StateLicensed

HVAC Technician License Requirements in Mississippi

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
—
Upfront cost
$290
Exam
Mississippi Law and Business Management Examination, Residential HVAC trade examination
Renewal cycle
Every 1 year
Issuing board
Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC)

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Meet the eligibility requirements set by the issuing board. No fingerprint-based or state-run criminal background check is described in MSBOC's application materials. The residential application's 'Background Information' section instead requires the qualifying party to self-disclose any prior license denial/suspension/revocation and any arrest, charge, or conviction related to bid rigging or home repair fraud. No explicit statutory minimum age was found in the reviewed application materials, so it is left null rather than assumed. [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete the required training. Mississippi licenses at the business/contractor level, not individual technicians directly — a sole proprietor can apply as the 'qualifying party' in their own name, or a company designates an owner/officer/managing employee to sit for the exams. There is no fixed classroom-hour or approved-program requirement; the applicant lists at least 3 completed jobs in the Residential HVAC classification and provides proof of employment, then the qualifying party must pass the required exams. A larger commercial 'Mechanical' classification also exists (Certificate of Responsibility) for bigger jobs, but Residential HVAC is the base tier most individual technicians/small contractors use. [1]

  3. 3

    Mississippi Law and Business Management Examination

    Pass the Mississippi Law and Business Management Examination (fee: $120). Computer-based, open book Required of all commercial and residential applicants regardless of trade classification. [2]

  4. 4

    Residential HVAC trade examination

    Pass the Residential HVAC trade examination (fee: $120). 80 questions, 70% required to pass, 4 hours, open book (candidates bring their own bound reference materials, e.g. International Mechanical Code, Manual J, ACCA references) Waivable via reciprocity (for a $50 waiver fee) if the applicant already holds a comparable license from a state MSBOC has a reciprocity agreement with; the Law and Business Management exam is never waived. [2]

  5. 5

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) with the $50 application fee. [3]

  6. 6

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) issues your Residential License — Residential HVAC classification (Mississippi State Board of Contractors) for Mississippi.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [3] $50
License fee [3] None specified
Renewal fee [3] $100
Mississippi Law and Business Management Examination [2] $120
Residential HVAC trade examination [2] $120
Additional trade classification (beyond the first) [3] $100
Late renewal fee (residential) [3] $10

The $50 residential application fee includes one trade classification; MSBOC charges no separate license-issuance fee beyond the application and exam fees. Exam fees ($120 per exam, paid to PSI) are separate from the state application fee.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 1 year. 2 continuing education hours required per cycle.

Residential licenses renew annually for $100 ($110 if renewed after expiration; a license expired more than 180 days requires a brand-new application). Each qualifying party must complete 2 hours of MSBOC-approved continuing education annually — this requirement does not apply to licenses issued before July 1, 2015 or while the license is on inactive status.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

MSBOC maintains trade-exam-waiver reciprocity agreements with several state contractor boards, including the Alabama Board of Heating and Air Conditioning, Louisiana Licensing Board for Contractors, Arkansas Contractor Licensing Board, and others listed on the residential application ($50 fee per exam waived; the Law and Business Management exam is never waived). Separately, under the Universal Recognition of Occupational Licenses Act (Miss. Code Ann. §73-50-2) Mississippi will recognize out-of-state licenses for individuals establishing Mississippi residency after July 1, 2021, and under the Military Family Freedom Act (Miss. Code Ann. §73-50-1) for active-duty military members, spouses, and dependents — both require a separate waiver form and Board determination, not automatic recognition.

13 state-approved training providers in Mississippi — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.

Cost calculator

  • $50
  • $120
  • $120
Total$290

Frequently asked questions

Does Mississippi license individual HVAC technicians?

Mississippi licenses at the business/contractor level through MSBOC. A sole proprietor can hold the license in their own name, or a company designates a qualifying party (owner, officer, or responsible managing employee) to sit for the exams. The Residential HVAC classification is the base tier; a commercial Mechanical classification exists for larger jobs.

What exams does a Residential HVAC applicant need to pass?

Two: the Mississippi Law and Business Management exam (required of all applicants) and the Residential HVAC trade exam (80 questions, 70% to pass, 4 hours, open book). Both are administered by PSI and cost $120 each.

What does it cost to apply?

The residential application fee is $50 (covers one trade classification; $100 for each additional classification), plus $120 per PSI exam. Annual renewal is $100 ($110 if renewed after expiration).

Is continuing education required to renew?

Yes — 2 hours annually for each qualifying party, unless the license was issued before July 1, 2015 or is on inactive status.

Does Mississippi accept an HVAC/mechanical license from another state?

MSBOC has reciprocity agreements with several state contractor boards (including Alabama's Board of Heating and Air Conditioning and Louisiana's Licensing Board for Contractors) that can waive the trade exam for a $50 fee — the Law and Business Management exam is still required. New Mississippi residents may also qualify for a waiver under the state's Universal Recognition of Occupational Licenses Act.

Sources

  1. [1] msboc.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/RESIDENTIAL-APPLICATION-updated-4-2026.pdf — accessed 2026-07-12
  2. [2] test-takers.psiexams.com/api/content/bulletin/149 — accessed 2026-07-12
  3. [3] msboc.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Fee-Schedule-Effective-1-1-16-accessible.pdf — accessed 2026-07-12
  4. [4] msboc.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Residential-License-Renewal-Form.pdf — accessed 2026-07-12