Mississippi Roofing License Requirements (2026)

The Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) licenses roofing contractors under Miss. Code §31-3. Commercial roofing projects of $50,000 or more require a Commercial Contractor license with the Roofing and Sheet Metal classification; residential roofing projects of $50,000 or more (or any residential new construction) require a Residential Builder / Residential Remodeler license with the Roofing classification. Below those thresholds Mississippi does not require state licensure, but coastal counties (Hancock, Harrison, Jackson) enforce wind-borne debris and fastening rules under the Mississippi Windstorm Underwriting Plan territory.

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 21 years of age and possess a valid Social Security Number. No Mississippi residency requirement.

Good moral character

MSBOC reviews fraud and construction-related felonies.

Background investigation

Disclosure required on application.

Experience and Education Standards

The sources cited here stop short of naming a year requirement; the operative standard is no formal experience threshold for the Commercial Contractor license; MSBOC relies on the financial statement and exam.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

Project list for the qualifying party
Reference letters

Education substitution

Not applicable.

The Exam Syllabus

The exam, administered by PSI Services LLC, breaks into the parts shown below — all must be passed before licensure:

Mississippi Commercial Roofing Trade Exam — 60 questions, 180 minutes, passing score 70%
Mississippi Business and Law Exam — 50 questions, 120 minutes, passing score 70%
Mississippi Residential Builder / Remodeler Exam (residential track) — 90 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $80 per exam.

Retake policy: Failed exams retaken at $80 each; application valid 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 requires minimum $300,000 per occurrence general liability. Market practice $1,000,000.

Workers' compensation

Mandatory for every Mississippi employer with five or more employees under Miss. Code §71-3.

Additional financial requirements

Reviewed or audited financial statement by a CPA showing minimum net worth matching the requested monetary limit.

Schedule of Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$200
Examination	$160
Initial license	$200
Renewal (every year)	$200

Renewal and Continuing Obligations

The Mississippi State Board of Contractors — Commercial / Residential Roofing runs on a year renewal cycle. The current renewal fee is $200. Annual renewal with updated financials.

Continuing education: Residential Builders need eight hours of CE annually. Commercial has none.

Downloadable Asset

2026 Mississippi Roofing 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	Bilateral MSBOC–AGC endorsement.
Louisiana	Trade exam waived	Bilateral MSBOC–LSLBC endorsement.
Tennessee	Trade exam waived	Bilateral MSBOC–TBLC endorsement.
Arkansas	Trade exam waived	Bilateral MSBOC–AR CLB endorsement.

MSBOC accepts NASCLA for the commercial trade exam. Business and Law never waived.

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

The Application Roadmap

Pick Commercial or Residential track. Both thresholds $50,000.
Prepare reviewed or audited financial statement. Net worth supports the monetary limit requested.
Submit the MSBOC application. $200 application fee per classification.
Pass the PSI trade and Business and Law exams. 70% on each. NASCLA waives the commercial trade exam.
Bind GL and workers compensation. $300,000 statutory GL; workers comp at five employees under Miss. Code §71-3.
Register with the Mississippi Secretary of State if non-resident. Foreign entities register before applying.
Receive license and renew annually. Annual renewal $200 plus updated financial statement.

Recommended Study Materials

The following references are cited by the regulator, used in the application process, or commonly used to prepare for the trade scope. Listed for reader convenience; CLR receives no compensation for these recommendations.

Mississippi Contractor Candidate Information Bulletin — PSI Services. Exam source list.
Miss. Code §31-3 — State Board of Contractors — State of Mississippi. Licensing statute.
Mississippi State Building Code (IBC with wind amendments) — MEMA State Fire Marshal. Coastal wind uplift and fastening rules.

Pre-Application Checklist

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

☐ MSBOC application + $200 per classification
☐ Reviewed or audited financial statement
☐ PSI trade exam pass (70%+)
☐ PSI Business and Law pass (70%+)
☐ General liability certificate ($300K+)
☐ Mississippi workers comp declaration page (5+ employees)

Where Applications Stall

The following pitfalls summarize the issues most likely to delay, return, or derail a Mississippi Roofing application based on the published board instructions and source materials cited on this page.

Coastal wind-borne debris fastening

Hancock, Harrison, Jackson coastal counties require enhanced fastening under MWUP territory rules. Standard patterns fail inspection.

Secondary water barrier

Coastal Mississippi reroofs require secondary water barrier (peel-and-stick or fully-adhered) beneath shingles. Missing it fails inspection and fails post-storm insurance.

Post-hurricane unlicensed contracting

MSBOC investigates out-of-state crews after storms. Unlicensed $50K+ commercial or residential work carries penalties under §31-3-15.

Hot-mop fire safety

NFPA 241 fire watch required. Mississippi coastal humidity does not eliminate the fire risk — kettle fires trigger liability.

Mississippi Contractor Recovery Fund assessment

Residential Builders contribute to the Recovery Fund — missing the assessment lapses the license.

Other Mississippi Trade Licenses

For a different Mississippi credential, see these companion guides published by CLR:

Common Questions

What is the Mississippi threshold?

Commercial roofing $50,000 and residential roofing $50,000 trigger state licensure under Miss. Code §31-3.

Does Mississippi accept NASCLA?

Yes for the commercial trade exam. Business and Law is never waived.

What GL minimum does MSBOC require?

$300,000 per occurrence. Market practice is $1,000,000.

Is workers comp mandatory?

Yes at five or more employees under Miss. Code §71-3.

When does the license renew?

Annually. Renewal fee $200 with updated financial statement.

Primary Sources

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

Verified 2026-05-21 · Next scheduled review 2026-08-19