Contractor License from Pennsylvania to Mississippi: Does It Transfer? (2026)
There is no Pennsylvania state license to carry to Mississippi: Pennsylvania issues no contractor license or trade license, only a state registration. Mississippi does license this work, so ask the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) whether it credits a local license or your documented experience; otherwise you qualify as a new applicant.
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Verdict
No state license to transfer
The issue on this move is the starting point: Pennsylvania issues no contractor license or trade license, so there is no Pennsylvania state license for Mississippi to recognize. Mississippi does license general contractors through the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC): ask whether it credits a local license or documented experience, and expect its full application, business/law exam, financial statement and bond otherwise.
What changes, Pennsylvania → Mississippi
| Pennsylvania (current) | Mississippi (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | Registration 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.) | $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 | 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
- Review Mississippi's requirements on the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Ask the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) whether it credits a local Pennsylvania license or your documented experience: Pennsylvania issues no statewide contractor license or trade license, so there is no state license to verify.
- Otherwise apply as a new applicant: meet Mississippi's education/experience requirements and pass the exams it requires.
- Submit the application with 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 Pennsylvania contractor license?
There is no Pennsylvania state license to carry to Mississippi: Pennsylvania issues no contractor license or trade license, only a state registration. Mississippi does license this work, so ask the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) whether it credits a local license or your documented experience; otherwise you qualify as a new applicant.
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?
$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)
- 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 the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources 2026-09-01
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]