Construction / Low Voltage License / Mississippi
- Mississippi
- Low Voltage License
- Communication & Alarm
- Updated Oct 2026
How to Get Your Mississippi Low Voltage Electrical License
Mississippi splits low voltage work into two licenses: Communication Systems and Alarm Systems. Here’s what the Mississippi State Board of Contractors asks for and how the exams work.
Last updated October 27, 2026 from Mississippi State Board of Contractors requirements
Application fee
$400
Includes one classification; plus $240 for two PSI exams
Exam time
4 hrs
Law & Business + Alarm Systems; Communication Systems time not stated
Time to get license
Varies
No experience minimum stated in our source
Continuing ed
Not required
No CE currently required to renew
Overview
Do you need a Mississippi low voltage license?
To work as a low voltage contractor in Mississippi, you hold a license from the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC). Which one depends on the work: communication and low voltage systems, or alarm systems.
License required when
- You work on low voltage electrical systems (Communication Systems license)
- You work on fire, heat or intrusion detection and notification systems (Alarm Systems license)
- You contract as a business that needs a licensed qualifying party
Common exceptions
- Alarm work isn’t covered by the Communication Systems license; it needs the Alarm Systems license
- Our source doesn’t list exemptions, so check with MSBOC before you bid unlicensed work
Penalties for unlicensed work
Our source doesn’t list specific penalty amounts. MSBOC licenses contractors in Mississippi and can take action against anyone contracting without the required license.
Your fast-track Mississippi low voltage license checklist
The Mississippi application, one page
- Three reference letters, one from your bank
- CPA-reviewed or audited financial statement (last 12 months)
- Liability certificate: $300K/$600K, MSBOC as holder
- Workers’ comp certificate if 5+ employees
- Secretary of State good standing (corporations, LLCs, LLPs)
- Passing scores on Law & Business and your trade exam
Types
Mississippi low voltage license types and classifications
Pick the license that matches your work. Both require the Law and Business Management exam plus a trade exam.
COMM
Low voltage
Communication Systems & Low Voltage
Low voltage electrical systems, excluding alarms.
Exam
Law & Business + Communication Systems
Limit
Not stated
ALARM
Fire & security
Alarm Systems & Equipment
Fire, heat and intrusion detection and notification systems.
Exam
Law & Business + Alarm Systems
Limit
Not stated
Requirements
Mississippi low voltage license requirements, class by class
The paperwork is the same for both licenses. What changes is the trade exam.
| Requirement | Communication Systems | Alarm Systems |
|---|---|---|
| Exams | Law & Business + Communication Systems | Law & Business + Alarm Systems |
| References | 3 letters, 1 from your bank | 3 letters, 1 from your bank |
| Financial statement | CPA-reviewed or audited, within 12 months | CPA-reviewed or audited, within 12 months |
| General liability | $300,000 per occurrence / $600,000 aggregate | $300,000 per occurrence / $600,000 aggregate |
| Workers’ comp | If 5 or more employees | If 5 or more employees |
| Qualifying party | Proof of employment | Proof of employment |
| Good standing | Secretary of State certificate (corporations, LLCs, LLPs) | Secretary of State certificate (corporations, LLCs, LLPs) |
| Experience | Not stated | Not stated |
Steps
How to get your Mississippi low voltage license, step by step
- Choose your licenseBefore you start
Communication Systems covers low voltage work except alarms. Alarm Systems covers fire, heat and intrusion detection and notification. - Gather your documentsBefore you apply
Three reference letters (one from your bank), a CPA-reviewed or audited financial statement from the last 12 months, and proof of employment for each qualifying party. - Get your insurance in placeBefore you apply
General liability of $300,000 per occurrence and $600,000 aggregate, with MSBOC listed as certificate holder. Add workers’ comp if you have 5 or more employees. - Get approved and book with PSIPre-approval
Contact PSI at 855-557-0619. You need pre-approval from the testing agency before you schedule. - Pass both examsExam day
Law and Business Management (35 of 50 to pass) plus your trade exam. The exams are open book. - Board approvalAfter you pass
PSI notifies MSBOC of your results, the Board processes your application, and you’re notified when your license is active.
Exam
What to expect on the Mississippi low voltage exam
Everyone takes the Law and Business Management exam plus the trade exam for their license. The exams are open book, and your references can be tabbed and highlighted.
Format
Open book
Questions
50 + 60 or 50
Passing score
70% (35 of 50 on Law & Business)
Exam vendor
PSI
Scoring & content
- Law and Business Management: 50 questions, 120 minutes, 35 correct to pass
- Alarm Systems: 60 questions, 120 minutes, 70% to pass
- Communication Systems: 50 questions; time and passing score not stated in our source
- Alarm topics: general electrical and low voltage, fire detection, intrusion detection
- Communication topics: sound and communication, grounding and bonding, power supplies, calculations
Retake policy
- Retest as many times as you need within 6 months of eligibility
- Each attempt costs $120 per exam portion, the same as the first try
- If you don’t pass within 6 months, you reapply with the Board
- Call PSI at 855-557-0619 with scheduling questions
Exam references · Open book
Mississippi’s exams are open book. You can tab and highlight the approved references and use them during the test, but online course material isn’t allowed in the room. The list covers the Alarm Systems and Equipment exam, the Communication Systems exam and the Business & Law exam.
| Book | Edition | Use |
|---|---|---|
| NFPA 70: National Electrical Code (NEC) — Alarm Systems and Communication Systems exams | 2020 | Allowed in exam |
| NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code — Alarm Systems exam | 2019 | Allowed in exam |
| Fire Alarm Signaling Systems Handbook — Alarm Systems exam | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
| Low Voltage Wiring: Security/Fire Alarm Systems — Alarm Systems exam | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
| Understanding and Servicing Alarm Systems — Alarm Systems exam | 3rd edition | Allowed in exam |
| NTC Blue Book: Low Voltage Systems — Alarm Systems exam | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
| OSHA 29 CFR 1926: Construction Industry Regulations — Communication Systems exam | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
| Telecommunications Wiring — Communication Systems exam | 3rd edition | Allowed in exam |
| Live Sound Reinforcement — Communication Systems exam | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
| Lineman’s and Cableman’s Handbook — Communication Systems exam | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
| NASCLA Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management (Mississippi edition) — Business & Law exam | 6th edition | Allowed in exam |
Low Voltage Wiring: Security/Fire Alarm Systems is out of print, so you may need a used copy.
Prep
Best Mississippi low voltage exam prep, compared
We haven’t compared prep courses for this exam yet.
Costs
How much does a Mississippi low voltage license cost?
| Item | Type | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial application fee (one classification) | Fixed | $400 |
| Each additional classification (e.g. both Communication and Alarm) | Fixed | $100 |
| PSI exams: Law & Business + trade ($120 each) | Fixed | $240 |
| CPA-reviewed or audited financial statement | Variable | Varies |
| General liability and workers’ comp | Variable | Varies |
| Reference books for the open-book exams | Variable | Varies |
| State fees and exams | One classification; excludes insurance, financial statement and books | $640 |
Fees from the MSBOC fee schedule, the MSBOC commercial application and the PSI Mississippi contractor candidate bulletin, checked October 2026.
Reciprocity
Does Mississippi accept out-of-state low voltage licenses?
Mississippi doesn’t have reciprocity agreements for this license type.
No reciprocity agreements
Out-of-state contractors apply as new applicants and pass both Mississippi exams.
Local
Do Mississippi cities and counties have their own low voltage licensing rules?
Your low voltage license comes from the state, but individual jobs still go through local permit offices.
State handles
- Communication Systems and Alarm Systems licenses
- Exam approval, with testing through PSI
- Insurance and financial requirements
- Renewals
City & county handle
- Local permits and inspections
- Local business licenses
Governance
Who regulates low voltage contractors in Mississippi
Oversight responsibilities
- Issues Communication Systems and Alarm Systems licenses
- Reviews applications, financials and insurance
- Activates licenses after PSI reports passing scores
- Licenses contractors statewide
Maintenance
How to renew your Mississippi low voltage license and keep it active
No continuing education is currently required to renew this license. Keep your insurance current, since MSBOC is listed as certificate holder and is notified if coverage is canceled.
Renewal cycle
Annual
CE hours
None required
Renewal fee
$400
Late penalty
$50
FAQ
Mississippi low voltage license FAQs
Do I need a license for low voltage work in Mississippi?
Yes. The Mississippi State Board of Contractors issues a Communication Systems license for low voltage work and a separate Alarm Systems license for fire and intrusion systems.
Which exams do I take?
The Law and Business Management exam plus the trade exam for your license, either Communication Systems or Alarm Systems. You schedule through PSI.
What score do I need on the Law and Business exam?
35 correct out of 50 questions, in 120 minutes. It’s open book.
How much insurance do I need?
General liability of $300,000 per occurrence and $600,000 aggregate, with MSBOC listed as certificate holder. Workers’ comp is required if you have 5 or more employees.
Is continuing education required?
No. Mississippi doesn’t currently require CE to renew this license.
Does Mississippi have reciprocity for low voltage licenses?
No. There are no reciprocity agreements for this license type, so out-of-state contractors apply as new applicants.
Sources
Official sources for the Mississippi low voltage license
- Mississippi State Board of Contractors
- PSI, Mississippi exam scheduling
- Mississippi State Board of Contractors, Fee Schedule (PDF)
- Mississippi State Board of Contractors, Commercial Application (PDF)
- PSI, Mississippi Contractor Examinations Candidate Information Bulletin (PDF)
Last updated October 27, 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Exam Insiders is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the Mississippi State Board of Contractors.