Mississippi

In the wake of storms, Mississippi continues development and rebuilding. Mississippi keeps on growing and building with quality and in smarter ways. Licensed builders can expect plenty of work and contracts continuing through the next several years. It’s time to get licensed and reap the benefits. The related articles express the realized and anticipated growth in the state of Mississippi.

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Do I need a license?

According to the Mississippi Code, if the cost of a project is at the limits listed below or higher, you need a contractor license.

If the cost of the project is less than $10,000 or if the building is the owner's personal residence or real estate holding, a license is not required. A Commercial Construction license is also required for any public works project with a contract cost of more than $50,000.

Obtaining your Mississippi Contractor License will enable you to charge customers and be compensated for your work.

How to acquire your Mississippi Contractors License

The following are the requirements to obtain your Mississippi Contractor's license:

1. Complete the application from the Contractor Licensing Board. Applications can be obtained from:

   Mississippi Contractor Licensing Board
   215 Woodline Drive, Suite B
   Jackson, MS 39232
   Phone - (601) 354-6161 / (800) 880-6161
   Fax: (601) 354-6715
   http://www.msboc.state.ms.us/

2. Successfully complete the contractors exam that measures your knowledge of the profession.
3. Submit the builder license application fee and supporting documents to the Mississippi Contractor Licensing Board.Applications must be received 30 days prior to regularly scheduled Board meeting dates. The regular meeting dates for the Board are the second Wednesday in January, April, July, and October.

The Best Test Prep Software for the Mississippi Contractor Exam

The first step in obtaining your Mississippi Contractor License is preparing to take the contractors test. Our contractors exam preparation software will help you accomplish this task in the most efficient way possible. By practicing all of the possible questions in the software, you will be prepared for any combination of questions that you may be given on your contractors license exam. In addition, studying our software helps you become familiar with computer generated tests and greatly reduces your anxiety on the day of your builder license exam since you prepared using a computer based testing (CBT) format.

The next step is registering to take the contractors license exam. It is recommended that once you select a date to take the exam, you call at least 2 weeks in advance to schedule the test. There are 4 ways to register for the Mississippi Contractor Exam:

1. Internet - Log onto www.psiexams.com and complete the online test registration form. Once you complete the form you will be given a list of available dates to schedule your contractors license exam.
2. Fax - Completely fill out the PSI Registration Form and fax to PSI at (702) 932-2666. When faxing registration materials, please wait 4 days before calling to schedule your examination.
3. Standard Mail - Complete the Examination Registration Form in the Candidate Information Bulletin. Return the completed original form to PSI with the appropriate examination fee.
4. Telephone - Call PSI at (800) 733-9267, 24 hours a day and schedule using the Automated Registration System or between 6:30 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. CT Monday through Friday and between 10:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. on Saturday to schedule an appointment for the contractors license test with a registrar.

Builders license exams are given at the following location:

• Jackson 
  1050 Northpark Drive, Suite C
  Ridgeland, MS 39157

Examinations are also given at 7 regional testing centers located in:

• New Orleans, LA
• Baton Rouge, LA
• Shreveport, LA
• Huntsville, AL
• Birmingham, AL
• Montgomery, AL
• Mobile, AL

Included with the software is the Candidate Information Bulletin which outlines the topics covered on the General Contractors Exam. Complete instructions for taking the contractors license exam and directions to the testing centers are also provided.

Taking the Builders License Exam

You have studied diligently and are ready to take the contractors license exam. You can arrive with confidence knowing that you are prepared for the questions on the test. It is recommended that you arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled testing time. You must present two (2) valid forms of identification when you arrive at the testing center. One of the ID's must have a photograph and your signature. A driver's license will satisfy this requirement. The name on the application must exactly match the name on the photo ID used to check in for the builders test. In addition, you should bring a non-programmable calculator. Our software will prepare you for the following 5 exams:

Building Construction Contractors are required to take a Business Management and Law exam. After you have completed the test, your score will immediately be displayed on the computer screen and a printed copy of your results will be given to you.

Obtaining the Builders License

Once you have successfully passed the contractors license exam, your test results will be sent to the Mississippi State Board of Contractors. The Board will then issue your license to practice as a General Contractor in the State of Mississippi.

Traps to avoid

It is a common misconception that since the builder exam is open book, it is not difficult to pass. In actuality the contractor license exam is more difficult to pass than similar closed book exams since you have books available as a resource during the contractor exam. You are permitted to bring certain reference materials into the builder test. The reference materials may be highlighted, underlined, or indexed to assist you in finding information quickly. The books may not be written in and may not contain any additional papers. (Do not use sticky notes or Post Its to index your books because they are not permitted and you will be asked to remove them at the test center.) You are required to bring your own reference materials because they are not available at the testing center. We recommend purchasing the following reference books and using them together with our software to give you the greatest chance of passing the builders license test the first time. The following books and references are allowed into the contractors license exam:

Book Title	Building Construction	Residential Builder	Carpentry	Remodeler
Business and Project Management for Contractors	YES		YES	YES
Carpentry and Building Construction	YES	YES	YES	YES
Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926	YES	YES	YES	YES
Contractors Guide to Quality Concrete Construction		YES
Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures	YES			YES
Finish Carpentry			YES	YES
Gypsum Construction Handbook			YES
Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders	YES
Instructional Manual for Training and Certification of Steel Personnel for Unbonded Post-Tensioning	YES
International Residential Code		YES

Mississippi Contractors License

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