Contractor License from Michigan to Mississippi: Does It Transfer? (2026)
A contractor license transfers from Michigan to Mississippi by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC), verify your Michigan license, and meet Mississippi's endorsement requirements. Reciprocity waives only the trade examination and varies by state and classification; the Mississippi Business and Law exam is required of all applicants. A commercial general building applicant may substitute the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building.
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Mississippi has no license-to-license agreement covering Michigan for the selected trade, so this move runs on Mississippi's case-by-case endorsement process. If you do commercial general-building work, note that Mississippi accepts the NASCLA exam in place of its own trade exam. Electricians should check Mississippi's NERA status.
What changes, Michigan → Mississippi
| Michigan (current) | Mississippi (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | Not verified — board site inaccessible | $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 verified — board site inaccessible | Board does not publish a fixed processing time; varies by application review cycle |
| Licensing authority | Michigan Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes — Residential Builders; Electrical Administrative Board | 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 endorsement 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 a Michigan contractor license?
A contractor license transfers from Michigan to Mississippi by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC), verify your Michigan license, and meet Mississippi's endorsement requirements. Reciprocity waives only the trade examination and varies by state and classification; the Mississippi Business and Law exam is required of all applicants. A commercial general building applicant may substitute the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building.
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 Michigan-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)
- Michigan LARA — Bureau of Construction Codes ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources 2026-09-01
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]