Mississippi Residential Builder License Information
Services:
The Mississippi Residential Builder License (General Contractor) covers the construction of one to four unit residential structures not over 3 stories.
Requirements:
-Licensure will be required for the practice of contracting in Mississippi for $50,000 or more.
-Pre-approval from the state is required to sit for the examination.
-The Mississippi Business and Law exam is not required to obtain your contractor’s license.
-Applicants must submit CPA reviewed financial statements.
Applications:
To apply, contact the Mississippi Board by calling 1-800-880-6161 or download the application http://www.msboc.us/
Mississippi Licensing Board for General Contractors Testing Process:
1. Candidates seeking licensure must complete license application and submit to the State. Application must be received 30 days prior to a board meeting (2nd Weds of Jan, Apr, July, and Oct).
2. The Board will mail you the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin and provide instructions for registering for the exam and determine which exam you need to take.
3. Candidates register with PSI www.psiexams.com. Fees can be paid by check, or credit card. Those paying by credit card can register over the telephone or on the Internet.
4. Candidates take their tests at the PSI testing facility. You need to bring in a government issued photo ID in order to verify their identity prior to the testing session. Candidates will have their picture taken at the exam site and will provide PSI a signature by signing the test center log.
5. Upon completion of the test, score reports will be given to each candidate and the licensing Board. Passing candidates will receive a passing letter.
6. Passing candidates submit the successful score reports to the Board prior to the board meeting.
7. The State will mail out licenses to those candidates that have taken and passed the exam and which have had their applications reviewed and approved by the board.
About the Exam
The Mississippi Residential Builder Contractor License Exam has 80 questions and a time limit of 3 hours. A 70% is required to pass. Topics on the exam include sitework, footings, and foundation; concrete and concrete reinforcement; masonry; carpentry; roofing; associated trades; general code and construction knowledge; plan reading and estimating, and OSHA safety.
PSI (1-800-733-9267) is the test administrator. You can schedule your exam only after you have obtained your pre-approval from the board. Please download the Candidate Information Bulletin for current information on where exams are being held and for important details and rules on taking the exam.
Reference Books

The following reference books are permitted to be taken into the exam.
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2006 International Residential Code
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OSHA Part 1926
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Modern Masonry
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Pipe and Excavation Contracting
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Contractors Guide to Quality Concrete Construction
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Carpentry and Building Construction
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Roofing Construction and Estimating, 1995
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Guide to Good Practice for Handling, Installing, Restraining, and Bracing of Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses, 2006
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Rules and Regulations Residential Contractors, MS State Board of Contractors www.msboc.us/reslawt.cfm
These books are available for purchase by clicking here: Contractor Bookstore
Exam Preparation Study Course
We offer an easy-to-use, in-depth review for the Mississippi Building Contractor Exam through a home study and online course format. The program takes you through each one of the reference books that the exam is based on showing you what to highlight and stressing important points from the books. This is accomplished with the following unique components: Audio CD’s to listen to when in the vehicle, online narrated and animated presentations/highlighting sessions, and with a study guide (that can be printed or viewed online). After your review of the materials, you can take as many practice exams as you would like with our software. There are hundreds of questions drawn from the reference books that are randomly generated to create each practice exam, mirroring the format of the actual state exam. The tests are timed and graded, and you can go back and review your results and study more on the areas you may have missed. Our program INCLUDES a review of the business & project management portion of the exam, complete with its own highlighting session and practice tests.
Our study course covers the major trades books and includes the business, law & project management material. To purchase the study course, please click here: MS Residential Builder Exam Prep Course
