How to Search Mississippi Professional Licenses (Start Here)

Professional and occupational licenses in Mississippi are issued by state licensing boards — each profession has its own board with its own search tool. There is no single database of all licenses in Mississippi.

What this page covers: Mississippi professional license verification databases — medical, legal, real estate, contractor, financial, and other regulated professions. What it does not cover: Business entity filings (those are with the Secretary of State) or association memberships (those are private organizations).

Where to start: Identify the profession, then go to the specific licensing board for Mississippi. For attorneys, go to the state bar. For doctors, the medical board. For contractors, the contractor licensing authority. The databases below are organized by profession.

Common mistake: A professional license and a business registration are different. A license authorizes a person to practice a profession. A business registration authorizes a company to operate. They are filed with different agencies.

Central licensing portal
Verify or Renew - Mississippi State Department of Health
Medical board (MD)
Home | Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure
Nursing board
License Verification | Mississippi Board of Nursing
Insurance licensing
Producer\Individual Licensing - Official Website of the Mississippi Insurance Department
Bar / attorney
State of Mississippi Judiciary - Bar roll
Contractor licensing
Mississippi requires state licensing
Population
2,943,045
Households
1,107,300
Median Income
$54,915
Median Home Value
$145,600
SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: Mississippi professional & occupational licenses URL verified against the official state publisher at www.sos.ms.gov on the review date. 4 primary .gov sources cited below.

Mississippi Professional & Occupational Licenses — Key Facts (2026)

Doctors, lawyers, contractors, nurses, real estate agents in Mississippi — who's licensed and how to verify in 2026.
State-only
License jurisdiction
Not federal
~22%
U.S. workforce licensed
Up from 5% in 1950
1,100+
Licensed occupations
NCSL national database
Free
Official verification
Never pay 3rd parties
Compacts
Cross-state reciprocity
Nursing/medical/PT
Active license ≠ clean record (verify both)
Active license
100%
Continuing-ed current
70%
No disciplinary actions
30%
No complaint history
20%
Criminal background
10%
Unit: % verified by 'active license' alone.

What Changed in 2026 — Mississippi Professional & Occupational Licenses

2026
Mississippi professional & occupational licenses portal active
The official Mississippi portal at www.sos.ms.gov continues to serve as the canonical entry point for professional & occupational licenses in 2026.
2026
Latest federal complement for professional & occupational licenses
The NCSL National Occupational Licensing Database at www.ncsl.org provides federal-level context that complements Mississippi state records.
2026
Mississippi access in 2026
For 2026, Mississippi continues to publish professional & occupational licenses information through state-authorized portals; check www.sos.ms.gov for current fees and processing times.
2026
Federal records framework refresh
Federal record types (federal liens, federal land, federal vital statistics) continue to live OUTSIDE Mississippi's state portal — see the Primary Sources below for additional official portals.

The 4-Step Mississippi License Verification

1
Step 1 — Identify the profession
Each occupation has its own Mississippi board (medical, bar, contractor, real-estate, cosmetology, etc.).
2
Step 2 — Confirm the state
Licenses are state-issued. A Mississippi license is NOT automatically valid in other states (unless via compact).
3
Step 3 — Use the official board lookup
Every Mississippi board has a free verification tool. Never pay a third party for verification.
4
Step 4 — Check disciplinary history
Active license ≠ clean record. Always check the Mississippi board's disciplinary actions search.

Five Things People Get Wrong About Mississippi Professional & Occupational Licenses

MYTH"A web printout is official verification."
FACTEmployers and other boards often require primary-source verification — the board's own certified letter or direct feed — not a screenshot.
MYTH"Inactive means revoked."
FACTInactive usually means not currently practicing — retired, lapsed, or paused. Revoked is a discipline status, and boards label the difference.
MYTH"A license only works in the state that issued it."
FACTCompacts changed that: nursing (NLC), medicine (IMLC), and others let one license or an expedited pathway cover many states. Check the compact map.
MYTH"License numbers are private."
FACTThey're the opposite — public identifiers designed for verification. A professional refusing to give one is the red flag.
MYTH"You need a paid site to verify a license."
FACTEvery licensing board runs a free lookup — that's the primary source. Paid sites resell the same data, sometimes stale.

Primary Sources and Official Record Portals

Related Licenses Resources

Related Public Records
National view of this topic: All states: Licenses
Sample Mississippi counties: Adams · Alcorn · Amite · Attala · Benton

Licenses Databases

46 official Mississippi licenses sources.

Court Records Criminal Records Wants & Warrants Vital Records Voter Records Licenses Recorded Documents Property Records

Licenses

MS | ASC gov
Official Free
Licensing activity for Mississippi is tracked through this source. It sits outside government; official offices remain the record of authority.
🌐 asc.gov
State of Mississippi Judiciary
Official Free
Welcome to the website of the Mississippi Judiciary. This site is designed to provide public access to information about the state court system. Here you will find dockets, briefs, orders and opinions of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. Appellate opinions dating back to 1996 are available ...
🌐 courts.ms.gov
The Mississippi Bar :: For the Public
Official Free
Permit and license lookups for Mississippi run through here. Confirm details with the official license and permit office before relying on them.
🌐 msbar.org
Food Safety, Restaurants and Caterers - Mississippi State Department of Health
Official Free
Find a licensed caterer · Find restaurant complaints To find complaints made to us, search for a restaurant, then select its ID · Make a food safety complaint · Mississippi Food Code and food facility permits · Find this page at https://msdh.ms.gov/page/43,0,377.html ·
🌐 msdh.ms.gov
Burial Associations Guide - Official Website of the Mississippi Insurance Department
Official Free
License and permit records for Mississippi — issued credentials and active-status checks. Confirm details with the official license and permit office before relying on them.
🌐 mid.ms.gov
Licensing & Exams | Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy
Official Free
Education - Effective February 1, 1995, a first-time examination candidate must have completed at least 150 semester hours of college education including a baccalaureate or higher degree conferred by a regionally accredited four-year college or university or the equivalent acceptable to the Board, with an accounting concentration determined by Board rule to be appropriate. Candidates who first sat before February 1, 1995, must have met the requirements in effect at that time. NOTE: Mississippi law (Code Section 73-33-5) was revised effective July 1, 2016, to allow examination candidates to…
🌐 msbpa.ms.gov
Fund-Raiser Instructions - Mississippi Secretary of State
Official Free
Mississippi runs this system centrally, so Mississippi records appear alongside the rest of the state. Confirm details with the official license and permit office before relying on them.
🌐 charities.sos.ms.gov
Consumer Finance - Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance
Official Free
These industries include Money Transmitter, Small Loan, Check Cashers, Pawnbroker, Title Pledge, Consumer Loan Broker, Insurance Premium Finance, Motor Vehicle Sales Finance, Credit Availability and Debt Management Service Providers. The Division is responsible for the evaluation of applications for licensure, the issuance and maintenance of licenses for those companies, and the periodic examination of licensed entities to ensure compliance with Mississippi laws.
🌐 dbcf.ms.gov
Child Care Provider Search
Official Free
Official professional licenses source (www.msdh.provider.webapps.ms.gov).
🌐 msdh.provider.webapps.ms.gov
Contractors - MSBOC
Official Free
Licensing activity for Mississippi is tracked through this source. It is independently run, so verify anything critical against the official license and permit office.
🌐 msboc.us
File A Complaint - MSBOC
Official Free
How To File A Complaint Against A Contractor The purpose of the Mississippi State Board of Contractors is to license and regulate contractors for the protection of the public. The Board has jurisdiction over both licensed and unlicensed contractors. Complaints within the Board's jurisdiction ...
🌐 msboc.us
MS State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering
Official Free
The philosophy of the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering is to safeguard and enhance the safety and welfare of the citizens of this State by professionally and efficiently fulfilling its responsibilities of examining, licensing, registering, inspecting, and regulating the practices of cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, and nail technology to ensure competency and sanitation among all licensed practitioners, establishments, and schools in the State.
🌐 msbcb.ms.gov
FAQS | Mississippi Board of Registration for Foresters
Official Free
The purpose of the Registration Law is to ensure that the landowners of Mississippi receive the services of only competent, ethical, and professionally trained practitioners in the management of their timber and lands. Supporters of this law believe that professional forest management is essential in making our renewable timber resources the state's most important and sustainable crop.
🌐 borf.ms.gov
Mississippi State Board of Funeral Service - Home
Official Free
See official source.
🌐 msbfs.ms.gov
Find Real Estate Broker | Salesperson | Mississippi Real Estate Commission
Official Free
The Mississippi Real Estate Commission was established on May 6, 1954 with the specific mission to protect the public through the licensing, regulation and supervision of resident and non-resident real estate brokers and real estate salespersons and their businesses.
🌐 mrec2.webapps.ms.gov
Mississippi Insurance Department - Official Website of the Mississippi Insurance Department
Official Free
Find information about government spending in Mississippi. ... Learn more about the mission of the MS Fire Personnel, board members and meeting dates. ... Home Annual Report Divisions Email Directory Employment Opportunities History Public Access Information Strategic Plan · Licensing Search Company Licensing Request Assistance File Complaint Fight Insurance Fraud Insurance Company Rating Services · Entity Licensing Producer\Individual Licensing Bail Agent License Revocations Health Care Reform Enforcement Actions
🌐 mid.ms.gov
Frequently Asked Questions Last updated: October 2014 About Applications
Official Free
Following approval by the Mississippi Board to sit for the exam, applicants must then register · with the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) at ... Intern (Surveyor Intern). I am a Mississippi resident.
🌐 peps.apps.its.ms.gov
Mortgage - Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance
Official Free
The Mississippi S.A.F.E. Mortgage Act, under Section 81-18-1, et seq., charges the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance (DBCF) with the responsibility for the licensing and regulatory supervision of Mortgage Brokers, Mortgage Lenders and Servicers, and Mortgage Loan Originators operating in Mississippi. The Nonbank Division is responsible for the evaluation of applications for licensure, the issuance and maintenance of licenses for these types of companies and individuals and the periodic examination of licensed entities to ensure compliance with Mississippi laws.
🌐 dbcf.ms.gov
Mississippi Secretary of State - Notary Search
Official Free
This statewide Mississippi source includes Mississippi in its coverage. It is independently run, so verify anything critical against the official license and permit office.
🌐 sos.ms.gov
Verification | Mississippi Board of Nursing
Official Free
Please review the information below. If any changes need to be made, navigate to the applicable page and make changes. Once all information is correct, continue to create your account · Your session is about to be timed out. As a security precaution, sessions end after 60 minutes of inactivity
🌐 gateway.licensure.msbn.ms.gov
Disciplinary Action | Mississippi Board of Nursing
Official Free
The Nurse Practice Act outlines various violations and provides the penalties that may be imposed. The following are disciplinary and non-disciplinary actions that may be taken against a license. All actions are subject to the Mississippi Public Information Act; however, only disciplinary actions are reportable.
🌐 msbn.ms.gov
Nursing Student Retention Scholarship Program | Office of Nursing Workforce
Official Free
The program targeted students at all levels of nursing and the funds could be used to cover the cost of educated-related expenses, including tuition, fees, supplies, textbooks, and housing. Students selected as recipients of receiving this were required to complete their nursing degree and agree to practice nursing in the state of Mississippi for a certain period.
🌐 msbn.ms.gov
State Board of Optometry | MS.GOV
Official Free
The Mississippi State Board of Optometry was created by the legislature to meet the public's need for protection from incompetent or negligent optometric practice. The Board protects the public through licensure and disciplinary procedures. The Mississippi State Board is charged with ensuring ...
🌐 ms.gov
License Verification | Mississippi Board of Pharmacy
Official Free
Permit and license lookups for Mississippi run through here. Confirm details with the official license and permit office before relying on them.
🌐 gateway.mbp.ms.gov
Medical Enforcement Licensing System | Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure
Official Free
The Licensure Gateway is a single portal to manage licenses, permits and registrations associated with the Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure. It grants access to printable documents, change of address, online applications and many more features. The Licensure Gateway is used to submit ...
🌐 gateway.msbml.ms.gov
Mississippi Real Estate Commission
Official Free
The Mississippi Real Estate Commission was established on May 6, 1954 with the specific mission to protect the public through the licensing, regulation and supervision of resident and non-resident real estate brokers and real estate salespersons and their businesses.
🌐 mrec2.webapps.ms.gov
TITLE PLEDGE ACT (§§ 75-67-401 — 75-67-449) LIST OF LICENSEES Company Id
Official Free
Permit and license lookups for Mississippi run through here. It sits outside government; official offices remain the record of authority.
🌐 dbcf.ms.gov
Child Care and Youth Camps - Mississippi State Department of Health
Official Free
This statewide Mississippi source includes Mississippi in its coverage. It sits outside government; official offices remain the record of authority.
🌐 msdh.ms.gov
Register — cna365.examroom.ai
Official Free
Please complete the web form below to submit a ticket, and we will get back to you as soon as possible · Upload a file or drag and drop
🌐 cna365.examroom.ai
Mississippi Producer Portal | Vertafore
Official Free
Also, they must hold at least one ... State of Mississippi with admitted property and casualty insurance companies. The non-resident applicant must hold a Surplus Lines license in their home state. If not, they must meet the same requirements as the resident applicant. To review your CE transcript click here to access the Sircon/Vertafore website. If you have taken CEs and they are not recorded, please contact your education provider...
🌐 sircon.com
ARELLO
Official Free
Permit and license lookups for Mississippi run through here. It sits outside government; official offices remain the record of authority.
🌐 arello.com

Mississippi Counties

82 Mississippi counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.

Hinds Harrison DeSoto Rankin Jackson Madison Lee Forrest Lauderdale Adams Alcorn Amite Attala Benton

Which Mississippi counties publish local licensing online

3 of Mississippi's 83 counties run their own online source for local licensing, based on what this directory indexes. Every other county is covered by the statewide systems listed above — click a county for its full records page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most Mississippi professional and occupational licenses (medical, legal, contracting, real estate, cosmetology, etc.) can be verified through the Official Mississippi Professional & Occupational Licenses at www.sos.ms.gov. Look for the 'License Lookup' or 'Verify a Licensee' tool — searches are typically by name or license number and return active/inactive status.

Mississippi business licensing combines state, county, and city permits depending on activity. The Official Mississippi Professional & Occupational Licenses at www.sos.ms.gov is the primary state portal; local business-tax certificates are issued by the city or county where you operate. The federal usa.gov permits guide is a helpful starting overview.

That depends on the profession. Mississippi, like most states, licenses regulated occupations such as healthcare, legal, construction, real estate, cosmetology, security, and many trades. The Official Mississippi Professional & Occupational Licenses publishes the full list and exemption criteria at www.sos.ms.gov.

Complaints against licensed professionals in Mississippi are filed with the issuing board or division under the Official Mississippi Professional & Occupational Licenses. Most boards accept online complaint submissions at www.sos.ms.gov, plus mail-in forms. Each board reviews complaints under the standards in Mississippi's occupational code.

Many Mississippi boards offer license-by-reciprocity, license-by-endorsement, or expedited pathways for applicants already licensed in another U.S. jurisdiction. The Official Mississippi Professional & Occupational Licenses at www.sos.ms.gov publishes the reciprocity rules per profession; some require additional Mississippi-specific exams or jurisprudence tests.