Licensed Solar Contractor in Mississippi: How to Verify Before You Hire

April 8, 2026 — 6 min read

Does Mississippi Require a License for Solar Installation?

Yes, Mississippi requires a contractor license from the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) for solar projects with a total value exceeding $50,000. Electrical work on any solar installation, regardless of project value, requires a separate license from the Mississippi State Board of Electrical Contractors. Both licenses are verifiable online.

Mississippi's dual-board licensing structure reflects the two distinct types of work involved in solar installation: general contracting for the racking, mounting, and structural aspects, and licensed electrical work for wiring, inverters, and grid interconnection. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, Mississippi's solar market has grown steadily, with residential installations increasing as Entergy Mississippi and Mississippi Power have expanded their interconnection programs.

The $50,000 threshold for MSBOC licensing is important to understand: it applies to the total project cost, not just labor. For most residential solar installations, which typically range from $15,000 to $45,000, the MSBOC general contractor license may not be required — but the electrical license from the Mississippi State Board of Electrical Contractors always is.

What Is the Mississippi State Board of Contractors License?

The Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) licenses general contractors performing construction projects with a total cost exceeding $50,000 in Mississippi. Solar contractors whose project values cross this threshold must hold a valid MSBOC license, which can be verified at msboc.us. The MSBOC maintains a public license lookup by contractor name or license number.

MSBOC contractor licenses are classified by the type and value of work the contractor is authorized to perform. For solar installations, the relevant classification is typically Residential or Commercial Building Construction, depending on the installation type. Contractors licensed for one classification may not perform work in another, so confirming the correct license category matters.

To obtain an MSBOC license, contractors must demonstrate financial responsibility, pass a licensing examination, maintain a surety bond, and carry general liability insurance. The MSBOC also has the authority to investigate complaints and take disciplinary action against licensed contractors, including license suspension or revocation. Checking for any disciplinary history when verifying at msboc.us is worthwhile.

Who Issues Electrical Licenses for Solar Work in Mississippi?

The Mississippi State Board of Electrical Contractors issues electrical licenses for all licensed electrical work in Mississippi, including solar installations of any size. This is the credential you should verify for the electrician performing wiring, inverter connections, and grid interconnection on your solar project. The board maintains license records and complaint information separate from the MSBOC.

Mississippi electrical contractor license classifications relevant to solar work include:

• Electrical Contractor: The primary license for companies performing electrical contracting work. An electrical contractor license authorizes a business to enter electrical contracts, pull permits, and supervise journeyman electricians.
• Journeyman Electrician: Licensed to perform hands-on electrical work under the supervision and permit authority of a licensed electrical contractor.
• Apprentice Electrician: May work only under the direct supervision of a journeyman or electrical contractor and is not authorized to work independently.

Solar companies frequently subcontract the electrical work to a separate licensed electrical contractor. If this is the case, ask for the subcontractor's name and license number and verify both the general contractor's MSBOC license and the electrical subcontractor's board license before signing any agreement.

How Do You Verify a Solar Contractor's Credentials in Mississippi?

Verifying a Mississippi solar contractor requires checking two separate state licensing systems: the MSBOC at msboc.us for the general contractor license (if the project exceeds $50,000) and the Mississippi State Board of Electrical Contractors for the electrical license. Both checks are available online and take only a few minutes.

Steps to verify:

• Ask the contractor for their MSBOC license number (if applicable for projects over $50,000) and the name and license number of the electrical contractor responsible for the electrical work.
• Visit msboc.us and search the license database by contractor name or license number to confirm the general contractor license is active and in good standing.
• Contact the Mississippi State Board of Electrical Contractors to verify the electrical license is active and check for any disciplinary history.
• Request certificates of general liability and workers' compensation insurance before signing any contract.
• Confirm in writing that all required permits will be obtained before work begins.

The MSBOC requires licensed contractors to display their license number on all contracts, advertisements, and bid proposals. If a contractor's quote does not include their license number, ask for it directly before proceeding.

What Are the Bond and Insurance Requirements in Mississippi?

MSBOC-licensed contractors in Mississippi must maintain a surety bond as a condition of their license. Bond amounts vary by contractor classification and license tier. In addition to the bond, contractors must carry general liability insurance, and the amounts are verified at the time of license renewal.

For a residential solar installation, request proof of:

• A current surety bond certificate showing the bond is active and covers the current license period.
• General liability insurance of at least $500,000 per occurrence, with you named as an additional insured.
• Workers' compensation insurance. Mississippi law requires workers' compensation for employers with five or more employees; confirm the contractor meets this threshold and carries coverage if applicable.

Mississippi's bond requirement provides a layer of consumer protection that does not exist in states that only require insurance. If a contractor fails to complete the project or causes damage, the surety bond provides a mechanism for recovery beyond what insurance alone offers.

What Are the Risks of Unlicensed Solar Work in Mississippi?

Hiring an unlicensed contractor for a solar installation in Mississippi carries legal, financial, and safety consequences. Under Mississippi law, contractors who perform work requiring an MSBOC license without holding one are subject to civil penalties. Homeowners who knowingly hire unlicensed contractors for work above the $50,000 threshold may lose certain legal protections in contract disputes.

Electrical work performed without a license from the Mississippi State Board of Electrical Contractors is a code violation regardless of project size. Unlicensed electrical work cannot be permitted through local building departments, and unpermitted solar installations cannot qualify for utility interconnection through Entergy Mississippi or Mississippi Power.

Property insurance is another significant concern. If an unlicensed installation causes a fire or electrical fault, your homeowner's insurer may deny the claim on the grounds that the work was performed without a required license or permit. Mississippi experiences significant severe weather, including hurricanes and tornadoes, and an improperly installed solar system can become a projectile or structural hazard in high-wind events.

Mississippi's two-board licensing system means two checks — but both are worth doing. CheckLicensed.com makes it fast and affordable to verify contractor credentials for $0.99, giving you confidence that your solar installer is properly licensed by both the Mississippi State Board of Contractors and the Mississippi State Board of Electrical Contractors before a single panel goes on your roof.