Quick Reference Table
License Type | Residential HVAC or Commercial Mechanical |
|---|---|
Regulating Agency | Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) |
Experience Required | Relevant trade experience (suggested: 4 years) |
Exam Required | Yes, Law & Business and HVAC trade exams (PSI) |
License Renewal | Annually (1 year cycle) |
Continuing Education | None required as of 2026 |
Fees – Residential | $50 application, $100 renewal (as of Feb 2026, verify at MSBOC fee schedule) |
Fees – Commercial | $400 application, $400 renewal (as of Feb 2026, verify at MSBOC fee schedule) |
Official Application | |
Exam Details | |
Board Homepage |
HVAC License Requirements in Mississippi: Who Needs a License?
You need an MSBOC-issued license to perform or bid HVAC work that exceeds Mississippi's legal project thresholds. For commercial projects over $50,000, or for public fire sprinkler projects above $5,000, or private above $10,000, HVAC contractors must be licensed. On the residential side, you must be licensed if the HVAC or mechanical portion is part of new home construction over $50,000, or remodeling/addition work over $10,000, or any residential roofing exceeding $10,000.
Importantly, even if you are a subcontractor (not the general contractor), you must still hold your own license for HVAC work on projects meeting these thresholds. The state requires the qualifying party, typically an owner, officer, or managing employee in the business, to take the exams and be officially named with the application. Homeowners may have municipal exemptions for their own residence's HVAC, but this is decided at the city or county level and not by MSBOC.
To summarize, you must be licensed for regulated HVAC work if:
You contract for or subcontract HVAC/mechanical work as an individual or business above the project value thresholds
You are an employee who acts as the qualifying party for a business bidding regulated projects
Your planned work involves regulated HVAC activities for public, private, or residential projects requiring a state license
Always check MSBOC classifications and your local municipal requirements before bidding any work to ensure you meet the HVAC license requirements in Mississippi.
HVAC License Types
Mississippi offers two principal license types for HVAC contractors: the Residential HVAC (Specialty, a subset of Residential Mechanical) and the Commercial Mechanical Contractor license. Both license types permit you to lawfully contract and perform HVAC installation, repair, service, or remodeling, but each is tied to particular project types and values.
The Residential HVAC classification authorizes HVAC work on qualifying single-family homes, duplexes, or residential projects. The Commercial Mechanical Contractor license covers HVAC and related trades (such as refrigeration and piping) on larger-scale or commercial building projects, including public works. You may apply for either or both, depending on your business operations. Applicants seeking both types must submit separate applications, with their own supporting documentation and payment of required fees for each classification.
For both types, the qualifying party must demonstrate sufficient hands-on experience and technical knowledge, and must pass all required exams as set by the board. The state distinguishes these categories to align with construction law and ensure only proven experts may operate above each threshold when meeting HVAC license requirements in Mississippi.
How to Get Licensed in Mississippi
Choose Your License Classification
To begin with the HVAC license requirements in Mississippi, decide whether you need a Residential HVAC or Commercial Mechanical license, or both. Each classification is project-specific. Consult the MSBOC's official guidance or contact the board directly if you are unsure which classification fits your business.
Register Your Business
Register your business entity with the Mississippi Secretary of State. Ensure your business is in good standing. Assemble your business documents such as articles of incorporation for corporations, partnership agreements, or sole proprietorship certification. This is a core part of the HVAC license requirements in Mississippi.
Complete and Submit the Application
Download and fill out the application packet for your selected license classification from the MSBOC Application Page. Incomplete applications cause delays or are destroyed after 180 days. Accurately complete all forms and review the checklist for supporting documentation.
Provide Supporting Documents
Prepare proof of HVAC experience, W-2s, contracts, or letters of reference. Include your general liability insurance paperwork. For commercial applicants, submit a reviewed CPA financial statement. If you have five or more employees, proof of workers’ compensation insurance is required. Add your EPA Section 608 certificate if you work with refrigerants. Making sure documents are in order is vital for the HVAC license requirements in Mississippi.
Pay Fees and Submit Your Application
Pay the appropriate application fee: $400 for commercial, $50 for residential (applying as of February 2026). Attach payment to your submission. Additional fees may be necessary for extra classifications or special board actions. Refer to the MSBOC fee schedule for the latest amounts.
Board Review and Exam Assignment
MSBOC reviews complete applications on a weekly basis. Once approved, they notify PSI, which administers the exams. You will receive scheduling instructions from PSI.
Schedule and Pass Exams
Register with PSI to take the Law & Business exam and the HVAC Mechanical trade test. Guidelines are detailed in the PSI Mississippi Candidate Bulletin. Passing both exams is essential to fulfill the HVAC license requirements in Mississippi. You have six months and unlimited attempts during this period.
Receive and Verify Your License
After passing the exams and satisfying all requirements, MSBOC issues your license and mails it within five business days following final approval. Always verify your HVAC license by checking the MSBOC online license search tool.
Application Requirements
Applicants must meet several specific requirements for the HVAC license in Mississippi. These criteria vary slightly by classification, but the core expectations remain similar for all HVAC professionals. Fulfill all steps to satisfy the HVAC license requirements in Mississippi.
Experience and Age
The qualifying party (the individual taking the exam and listed as technically responsible) must provide documentation of hands-on, relevant HVAC trade experience. Public MSBOC guidance does not specify a minimum in years, but industry standards and municipal rules typically point to about four years. Experience can be verified using employment records, tax forms, affidavits, or references. There’s no explicit minimum age published by MSBOC, but you must be of legal capacity to enter contracts and act as an officer or manager for your business.
Business Registration and Status
Your business must be properly organized and registered with the Mississippi Secretary of State. This is mandatory for all applicants, including sole proprietors, LLCs, partnerships, or corporations. Provide documentation that your business is active and in good standing at the time of application. Failure to do so results in administrative delay or rejection.
Bond and Insurance
Some jurisdictions require a contractor surety bond (often $10,000 for residential HVAC, varying for commercial). At state level, MSBOC does not set this bond, but you should confirm with your city or county. Insurance is required for all companies: general liability coverage is recommended at $500,000 per occurrence for residential and $1,000,000 for commercial contractors. Provide a certificate of insurance with your application. If you employ five or more people, you must also furnish proof of workers’ compensation insurance to the board.
Financial Documentation (Commercial Licenses)
Commercial mechanical applicants must supply a reviewed or audited financial statement from a licensed CPA. Major classifications require at least $50,000 in net worth. Specialties require $20,000. Missing or insufficient financials will hold up your application. Make sure all statements are current and meet board documentation standards.
EPA Certification and Other Supporting Materials
If your work involves refrigerant handling or charging, provide a federal EPA Section 608 Universal certificate. Applications should also include a current qualifying party ID copy and proof of employment status if not clearly an owner or officer. Check the latest forms and document checklists at the official MSBOC forms page before mailing your file.
Exams
Everyone applying for an HVAC license in Mississippi must pass both a business/law and a trade exam. These exams are administered by PSI and you can schedule them after the board grants you eligibility. This is a crucial part of meeting the HVAC license requirements in Mississippi.
Mississippi Law & Business Management Exam
This exam covers contract law, business management, Mississippi statutes, lien laws, and general compliance for contractors. It features 50 open-book multiple-choice questions and allows 120 minutes. The passing score is 70%. Official exam details and scheduling information are on the PSI landing page.
Mississippi HVAC (Mechanical) Trade Exam
The HVAC trade test assesses technical competence on systems design, installation, service, ductwork, safety, code compliance, and refrigerant handling. It features 80 open-book questions and runs for 240 minutes. Allowed reference materials include the IMC 2021, ACCA Manuals J/D/N, Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, SMACNA, OSHA standards, and NFPA 58, among others. You can find a detailed content outline in the PSI candidate bulletin. As with the business exam, a 70% score is required to pass.
Exam Policies
Candidates have six months from board notification to pass both exams. You may retake them as many times as needed within this window, but must resubmit a new application and fees if you do not pass within six months. Both exams are open-book and permit use of only approved reference materials. PSI manages test security, attempts, and rescheduling options. Consult the PSI bulletin for complete instructions on the HVAC license requirements in Mississippi.
Fees
The fees for HVAC license requirements in Mississippi depend on license type and required board actions. See official information at the MSBOC fee schedule (as of Feb 2026). Major fees include:
Commercial license application: $400
Residential license application: $50
Commercial renewal: $400
Residential renewal: $100
Late renewal: $50 commercial / $10 residential
Reciprocity exam waiver: $50 per exam
Additional commercial classification: $100
Inactive/reactivate: $25 per status change
Duplicate license: $50
Returned check: $40
Public information: $0.50 per page + $25 admin fee
For any fee questions not listed, consult the full official schedule to ensure accuracy and compliance with HVAC license requirements in Mississippi.
Renewal and Continuing Education
Licenses issued under HVAC license requirements in Mississippi must be renewed every year. Both residential and commercial licenses follow an annual renewal cycle with firm deadlines and consequences for non-renewal.
Renewal Deadlines and Fees
Your renewal application must be submitted and paid before your license expiration date to avoid late fees. Late renewals incur a $10 surcharge for residential and $50 for commercial licenses. If you fail to renew in time, your license becomes inactive. You may reactivate it by paying a $25 reactivation fee in addition to overdue renewal sums. Mississippi law does not require continuing education hours for renewal as of 2026.
Lapsed Licenses and Reactivation
If your license is inactive for too long, you may need to file a new application and re-qualify. Review your renewal notice and maintain up-to-date mailing and business addresses with the board to ensure reliable communications. Always confirm your license status after renewal using the MSBOC License Lookup tool. Failure to maintain an active license may disqualify you from bidding or performing regulated HVAC work until resolved under HVAC license requirements in Mississippi.
Reciprocity
Mississippi recognizes license reciprocity with select states, but HVAC contractors must always submit a full MSBOC application for consideration. Currently, reciprocal trade exam waivers are offered for contractors holding equivalent credentials in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Even when exams are waived, you must still pay the $50 exam waiver fee and meet all other Mississippi requirements, including passing the Law & Business exam and submitting complete supporting documents.
Within Mississippi, municipalities and counties can grant local license reciprocity according to state law (Miss. Code §17-25-5). This allows a qualified contractor licensed in one city or county to receive local licensing elsewhere in the state without re-examination, subject to municipal acceptance. Always verify your target jurisdiction’s requirements before proceeding.
