Contractor License from Arkansas to Mississippi: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Yes — Mississippi has a reciprocity arrangement covering Arkansas license holders. Apply to the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) under its reciprocity/endorsement track; it typically waives the trade exam and complete Mississippi's remaining requirements.
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Verdict
Reciprocity agreement
Mississippi has a trade agreement covering Arkansas — but read it at the trade-and-class level before celebrating. The agreement waives Mississippi's exam for the specific trade and class named in the table below; your other licenses may not be covered. What survives for every applicant: Mississippi's business and law exam, financial statement, bond, and registration. Confirm your exact trade and class against the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) listing.
What changes, Arkansas → Mississippi
| Arkansas (current) | Mississippi (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $100 (ACLB commercial/Residential-Builder license filing fee is $100 per the board's application (Residential Remodeler/Home Improvement $50); electrical, plumbing, and HVAC/R licenses carry separate agency fees not captured.) | $50–$400 (MSBOC Schedule of Fees (effective 2016-01-01): Residential Application $50; Commercial Application $400; each additional classification $100. The reciprocity route adds Request for Waiver of Exam $50 per exam waived and Reciprocity/Verification of License $25. Trade and MS Business and Law examination fees charged by the testing vendor, bonds, and insurance are separate.) |
| Processing time | Not stated on official pages | Board does not publish a fixed processing time; varies by application review cycle |
| Licensing authority | Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board (Dept. of Labor and Licensing); trades via the Board of Electrical Examiners, HVAC/R Licensing Board, and Dept. of Health plumbing program | Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Mississippi sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Mississippi's current requirements on the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the reciprocity application to the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Pass the Mississippi Business and Law examination (required of all applicants).
- Hold a current, active license in good standing in the reciprocal state.
- Have taken the qualifying trade examination in the reciprocal state.
- Meet the reciprocal state disciplinary-history clearance (1 to 5 years, varies by state).
- Submit the MSBOC Reciprocity Verification Form.
- Pay the fees ($50–$400 (MSBOC Schedule of Fees (effective 2016-01-01): Residential Application $50; Commercial Application $400; each additional classification $100. The reciprocity route adds Request for Waiver of Exam $50 per exam waived and Reciprocity/Verification of License $25. Trade and MS Business and Law examination fees charged by the testing vendor, bonds, and insurance are separate.)). Processing time: Board does not publish a fixed processing time; varies by application review cycle.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Mississippi accept an Arkansas contractor license?
Yes — Mississippi has a reciprocity arrangement covering Arkansas license holders. Apply to the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) under its reciprocity/endorsement track; it typically waives the trade exam and complete Mississippi's remaining requirements.
What still applies even if reciprocity covers my trade?
Mississippi's business and law exam, financial statement, bond, and registration — reciprocity waives the trade exam only, not these.
What does the Arkansas-to-Mississippi move cost and how long does it take?
$50–$400 (MSBOC Schedule of Fees (effective 2016-01-01): Residential Application $50; Commercial Application $400; each additional classification $100. The reciprocity route adds Request for Waiver of Exam $50 per exam waived and Reciprocity/Verification of License $25. Trade and MS Business and Law examination fees charged by the testing vendor, bonds, and insurance are separate.) Processing time: Board does not publish a fixed processing time; varies by application review cycle.
Would the NASCLA exam help for this move?
Possibly, for the trade it covers: Mississippi's board accepts a NASCLA accredited exam in place of its own trade exam (verified 2026-09-01). The business/law exam, bond and application still apply.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-09-01.
- MSBOC - Reciprocity ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- MSBOC - Classifications ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- MSBOC - Schedule of Fees (effective 2016-01-01) ↗ (accessed 2026-09-01)
- Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board — Reciprocal Form (AL, TN, LA, MS, NC; 1 year held; substitutes for Business & Law exam) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Arkansas Electrical Inspection and Licensing — reciprocal agreements (journeyman 16 states; master IA/ND/OR/TX; original license only) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Arkansas HVAC/R (Dept. of Labor and Licensing) — no reciprocal agreements with any other state ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Arkansas Dept. of Health — Plumbing & Natural Gas (discretionary substantially-similar recognition, no formal reciprocity) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources 2026-09-01
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