Reciprocity
Contractors Must Apply For And Obtain A Contractor's License From MSBOC
MSBOC has entered into reciprocity agreements with the states listed below. Reciprocity applies to waiver of a trade exam requirement only. Each reciprocity agreement varies and may not cover all classifications of licensure. Application by reciprocity does not waive any other application requirements or review by the Board. All applicants are required to take the Mississippi Business and Law exam.
Alabama General Contractors Board waive all exams but Mechanical & Plumbing (CAN waive HVAC) (MUST HOLD CURRENT LICENSE, MUST HAVE TAKEN THE EXAM AND NO DISCIPLINARY ACTION DURING THE LAST YEAR)
Alabama Electrical Board (MUST HOLD CURRENT LICENSE AND MUST HAVE TAKEN THE ALABAMA EXAM)
Alabama Heating and Air (MUST HOLD CURRENT LICENSE AND MUST HAVE TAKEN THE ALABAMA EXAM)
Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board (MUST HOLD CURRENT LICENSE, MUST HAVE TAKEN THE EXAM AND NO DISCIPLINARY ACTION DURING THE LAST YEAR)
Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board waive all exams but any type of Mechanical (i.e. Plumbing, Boilers, Process Piping, HVAC) and Electrical Work (MUST HOLD CURRENT LICENSE, MUST HAVE TAKEN THE EXAM AND NO DISCIPLINARY ACTION DURING THE LAST YEAR)
Florida Construction Industries Licensing Board waive General Building Construction (known as Commercial Building Construction in MS) or Residential Building Construction (MUST HOLD CURRENT LICENSE FOR ONE YEAR, MUST HAVE TAKEN THE EXAM AND NO DISCIPLINARY ACTION DURING THE LAST 5 YEARS)
Georgia Board of Residential and General Contractors (MUST HOLD CURRENT LICENSE FOR ONE YEAR, MUST HAVE TAKEN THE EXAM AND NO DISCIPLINARY ACTION DURING THE LAST 3 YEARS)
Louisiana Licensing Board for Contractors waive all exams but Mechanical (CAN WAIVE HVAC BUT NOT MECHANICAL OR PLUMBING) (MUST HOLD CURRENT LICENSE AND MUST HAVE TAKEN THE LA EXAM)
North Carolina Electrical Contractors Board waive Electrical & Alarm Systems exams only. (MUST HOLD CURRENT LICENSE FOR ONE YEAR, MUST HAVE TAKEN THE EXAM)
North Carolina State Licensing Board for General Contractors waive Building Construction, Residential Building, Concrete, Excavation & Grading, Roofing, Swimming Pools, Water Lines and Sewer (Known as Underground Utilities in MS), Marine and Freshwater Construction and Railroads (North Carolina will waive the railroad exam there if Applicant holds HEAVY CONSTRUCTION in MS) – (MUST HOLD CURRENT LICENSE, MUST HAVE TAKEN THE EXAM AND NO DISCIPLINARY ACTION DURING THE LAST 3 YEARS)
Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board waive exams only for the following classifications: Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing and/or Refrigeration (MUST HOLD CURRENT LICENSE, MUST HAVE TAKEN THE EXAM AND NO DISCIPLINARY ACTION DURING THE LAST YEAR.)
South Carolina Contractors Licensing Board waive Building and Electrical exams only. (MUST HOLD CURRENT LICENSE AND MUST HAVE TAKEN THE EXAM- must have passed an exam given by either PSI, Experior, Block or NAI)
South Carolina Residential Builders Commission waive Residential Builder, Residential Electrical, Residential HVAC, Residential Plumbing – (MUST HOLD CURRENT LICENSE, MUST HAVE TAKEN THE EXAM AND NO DISCIPLINARY ACTION DURING THE LAST 3 YEARS)
Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors waive all exams. This is the only state that waives Mechanical and Plumbing. (MUST HOLD CURRENT LICENSE, MUST HAVE TAKEN THE EXAM AND NO DISCIPLINARY ACTION DURING THE LAST YEAR)
Pursuant to the provisions of the Military Family Freedom Act, Mississippi shall recognize occupational licenses obtained from other states for military members and their families. The issuance of a certificate of responsibility or residential license by reciprocity to a military-trained applicant or military family member shall be subject to the provisions of Miss. Code Ann. §73-50-1. If you are a military-trained applicant, military spouse or military dependent, please notify our office at the time of the application.
Pursuant to the provisions of the Universal Recognition of Occupational Licensure Act, Mississippi shall recognize occupational licenses obtained from other states. The issuance of a certificate of responsibility or residential license pursuant to the Universal Recognition of Occupational Licensure Act shall be subject to the provisions of Miss. Code Ann. §73-50-2.
A general building contractor may choose to take the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building instead of the Mississippi Building Construction exam. The NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building is used by state contractor licensing agencies to test commercial general building contractor candidates who are applying for a commercial contractors license. It is the only multi-state exam for commercial general building contractors. The examination has been designed to reduce redundant licensing requirements and assist contractors who need to be licensed in multiple jurisdictions. The NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building is accepted in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands, West Virginia. See our FAQ (frequently asked questions) section for more detail.
A Master Electrical contractor may choose to take the NASCLA Accredited Electrical Examination instead of the Mississippi Master Electrical exam. The NASCLA Accredited Electrical Examination Program has been developed to improve the overall quality and validity of trade licensing examinations in general for electricians. The program also provides contractor mobility by allowing electricians the opportunity to cross state borders without having to take multiple electrical examinations. The NASCLA Accredited Electrical Examination is currently accepted in Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina. Additional jurisdictions will be participating soon. For up to date information on the NASCLA Accredited Electrical Examination program please visit nascla.org/page/ElectricalExams.
Use the FORMS tab to access the Reciprocity Verification Form.
