,000.

Do I need workers compensation?

Yes, for any contractor with five or more employees under Miss. Code §71-3-5.

How often does the certificate renew?

Annually on the anniversary of issuance.

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

Verified 2026-04-20 · Next scheduled review 2026-07-19