Mississippi Masonry License Requirements

Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) lists Masonry, Brick and Stone as a commercial specialty classification. A commercial contractor or subcontractor performing work on a commercial job over $50,000 needs a commercial Certificate of Responsibility with the appropriate classification. MSBOC’s masonry scope covers forming, placing, finishing, installing, repairing, maintaining, and replacing masonry products; cutting and laying brick, clay products, concrete block, other unit masonry, precast block, and structural glass block; plus certain incidental concrete flatwork. For qualifying residential work, the applicable statewide license is usually Residential Remodeler for improvements to an existing residence over $10,000, or Residential Builder for new construction over $50,000. State rules do not displace local permits, inspections, business licenses, or project-specific code requirements.

Regulatory Body

Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) administers the credential or scope-specific rules discussed here under Mississippi Code Title 31, Chapter 3 (Public Contracts) and Title 73, Chapter 59 (Residential Builders). Whether that pathway applies depends on the work scope and conditions explained below. 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

Eligibility Requirements

This guide does not establish a minimum applicant age; confirm any age requirement with the issuing authority. Applicants must provide a Social Security Number. The current MSBOC materials reviewed do not state a general Mississippi-residency prerequisite. Corporations and LLCs must be registered and in good standing with the Mississippi Secretary of State; commercial applicants must supply the required sales/use tax number and income/federal-tax ID.

Good moral character

MSBOC reviews application disclosures, construction experience, references, financial responsibility, and other information needed to determine whether the contractor is responsible. Submit complete, accurate answers and supporting explanations for any required disclosure.

Background investigation

The current commercial application asks about prior licenses, discipline, criminal matters connected with bid rigging or home-repair fraud, and incomplete construction contracts. It does not describe a universal fingerprint-based requirement for this specialty.

Experience and Education

No fixed number of years of experience is set out in the cited sources for this credential; instead, the controlling requirement is MSBOC does not publish a fixed number of years for the commercial Masonry, Brick and Stone specialty in the current materials reviewed. The commercial application requires experience in each requested classification, including at least three completed jobs, and a qualifying party who is an owner, officer, responsible managing employee, or executive staff member..

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

Commercial application project list showing at least three completed Masonry, Brick and Stone jobs
Proof of qualifying-party employment: check stub, W-2, or Secretary of State owner/officer listing, as applicable
Three commercial-application references, including one from a bank or financial institution

Exam Requirements

Testing provider or authority: PSI Services LLC after MSBOC reviews the application and notifies PSI of eligibility. The following examination requirements cover the pathways described in this guide; follow each part's classification, waiver, and local-scope conditions. Unpublished format details do not remove an examination requirement:

Mississippi Law and Business Management examination — 50 questions, 120 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: MSBOC requires the Law and Business Management examination for all applicants. PSI’s published Mississippi contractor registration form lists $120 for one examination portion. MSBOC says an additional trade examination is required only when the classification requires it; Masonry, Brick and Stone is listed without a “Test Required” designation, so this guide does not assert a NASCLA or standalone masonry trade examination.

Retake policy: Apply before scheduling: MSBOC must notify PSI of testing eligibility. Use the current PSI Candidate Information Bulletin supplied by MSBOC for registration and retake rules.

Insurance and Bonds

This credential carries no state-level surety bond requirement under the cited sources. Individual jobs may still trigger a permit or public-works bond, which should be verified before bidding.

General liability

Commercial applicants must provide general-liability coverage of at least $300,000 per occurrence and $600,000 aggregate, with MSBOC shown as certificate holder for cancellation notice. MSBOC’s application materials say residential applicants provide proof of general liability but do not state a dollar minimum.

Workers' compensation

MSBOC requires workers’ compensation evidence when the applicant has five or more employees. Confirm any statutory exclusions and the actual business’s coverage duties with the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission or counsel.

Additional financial requirements

A commercial Masonry, Brick and Stone specialty applicant must submit a reviewed or audited financial statement prepared by a CPA within the preceding 12 months. Compilations are not accepted. The specialty-classification minimum net worth is $20,000; MSBOC describes its commercial certificate as unlimited rather than a series of bid-limit groups.

Fee Schedule

Fee	Amount
Application	$400
Examination	$120
Initial license	No separate amount recorded; confirm in the fee guidance
Renewal (every year)	$400

To turn these board fees into a realistic year-one budget — bond premium, liability insurance, and exam prep included — open the cost calculator preloaded for Mississippi masonry.

Renewal and Continuing Education

Expect to renew the Mississippi Certificate of Responsibility — Masonry, Brick and Stone (Commercial); Residential Remodeler/Builder When Applicable every year. Renewal currently costs $400. Commercial and residential MSBOC licenses renew annually. The current fee schedule lists $400 for commercial renewal and $100 for residential renewal. MSBOC sends renewal notices by email and allows late renewal for up to 180 days after expiration; after that, a new application is required. Use the current Board renewal form for any continuing-education or financial-document requirement.

Downloadable Asset

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

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity

Mississippi does not accept the NASCLA Accredited Examination for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
No formal bilateral reciprocity agreements identified.

NASCLA’s accredited commercial-general-building examination is an option for the Building Construction major classification, not a blanket masonry credential. MSBOC reciprocity can waive a qualifying trade examination only when the current agreement and classification allow it; it does not waive Mississippi Law and Business or the other application requirements.

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

Masonry Licensing in Neighboring States

Contractors working near a state line, or weighing where to qualify first, should compare Mississippi's requirements against the bordering jurisdictions before committing to an application:

Alabama Masonry License Requirements — Alabama Masonry Contractor — AL General Contractors Board Requirements
Arkansas Masonry License Requirements — Arkansas Masonry Contractor Requirements — Commercial and Residential Classifications
Louisiana Masonry License Requirements — Louisiana Commercial Masonry, Brick, Stone Subclassification (1.7) — LSLBC
Tennessee Masonry License Requirements — Tennessee Masonry Contractor License (BC-9 or Licensed Masonry Contractor)

Step-by-Step Application Roadmap

Identify the applicable state framework. Commercial masonry work over $50,000 requires a commercial certificate with the proper classification. For an existing-residence improvement over $10,000, evaluate Residential Remodeler; for new residential construction over $50,000, evaluate Residential Builder.
Confirm the commercial scope. Match the proposed work to MSBOC’s Masonry, Brick and Stone scope. Obtain any additional classification or properly licensed subcontractor for work outside that scope.
Build the commercial application record. Name the qualifying party, document qualifying employment, list at least three completed masonry jobs, and obtain three references including the required bank reference.
Prepare financial, tax, and insurance documents. Commercial applicants need a qualifying reviewed/audited CPA financial statement, the required tax IDs, $300,000/$600,000 general liability, workers’ compensation evidence when applicable, and Secretary of State good standing for a corporation or LLC.
File the commercial application and complete testing. File the $400 commercial application, including one trade classification. After MSBOC confirms eligibility, the qualifying party takes the Mississippi Law and Business Management examination and any additional trade exam MSBOC currently requires.
Use the residential route when the work is residential. Residential remodeling and new residential construction use separate MSBOC licenses and thresholds. The initial residential application fee is $50; follow MSBOC’s current residential application, examination, and document rules.
Confirm city and county requirements. State qualification does not replace local permits, inspections, business registration, code administration, or project requirements. Contact the project authority having jurisdiction rather than relying on a different locality’s policy.
Renew and keep application information current. Commercial and residential MSBOC licenses renew annually. Maintain current insurance and qualifying-party information, and respond to the Board’s email renewal notice.

Application Checklist

The most critical documents or confirmations the applicant should have in hand before filing with MSBOC:

Confirm the commercial $50,000 threshold or the correct residential remodeler/builder pathway
Commercial: select Masonry, Brick and Stone only for work within the published scope
Commercial: qualifying party, proof of employment, and at least three completed relevant projects
Commercial: three references, including one from a bank or financial institution
Commercial: reviewed or audited CPA financial statement showing at least $20,000 net worth
Commercial: $300,000/$600,000 general-liability certificate and workers’ compensation proof when five or more employees
Commercial: required tax IDs, Secretary of State good standing when applicable, $400 application, and Law and Business examination
Residential: complete the separate Residential Remodeler or Builder application when the relevant threshold is met
Confirm local permits, inspections, business registration, and project-code requirements

Common Filing Mistakes

Working from the cited board instructions, here are the snags most likely to trip up a Mississippi Masonry filing.

Using the wrong residential threshold

Existing-residence improvements over $10,000 are not governed by the $50,000 new-construction threshold. Identify the actual project type and contractor role.

Submitting an insufficient commercial financial statement

For the Masonry, Brick and Stone specialty, MSBOC requires a reviewed or audited CPA statement within 12 months and at least $20,000 net worth. A compilation is not accepted.

Planning around an unverified NASCLA masonry exam

The universal Mississippi Law and Business examination is required. MSBOC says any additional trade examination depends on the classification; Masonry, Brick and Stone is not marked “Test Required” in the current list.

Assuming a commercial certificate fixes residential compliance

Commercial and residential paths use separate thresholds and rules. Match the state credential to the project type and confirm unclear work with MSBOC.

Treating state licensure as the only approval

Check the project locality for permits, inspections, business licensing, and locally enforced building-code requirements before starting work.

Study and Reference Materials

The references below are either cited by the board, used during the application, or standard preparation for the trade. They are listed purely for convenience — CLR earns no commission on any of them.

Mississippi Law and Business Management Candidate Information Bulletin — PSI Services LLC / Mississippi State Board of Contractors. MSBOC supplies the current PSI bulletin after it reviews testing eligibility. Use it for the current reference list, fee, permitted materials, and any trade-exam requirement.
MSBOC Commercial Application and Masonry, Brick and Stone classification — Mississippi State Board of Contractors. Use these current materials for scope, application, financial statement, insurance, reference, tax, and classification requirements.
Project-jurisdiction building department requirements — Applicable city or county authority having jurisdiction. State contractor licensure does not determine every project permit, inspection, or locally adopted code requirement.

Other Mississippi Trade Licenses

Should the Masonry path not apply, these other Mississippi trade guides from CLR may help:

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Mississippi have a commercial masonry classification?

Yes. MSBOC lists Masonry, Brick and Stone as a commercial specialty classification. It covers the specific masonry products and related work defined on the Board’s classification page.

When is a Mississippi commercial certificate required?

MSBOC says commercial contractors and subcontractors performing work on commercial jobs over $50,000 need a commercial Certificate of Responsibility. Confirm the full job value and classification before bidding.

What residential threshold applies to masonry work?

Existing-residence improvements over $10,000 generally follow the Residential Remodeler law. New residential construction over $50,000 follows Residential Builder rules. The applicable role and project type matter, so confirm borderline work with MSBOC.

Is a NASCLA masonry examination required?

No blanket NASCLA masonry requirement was verified. MSBOC requires Mississippi Law and Business for all applicants and says a trade exam depends on the classification. Masonry, Brick and Stone is published without a “Test Required” designation; verify any current testing instruction with MSBOC.

Do local building requirements still apply?

Yes. MSBOC licensure does not replace a city or county permit, inspection, business license, or local code-administration requirement. Check with the project authority having jurisdiction.

Primary Sources

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

Verified 2026-09-04 · Next scheduled review 2026-12-03

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Corrections and presentation updates

2026-09-30: Corrected examination detection when format details are unpublished and updated the summary layout and requirements score. Source-check dates are unchanged.
2026-09-08: Shared template updated to distinguish unspecified eligibility requirements, retain cost qualifications, and use consistent headings. Source-check dates are unchanged by presentation updates.
2026-09-21: Local-only guides now use a compliance-focused structure and terminology instead of implying a statewide license application. Source-check dates are unchanged by this presentation update.