Plumber License Requirements in Mississippi
| Licensing Authority | Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) |
| License Type | Plumbing Contractor (Commercial / Residential) |
| Experience Required | Commercial: qualifying party must demonstrate at least 4 years of plumbing experience. Residential: must show proof of at least 3 completed plumbing jobs and provide 3 reference letters (1 from a bank, 2 construction-related). No formal degree required — high school diploma or GED is sufficient. |
| Education Substitute | No formal education substitution specified by MSBOC. Apprenticeship programs and trade school training count toward experience at the local level. |
| Exam Required | Yes — Mississippi Business and Law Management Exam + Mississippi Plumbing Contractor Trade Exam |
| Bond Required | No |
| Insurance | General liability: required. Workers comp: required with employees |
| Continuing Education | 2 hours every year (residential licenses issued on or after July 1, 2015 only) |
| Processing Time | 7–10 business days |
Fee Breakdown
| Application Fee | $400 |
| Exam Fee | $240 |
| Est. Initial Total | $640 |
Related & additional fees
Separate or ongoing costs — not included in the estimate above.
| Residential application fee | $50 |
| Residential renewal fee | $100 |
| Additional trade classification | $100 |
Renewal: $400 every 1 year
Exam Requirements
Mississippi Business and Law Management Exam
Mississippi Plumbing Contractor Trade Exam
Exam provider: PSI
Recommended exam prep
Formal prep pays for itself against a $100+ retake. Many states examine contractors on two separate papers — the trade exam and a business and law exam — so we list the course covering both first, with trade-specific depth after.
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Mometrix · SponsoredContractor License Online Study CourseFull online prep course covering the trade and business-and-law exams — video lessons, practice questions, and a study plan built for a first-try pass.See the course →
Mometrix · SponsoredPlumber's Exam Secrets Study GuideCovers plumbing code, systems, and installation for the journeyman and master plumber exams — organized topic reviews plus practice questions for a first-try pass.See the study guide →
Mometrix · SponsoredPlumber's Exam FlashcardsPortable flashcards for the high-frequency plumber-exam topics — a cheaper add-on for drilling code references and terms on the go.See the flashcards →Set up the business before you apply in Mississippi
Most states license the company as well as the person, so the application usually asks for an LLC or corporation and a registered agent in Mississippi. Northwest forms the entity and acts as your registered agent — a flat fee, no upsell funnel.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Form an LLC with Northwest→License Tiers
Residential Plumbing Contractor
Proof of 3 completed plumbing jobs; projects over $10,000
Exam: Required
Commercial Plumbing Contractor — Specialty
4 years experience; $20,000 minimum net worth; projects over $50,000
Exam: Required
License Reciprocity
This state has reciprocity agreements with 5 states. View full reciprocity details — You may be able to skip the trade exam if you hold a valid license from one of these states.
Notes
- Mississippi does NOT license individual plumbers (journeyman/master) at the state level — that is handled by local municipalities
- The MSBOC license is a contractor/business license
- Residential plumbing threshold: projects over $10,000
- Commercial plumbing threshold: projects over $50,000
- All exams are open book — tabbed and highlighted references permitted
- Exam eligibility valid for 6 months with unlimited retakes
- 2026 change: renewal notices sent by email only
You're licensed in Mississippi as a plumber — the next 30 days
Most of the steps below are required before your first paid job; the order is the order the state and its counties will ask for them.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Form the business and get an EIN.
The Mississippi State Board of Contractors issues the Plumbing Contractor (Commercial / Residential); the business that invoices Mississippi customers is a separate decision. A sole proprietorship is the default, an LLC keeps business liability off your personal assets, and either needs an EIN before the first payroll. Settle it before the license number goes on an estimate.
Bond: none required by the state.
Mississippi does not require a surety bond for this license — No statewide surety bond required by MSBOC. Local municipalities may require bonds.
Carry the insurance the license requires.
Mississippi requires general liability insurance for this license. General liability: minimum $300,000 per occurrence and $600,000 aggregate with MSBOC listed as certificate holder. Workers compensation: required if 5 or more employees. Contractor insurance requirements→
Register locally.
Individual plumber licenses (journeyman, master) are issued by cities and counties, not the state. Most local jurisdictions require their own exam and experience verification. Check with your local building department.
Set up quoting, scheduling and invoicing before the first call.
Your first customers will ask for a written estimate and expect to pay by card on site. Most one-truck plumber businesses run that on field-service software; Housecall Pro is the one we link because it is built for this size of company and this link carries 20% off your first 12 months. Start a free trial of Housecall Pro→
Keep the license.
Renewal is every year at $400. Continuing education: 2 hours every year (residential licenses issued on or after July 1, 2015 only)
Other licenses in Mississippi
- General Contractor license in Mississippi
Statewide license required · $640 in initial government fees · MSBOC
- Electrician license in Mississippi
Statewide license required · $640 in initial government fees · MSBOC
- HVAC Technician license in Mississippi
Statewide license required · $640 in initial government fees · MSBOC
- Roofing Contractor license in Mississippi
Statewide license required · $290 in initial government fees · MSBOC
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a plumber license in Mississippi?
Yes, Mississippi requires a statewide plumber license through the Mississippi State Board of Contractors.
How much does a plumber license cost in Mississippi?
The estimated initial cost is $640, including application, exam, and license fees.
What experience do I need for a plumber license in Mississippi?
Commercial: qualifying party must demonstrate at least 4 years of plumbing experience. Residential: must show proof of at least 3 completed plumbing jobs and provide 3 reference letters (1 from a bank, 2 construction-related). No formal degree required — high school diploma or GED is sufficient. Education substitute: No formal education substitution specified by MSBOC. Apprenticeship programs and trade school training count toward experience at the local level.
What exams are required for a plumber license in Mississippi?
You must pass the Mississippi Business and Law Management Exam and Mississippi Plumbing Contractor Trade Exam exams. A passing score of 70% is required. Exams are administered by PSI.
Does Mississippi have plumber license reciprocity?
Yes, Mississippi has reciprocity agreements with 5 states that may apply to plumbers. Licensed contractors from these states may be eligible to skip certain exams or have an expedited application process.
How long does it take to get a plumber license in Mississippi?
Processing time is typically 7–10 business days after submitting a complete application.
Is continuing education required for plumbers in Mississippi?
Yes, 2 hours per every year (residential licenses issued on or after July 1, 2015 only) is required for license renewal.
Next steps
You know the requirements for plumbers in Mississippi— here's how to actually pass and apply.
Data last verified: 2026-04-02 | Source: MSBOC