Mississippi

Contractor License Bond in Mississippi

Requirements, filing process, and what you should expect to pay, without the broker pitch.

What this bond requires in Mississippi

Under Miss. Code Ann. §§ 31-3-1 to 31-3-23, contractors and subcontractors must hold a MSBOC certificate of responsibility for public or private commercial projects exceeding $50,000. The MSBOC FAQ confirms the license itself requires general liability insurance of $300,000 per occurrence / $600,000 aggregate with MSBOC named on the policy, not a license/permit bond. Separately, the Mississippi Department of Revenue requires contractors to bond or prepay sales/use tax on contracts exceeding $75,000 (Miss. Code Ann. § 27-65-21), and public-works projects require statutory performance and payment bonds under Miss. Code Ann. § 31-5-51.

Who requires it

The contractor license bond is required by the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) under Miss. Code Ann. §§ 31-3-1 through 31-3-23 (Chapter 527, General Laws of Mississippi); Miss. Admin. Code Title 30, Part 9.

How to file in Mississippi

Apply directly to MSBOC for a Certificate of Responsibility: submit the commercial license application, financial statement showing required net worth, certificate of general liability insurance ($300K/$600K) listing MSBOC, Mississippi sales/use tax number, and qualifying-party documentation. After Board approval, the qualifying party must pass the trade and Mississippi business/law exams. The Certificate of Responsibility is renewed annually.

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FAQ

Common questions

Is a contractor license bond required in Mississippi?

The Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) does not require a state license/permit surety bond for the commercial certificate of responsibility itself; instead, applicants must demonstrate general liability insurance ($300,000/$600,000) and meet net-worth requirements. Project-specific performance, payment, and DOR tax bonds apply separately.

How much is the bond in Mississippi?

Mississippi does not publish a single flat amount. See the state-specific notes for how it is determined.

Who requires the bond?

The bond is required by the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC).

How is the bond filed?

Apply directly to MSBOC for a Certificate of Responsibility: submit the commercial license application, financial statement showing required net worth, certificate of general liability insurance ($300K/$600K) listing MSBOC, Mississippi sales/use tax number, and qualifying-party documentation. After Board approval, the qualifying party must pass the trade and Mississippi business/law exams. The Certificate of Responsibility is renewed annually.

What does the bond cover?

Surety bonds protect the obligee, not the principal. If you fail to meet the obligation the bond guarantees, the surety pays the claim and recovers from you.

Is a surety bond the same as insurance?

No. Insurance protects you. A surety bond protects whoever required the bond. You repay the surety for any claim they pay.

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