Mississippi requires most contractors to hold a state license issued by the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) before performing construction work in the state. General contractors, residential builders, roofers, and specialty subcontractors - including electrical, plumbing, and mechanical contractors - are all licensed through the Mississippi Contractors License Board. Still, none of these Mississippi contractor license applications require a surety bond.
Bonds do come into play for Mississippi contractors in several situations: certain local jurisdictions require a contractor bond as a condition of obtaining local permits or a privilege license; contractors performing qualifying non-residential work must file a tax bond with the Mississippi Department of Revenue; and contractors who install or transport manufactured homes must post a bond with the Mississippi State Fire Marshal's Office.
Mississippi Contractor License Bond Requirements
City and Municipality Contractor Bonds
Some Mississippi cities and counties require contractors to post a bond as a condition of obtaining a local contractor license or privilege license. Bond amounts and obligees vary by jurisdiction. Always confirm current local bonding requirements directly with the relevant city or county licensing department before applying for a local license.
Mississippi Department of Revenue Contractor Tax Bonds
Contractors performing qualifying non-residential construction work must file a bond with the Mississippi Department of Revenue guaranteeing payment of state sales, use, income, franchise, and withholding taxes on covered contracts. The requirement applies to the prime contractor and is triggered based on where the contracting business is located:
- Contractors with a Mississippi business location: required on non-residential construction contracts exceeding $75,000
- Out-of-state contractors: required on all construction contracts exceeding $10,000
Two bond forms satisfy the requirement. A Contractor's Job Bond (Form 72-441) is executed for each individual qualifying contract. A Contractor's Blanket Bond (Form 72-442) covers all qualifying contracts outstanding at any one time and must be set at a minimum of 4% of the aggregate value of all covered contracts. Both forms are available from the Mississippi Department of Revenue.
These are tax compliance bonds - not contractor license bonds - and are separate from any local contractor bond required on the same project.
Manufactured Home Installer and Transporter Bond
Contractors who install or transport manufactured homes in Mississippi must hold a license from the State Fire Marshal's Office, a division of the Mississippi Insurance Department.
A $25,000 surety bond payable to the State of Mississippi is required as part of the installer/transporter license application, along with proof of commercial general liability insurance of at least $100,000 and a cargo insurance policy covering the transport of factory-built homes. The bond and insurance must remain active throughout the full licensure period.
How Much Does the Contractor Bond Cost in Mississippi?
Your bond premium is a percentage of the required bond amount, set by the surety based primarily on your personal credit score. For most local contractor bonds in Mississippi - where amounts range from $2,000 to $25,000 - rates start at 1% of the bond amount, with a $100 minimum.
A $5,000 city bond starts at $100 per year; the $25,000 manufactured home installer bond starts at $250. DOR tax bonds are priced differently, based on contract value and financial strength rather than a flat rate.
| Bond Type | Bond Amount | Bond Cost |
|---|---|---|
| State Fire Marshal's Office Bonds | ||
| Manufactured Home Installer or Transporter Bond | $25,000 | Starts at $250 |
| Department of Revenue Tax Bonds | ||
| Contractor's Job Bond (Form 72-441) | Varies by contract | Starts at $100 |
| Contractor's Blanket Bond (Form 72-442) | Varies by contract | Starts at $100 |
| City Contractor License Bonds | ||
| City of Brandon Contractor Bond | $10,000 | Starts at $100 |
| City of Byram Contractor Bond | $5,000 | Starts at $100 |
| City of Clinton Contractor Bond | $5,000 | Starts at $100 |
| City of Greenwood Contractor Bond | $5,000 | Starts at $100 |
| City of Horn Lake Contractor Bond | $5,000 | Starts at $100 |
| City of Madison Contractor Bond | $5,000 | Starts at $100 |
| City of Ridgeland Contractor Bond | $5,000 | Starts at $100 |
| City of Southaven Contractor Bond | $10,000 | Starts at $100 |
| County Contractor License Bonds | ||
| DeSoto County Building Contractor Bond | $10,000 | Starts at $100 |
| Jackson County Contractor Bond | $2,000 | Starts at $100 |
| Rankin County Contractor Bond | $5,000 | Starts at $100 |
Note: The city and county bonds listed above reflect confirmed requirements at the time of publication and are not a complete list - other Mississippi jurisdictions may require a contractor bond not shown here.
Use our free bond cost calculator below for a precise estimate based on your credit score:
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Get a free exact quote Get another estimateCredit score is the primary factor, but sureties also consider:
- Business financial statements (revenue, cash flow, financial health)
- Available liquid assets and reserves
- Years of experience in the trade
- How long the business has been operating
Stronger financials and a longer operating history can help offset a lower credit score. Bryant Surety Bonds works with 20+ carriers to find the most competitive rate for your profile.
Can I Get Bonded with Bad Credit in Mississippi?
Mississippi contractor bonds are available to applicants at every credit level. Bryant Surety Bonds uses a soft credit pull to check eligibility - no impact on your score - and approves the vast majority of applicants regardless of credit history.
A lower score means a higher premium, typically up to 15% of the bond amount, but it does not disqualify you from coverage. Learn more through our Bad Credit Surety Bond Program.
How to Get Your Contractor License Bond in Mississippi
- Apply online. Complete our short application form below.
- Receive your quote. Your quote arrives by email, typically within hours.
- Get bonded. Pay online and receive your bond certificate by email immediately.
The entire process can often be completed in a single day, keeping your license or permit application on track without delays. If your bond is not accepted by the obligee for any reason, we offer a 100% money-back guarantee.
Bryant Surety Bonds is licensed to issue surety bonds in Mississippi under license number 15036126, listed on our agency licenses page.
Mississippi Contract Bonds
Mississippi public construction projects require performance bonds, payment bonds, and bid bonds - these are contract bonds tied to a specific project and awarded separately from any license or permit bond.
A contractor license bond, by contrast, is posted once with a licensing authority as a condition of holding a license, independent of any individual contract. The two are different products serving different purposes. Bryant Surety Bonds issues both; reach out if you need a bond for a specific Mississippi public project.
How to Get a Contractor License in Mississippi
The Mississippi State Board of Contractors oversees licensing for both commercial and residential contractors statewide, with licensing requirements that differ by project type and value threshold.
- Determine your Mississippi contractor license classification - commercial Certificate of Responsibility for general contractors, residential contractor license for builders, or specialty sub-classification for electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and roofing contractors
- Register your business entity with the Mississippi Secretary of State
- Prepare a CPA-reviewed or audited financial statement meeting MSBOC net worth requirements
- Pass the PSI Mississippi Business and Law Management exam
- Pass the applicable PSI trade examination for your classification
- Obtain workers' compensation coverage if you have five or more employees
- Submit your completed MSBOC application by mail with the applicable fee and required documentation
Mississippi Contractor License Bond Renewal
Renewal schedules vary by bond type. Local city and county contractor bonds renew annually, while DOR tax bonds and manufactured home installer bonds renew with the underlying license or contract period.
Bryant Surety Bonds sends renewal reminders 1-2 months before any active bond expires, so your coverage stays current without you having to track it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Mississippi contractor tax bond?
A Mississippi contractor tax bond is a surety bond filed with the Mississippi Department of Revenue guaranteeing that a contractor will pay all state taxes owed on a qualifying construction contract - including sales, use, income, franchise, and withholding taxes.
It is a tax compliance requirement, not a contractor license bond. Two forms are available: a Contractor's Job Bond (Form 72-441), filed for each individual qualifying contract, and a Contractor's Blanket Bond (Form 72-442), which covers all qualifying contracts outstanding at one time at a minimum of 4% of their aggregate value. The requirement applies to prime contractors on non-residential contracts exceeding $75,000 for Mississippi-based contractors, and on all contracts exceeding $10,000 for out-of-state contractors.
Do out-of-state contractors need a bond in Mississippi?
It depends on the type of work. For DOR tax bonds, out-of-state contractors face a lower threshold: a Contractor's Job Bond or Blanket Bond is required on any construction contract exceeding $10,000, compared to $75,000 for Mississippi-based contractors.
Out-of-state contractors working in cities or counties that require a local contractor bond must also post that bond before obtaining a local license, regardless of where the business is located. The MSBOC state license itself does not require a surety bond for either in-state or out-of-state applicants, though out-of-state contractors may be eligible to apply for reciprocity if they hold a qualifying license from another state.
What bonds are required for Mississippi public construction projects?
Public construction contracts in Mississippi valued at more than $25,000 require both a performance bond and a payment bond, each equal to 100% of the contract price. Bidders on public projects are also typically required to submit a bid bond of 5% of the total bid amount. These are contract bonds tied to a specific project and are separate from any contractor license bond.
Do I need a Mississippi contractor license for residential work?
Yes, for projects above the threshold. A residential contractor license is required for new residential construction valued at $50,000 or more, and for residential remodeling or roofing valued at more than $10,000. Projects below these thresholds do not require an MSBOC license, but subcontractors performing life safety trades (electrical, plumbing, HVAC) must hold the applicable trade licenses issued under the MSBOC's commercial classification system.
What are Mississippi's electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and roofing license requirements?
Mississippi does not have separate state licensing boards for electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or roofing contractors. These trades are licensed through specialty sub-classifications of the MSBOC commercial contractor license. Electrical contractors in Mississippi apply for an electrical sub-classification; plumbing contractors apply under a plumbing sub-classification; mechanical contractors apply for an HVAC or mechanical sub-classification; and roofing contractors apply for either the commercial Certificate of Responsibility or the residential contractor classification, depending on the scope and value of their work.
All sub-classifications carry the same financial statement and examination requirements as the primary commercial license, scaled to the applicable trade. Full Mississippi contractor license requirements for each specialty sub-classification are listed on the MSBOC's classifications page.
Can I get bonded in Mississippi with bad credit?
Yes. Most Mississippi contractor bonds are available regardless of credit history. A lower credit score means a higher premium, typically between 5% and 15% of the bond amount for license bonds, with performance and payment bonds underwritten more heavily on financial statements, but coverage remains available. Learn more through our Bad Credit Surety Bond Program.
Does applying for a Mississippi contractor bond affect my credit score?
No. Bryant Surety Bonds uses a soft credit pull for all bond applications. Soft pulls do not appear on your credit report and have no impact on your score, regardless of the bond type or amount.
