Contractor License from Pennsylvania to Mississippi: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) ↗
A contractor license transfers from Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 does not have a trade agreement covering Pennsylvania for the selected trade, so this move runs on Mississippi's case-by-case endorsement process. If you do commercial general-building work, check whether Mississippi accepts the NASCLA exam — passing it once can replace the trade exam here and in about fourteen other states. Electricians should check Mississippi's NERA status.
What changes, Pennsylvania → Mississippi
| Pennsylvania (current) | Mississippi (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $100 ($100 registration every two years (non-refundable); online card payment adds a $2 processing fee. There is no state contractor license fee; electrical/plumbing licensing is handled at the municipal/local level.) | Application/reciprocity fees are published in the MSBOC Schedule of Fees on the Forms page; not captured here to avoid an unverified figure. |
| Processing time | 2–3 weeks (Registration certificate arrives by mail within 2 to 3 weeks unless the application is incomplete.) | Board does not publish a fixed processing time; varies by application review cycle. |
| Licensing authority | Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General — Home Improvement Contractor Registration (HICPA) | 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 (Application/reciprocity fees are published in the MSBOC Schedule of Fees on the Forms page; not captured here to avoid an unverified figure.) and allow Board does not publish a fixed processing time; varies by application review cycle..
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Mississippi accept a Pennsylvania contractor license?
A contractor license transfers from Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania-to-Mississippi move cost and how long does it take?
Application/reciprocity fees are published in the MSBOC Schedule of Fees on the Forms page; not captured here to avoid an unverified figure.; processing Board does not publish a fixed processing time; varies by application review cycle..
Would the NASCLA exam help for this move?
If you do commercial general-building work, possibly — about 15 states accept the NASCLA Accredited Commercial General Building exam toward licensure. Check whether Mississippi is one on the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) site.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- MSBOC - Reciprocity ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- MSBOC - Classifications ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- PA OAG — Home Improvement Contractor Registration System (fee, insurance, PA#, processing) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- PA OAG — Home Improvement Contractor FAQ ($5,000 threshold, out-of-state contractors must register) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]