How to Become an Electrician in Mississippi
Mississippi doesn't issue state journeyman or master licenses — cities and counties do (Jackson, Hattiesburg, Gulfport, Biloxi, Tupelo, Meridian, and others). The state's role is the State Board of Contractors, which licenses electrical businesses. And note: Mississippi apprenticeships commonly run five years.
Licensing in Mississippi at a glance
- How it's licensed
- Local / municipal — no statewide journeyman license (state licenses contractors)
Where journeymen are licensed — Your city or county. Most large and mid-sized Mississippi cities run their own programs, so check the jurisdiction where you'll work.
Apprenticeship — Typically about five years of hands-on training (commercial and residential) plus roughly 1,000 classroom hours. Local boards want proof you finished it when you apply for a journeyman license.
State Electrical Contractor (business) — Through the Mississippi State Board of Contractors: a state license is required for residential electrical work of any amount, and for commercial/industrial jobs of $50,000 or more (or $5,000+ for hazardous/specialty work).
Local journeyman, state contractor
Mississippi splits it the way several Southern states do. Your journeyman license comes from your city or county — Jackson, Hattiesburg, Gulfport, Biloxi, Tupelo, Meridian, and others each run their own program — so the first step is always to check where you'll work. The state's role, through the State Board of Contractors, is licensing the business that contracts the work.
A longer apprenticeship
One Mississippi wrinkle: apprenticeships here commonly run five years (rather than four), combining commercial and residential training with about 1,000 classroom hours. Your local board will look for proof you completed it when you apply for your journeyman license.
When the state license kicks in
The State Board of Contractors license is required for any residential electrical work as a contractor, and for commercial or industrial jobs at $50,000 and up (lower for hazardous or specialty work). So even in a locally-licensed state, the business side is regulated statewide.
Your next step
Pick where you'll work and contact that city or county for its journeyman requirements. Get hired to start your apprenticeship hours, and if you'll contract, look into the State Board of Contractors license. The national How to Become an Electrician guide covers the trade overall.
⚠️ Always verify current requirements
Licensing rules change and often vary by city or county. Before you count on anything here, confirm the current requirements directly with Local municipalities; Mississippi State Board of Contractors (business licensing).