04/09/2025
A public service announcement regarding unlicensed contractors.
Everyone tells you to hire licensed and insured contractors, but do you really understand why this is so important?
State-licensed contractors in Mississippi are thoroughly vetted by the state to be sure that they are capable and qualified of providing the services that they are licensed for. Among the items reviewed by the Board of Contractors are:
- An extensive review of the applicant’s documented trade experience and education.
- Professional references.
- Proof of insurance prior to licensure, and then annually, in order to keep the license.
- Applicants are required to provide an CPA-reviewed financial statement, evidencing that they have sufficient financial means. CPA-reviewed financial statements must also be submitted annually in order to keep a license.
- The successful passing of both a technical exam and a business law exam.
The state does all the heavy lifting in screening contractors for you, to be sure that the licensed professional you hire is well-qualified to perform the work. This is all done to protect the lives and property of its citizens.
If nothing you have read so far convinces you that you should only hire licensed contractors, you should be aware that if someone is injured, or your home is damaged because of faulty work performed by an unlicensed contractor, that unlicensed contractor may very well have no insurance for you to file a claim against. Additionally, your own insurer may deny the claim or cancel your policy, because an unlicensed contractor was used. This can leave you personally liable for any injuries and property damages. Any contractor who makes excuses about why they cannot provide you with a certificate of insurance may not be insured, at all.
Mississippi laws on trade licenses recently changed. Pursuant to HB 1163, which went into effect on July 1, 2022, Mississippi law requires a license issued by the Mississippi State Board of Contractors for the following:
• COMMERCIAL CONTRACTORS (general and subs) performing work over $50,000.
• FIRE SPRINKLER CONTRACTORS performing work over $5,000 on public commercial projects or $10,000 on private commercial projects.
• RESIDENTIAL BUILDER performing new residential construction over $50,000. The Residential Builder license covers residential remodeling and residential roofing work.
• RESIDENTIAL REMODELER making improvements to an existing residence over $10,000. The Residential Remodeler license also covers residential roofing work.
• RESIDENTIAL ROOFER performing roofing work on a residence over $10,000. The Residential Roofer license covers roofing work only.
• RESIDENTIAL SUBCONTRACTORS performing life safety trades of RESIDENTIAL ELECTRICAL WORK, RESIDENTIAL PLUMBING WORK, RESIDENTIAL HVAC WORK or RESIDENTIAL MECHANICAL WORK on residential construction or residential improvement projects, no matter the dollar amount of the construction or improvements.
• RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION MANAGERS acting in the capacity as a construction manager through a contract or an agreement with the owner of the property.
• RESIDENTIAL SOLAR CONTRACTORS acting in the capacity as a residential solar contractor.
Many of the people who respond to social media posts seeking contractors claim to be licensed and insured. If you are looking for a licensed contractor in one of the above categories, all you need to do to verify their license status is to go to this MS licensing website and look the person or company up.
MS Board of Contractors License Lookup: http://search.msboc.us/ConsolidatedSearch.cfm
If you have any questions about someone’s license status, or aren’t sure which license is required for your project, you may also call the Mississippi Board of Contractors at (601) 354-6161. Call A&E today for Qualified Electricians to Service and or Wire your Home or Business Jason 228-466-9857 or Roger 228-493-9857
