How to get a Certificate of Responsibility — Plumbing in Mississippi
Mississippi licenses plumbers statewide through the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC).1 For the Certificate of Responsibility — Plumbing (specialty classification under Mechanical) you need a passing score on the Mississippi Law and Business Management exam2 and a criminal background check1. The board lists $400 for the application2. You renew every year3.
Who issues it
Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC)
Exam
Mississippi Law and Business Management exam2
Fees the board lists
Application fee: $4002
Renewal
Every year3
On this page
- Mississippi plumber licenses
- Applies to every license level
- Who needs a Certificate of Responsibility — Plumbing
- Requirements for a Certificate of Responsibility — Plumbing
- How much a Certificate of Responsibility — Plumbing costs
- How to apply
- Renewal and continuing education
- Moving to Mississippi with a license from another state
- Residential Plumbing license
- City and county rules
- Check a license or report a problem
- Laws and rules
- Common questions
- Plumber licenses in other states
Mississippi plumber licenses
Mississippi issues 2 plumber credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.
| License | What it covers | Exam | Application or license fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Responsibility — Plumbing (specialty classification under Mechanical) | Commercial contracting (prime or subcontract, any tier) for plumbing on public or private projects of $50,000 or more. Plumbing is a specialty classification within the Mechanical major classification; a Mechanical major license (which covers HVAC, piping and plumbing work) also allows plumbing.5 | Yes2 | $4002 |
| Residential Plumbing license | Residential plumbing work only; any plumbing subcontractor of any tier on a residential construction or improvement project must be licensed regardless of job value. The Residential Mechanical license (HVAC and plumbing exams both required) also covers residential plumbing.6 | Yes7 | $506 |
Applies to every license level
These rules are the same for every Mississippi plumber license on this page, so they are shown once here. Each license's own section lists only what differs.
Requirements
- Background check
- Background check required1
Conviction does not bar licensure; failure to disclose can lead to denial. Board weighs experience, character, past performance and financial condition.1 - Social Security number
- U.S. Social Security number required for each qualifying party.1
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duplicate or replacement license | $508 | MSBOC | Not refundable. Effective January 1, 2016 |
The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee; check it with the exam provider, PSI27, when you schedule.
How to apply
- Apply online
- secure.msboc.us910
- Application form
- Form (PDF, msboc.us)27
Renewal
- Renew online
- secure.msboc.us310
Who needs a Certificate of Responsibility — Plumbing
Commercial contracting (prime or subcontract, any tier) for plumbing on public or private projects of $50,000 or more. Plumbing is a specialty classification within the Mechanical major classification; a Mechanical major license (which covers HVAC, piping and plumbing work) also allows plumbing.5
Exemptions and dollar thresholds:
- Commercial license (certificate of responsibility) not required for contracts under $50,000.11
Other rules on who may do this work:
Requirements for a Certificate of Responsibility — Plumbing
The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.
- Experience
- Show experience in the plumbing classification: list at least 3 completed plumbing jobs; qualifying party must have the experience to supervise or perform the work.2
- Exam
- Mississippi Plumbing trade exam (PSI)2
Given by: PSI2
Passing score: 70%11
When you can take it: MSBOC reviews the application, then notifies PSI; schedule only after PSI confirmation.2
All exams are open book.2
Exam waived: Trade exam (not the Law & Business exam) may be waived by reciprocity ($50 per exam waived) or under the Military Family Freedom Act / Universal Recognition Act.4 - Insurance
- General liability $300,000 per occurrence / $600,000 aggregate, MSBOC as certificate holder.2
- Business requirements
- Qualifying party (owner, officer or responsible managing employee) takes the exams; proof of employment required; replace within 90 days if the qualifier leaves.1
- Business requirements
- CPA-reviewed or audited financial statement within 12 months; net worth at least $20,000 for a specialty classification such as Plumbing ($50,000 if applying for the Mechanical major classification); cannot be waived.2
- Business requirements
- Corporations/LLCs/LLPs: proof of good standing with the Mississippi Secretary of State.2
- Business requirements
- Mississippi sales tax or use tax number.2
- Also required
- Three reference letters, one from a bank.2
- Also required
- Incomplete applications are destroyed after 180 days.1
How much a Certificate of Responsibility — Plumbing costs
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $4002 | MSBOC | The application fee. Not refundable. Effective January 1, 2016 |
| Commercial License – Additional Classification | $1008 | MSBOC | Each additional trade classification. Not refundable. Effective January 1, 2016 |
| License by endorsement or reciprocity | $258 | MSBOC | Verification of an MSBOC license for another state. Not refundable. Effective January 1, 2016 |
| License by endorsement or reciprocity | $504 | MSBOC | Each trade exam waived by reciprocity. Not refundable. Effective July 1, 2025 |
| Commercial License – Name Change | $508 | MSBOC | Name change. Not refundable. Effective January 1, 2016 |
| Request to transfer to Inactive status | $258 | MSBOC | Active to inactive (same fee to reactivate). Not refundable. Effective January 1, 2016 |
| Request for Change in Qualifying Party | $258 | MSBOC | Change in qualifying party. Not refundable. Effective January 1, 2016 |
Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.
How to apply
- Choose the Plumbing specialty classification (or the Mechanical major classification) and assemble the commercial application: qualifying party details with SSN, 3 plumbing jobs, 3 reference letters, CPA-reviewed financial statement showing at least $20,000 net worth ($50,000 for Mechanical), insurance certificates and tax numbers.2
- Send the application with the $400 non-refundable fee (check or money order; $100 per extra classification). Complete it within 180 days.2
- After MSBOC notifies PSI, the qualifying party takes the open-book Law and Business Management exam and the Plumbing trade exam and needs 70%; or applies to waive the trade exam by reciprocity, MFFA or UROL.2
- The Board reviews the completed file and issues the certificate of responsibility; renew every year.3
Renewal and continuing education
- When it expires
- Renew annually before the expiration date on the license; renew online or by mail.3
- Renewal fee
- $4003
- Late renewal
- Late renewal fee: $4503 (expired license (renewal $400 + $50 late fee))
Renewal planner
Enter the expiration date printed on your Mississippi Certificate of Responsibility — Plumbing (specialty classification under Mechanical). The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.
Moving to Mississippi with a license from another state
These are the routes MSBOC publishes for the Certificate of Responsibility — Plumbing. The other plumber licenses have their own routes in their sections below.
- Route
- Exam waiver
- What the board says
- Trade-exam waiver for holders of a current, exam-based license from a partner board (held 1 year, discipline-free); the Mississippi Law and Business Management exam and full application are still required; $50 per exam waived.4
- States named for the waiver
- Ohio, Tennessee and Alabama4
Licenses from these states can qualify for the waiver described above. This is not a list of licenses Mississippi accepts in place of its own; it does not say those states give a Mississippi license the same waiver. - Condition for Alabama
- Only the Alabama Plumbers & Gas Fitters Examining Board Master Plumber license qualifies (Alabama exam taken); the Alabama General Contractors Board agreement excludes Mechanical and Plumbing.2
- Condition for Arkansas
- Arkansas agreement excludes Plumbing (all Mechanical work).4
- Condition for Louisiana
- Louisiana agreement excludes Plumbing; the MSBOC reciprocity web page also says the LSLBC agreement has ended.4
- Fee
- $504
- Route
- Universal license recognition
- What the board says
- Universal Recognition of Occupational Licensure Act (73-50-2): exam waiver via form UROL if qualifications are of similar scope and standard.2
- Route
- Military service members and spouses
- What the board says
- Military Family Freedom Act (73-50-1): exam waiver via form MFFA for military-trained applicants and military families.2
Residential Plumbing license
Residential plumbing work only; any plumbing subcontractor of any tier on a residential construction or improvement project must be licensed regardless of job value. The Residential Mechanical license (HVAC and plumbing exams both required) also covers residential plumbing.6
Requirements
- Experience
- List at least 3 completed jobs in the residential plumbing classification.7
- Exam
- Mississippi Law and Business Management exam7
Given by: PSI7
Passing score: 70%6
Retakes: Rejected applicants may be re-examined at the next exam date after filing a new application and paying the fee again.6 - Exam
- Residential Plumbing exam7
Given by: PSI7
Passing score: 70%6
All exams are open book.7
Retakes: Re-examination at the next scheduled date after a new application and fee.6
Exam waived: Trade exam may be waived by reciprocity ($50 per exam) or under MFFA/UROL.7 - Insurance
- Certificate of general liability insurance (no minimum amount stated), MSBOC as certificate holder.7
- Business requirements
- Qualifying party takes the exams.1
- Also required
- Three reference letters (one from a bank), even if an exam was passed before.7
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $506 | MSBOC | The application fee. Not refundable. Effective January 1, 2016 |
| Please add | $1007 | MSBOC | Each additional residential classification. Not refundable |
| License by endorsement or reciprocity | $507 | MSBOC | Each trade exam waived. Not refundable |
| Request to transfer to Inactive status | $258 | MSBOC | Active to inactive (same to reactivate). Not refundable. Effective January 1, 2016 |
| Temporary license or permit | up to $506 | MSBOC | Emergency license after a disaster (up to 90 days) |
Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.
How to apply
- Complete the residential application selecting Residential Plumbing (or Residential Mechanical, which needs both the HVAC and plumbing exams); attach 3 job references, 3 reference letters, liability insurance certificate and tax/SSN numbers.7
- Pay the $50 non-refundable application fee.7
- Take the open-book PSI Law and Business Management exam and the Residential Plumbing exam (70% to pass).7
- Renew every year with proof of 2 hours of approved continuing education per qualifier.10
- Temporary or provisional license
- Emergency license after a declared disaster, up to 90 days (extendable 90), fee up to $50.6
Renewal
- When it expires
- License expires on the last day of the twelfth month after issue or renewal; renew annually.6
- Renewal fee
- $10010
- Continuing education
- At least 2 credit hours each renewal period6
- Required topics
- No mandated topics; licensee chooses board-approved courses (credit hour = 50 minutes).6
- Approved courses
- Courses must be taught by a board-approved provider or instructor; no carryover.6
- Exemptions
- Waived while inactive (2 hours needed before reactivating); not required for licenses issued before July 1, 2015.6
- Late renewal
- Late renewal fee: $11010 (expired license ($100 + $10 late fee))
- If it expires
- Expired more than 180 days: submit a new application.10
From another state
- Route
- Exam waiver
- What the board says
- Trade-exam waiver ($50 per exam) for current exam-based licensees of partner boards; Law and Business exam still required. The South Carolina Residential Builders Commission agreement names Residential Plumbing; Tennessee waives all exams.4
- States named for the waiver
- South Carolina and Tennessee4
Licenses from these states can qualify for the waiver described above. This is not a list of licenses Mississippi accepts in place of its own; it does not say those states give a Mississippi license the same waiver. - Fee
- $504
- Route
- Universal license recognition
- What the board says
- Exam waiver under the Universal Recognition Act (73-50-2), form UROL.7
- Route
- Military service members and spouses
- What the board says
- Exam waiver under the Military Family Freedom Act (73-50-1), form MFFA.7
The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.
City and county rules
Certificate of Responsibility — Plumbing (specialty classification under Mechanical)Mississippi has no state license for individual plumbers (journeyman or master). Plumbing contractors need an MSBOC license (commercial jobs of $50,000 or more; residential plumbing subcontractors at any job value), and cities license or register plumbing contractors and issue plumbing permits; e.g. Gulfport issues a city Master Plumbing contractor license ($100, waived for MSBOC certificate holders) and charges a $30 base plumbing permit fee plus per-fixture fees.13
| City or county | What it requires | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson | City requires plumbing permits; property owners or licensed contractors pull permits.14 | Official page14 |
| Gulfport | City contractor license (Master Plumbing category) in the name of the tested qualifying party; current MSBOC license with registration numbers (if any), $100,000/$300,000 public liability insurance with the City as certificate holder, copy of a current business privilege license, valid photo ID of the qualifying party and $100 fee (fee waived for MSBOC Certificate of Responsibility holders; reference letters waived for MSBOC licensees). Plumbing permits ask for the license number; permit fee is a $30 base fee plus per-fixture fees (e.g. $5 per water closet, $10 per sewer connection, $10 per water heater).13 | Official page15 |
| Biloxi | Plumbing/gas subcontractor permits require a city license number.16 | Official page17 |
Check a license or report a problem
Before you hire a plumber in Mississippi, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Mississippi is on the Mississippi license lookup page.
Laws and rules
The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.
- Miss. Code Ann. Title 31, ch. 3 (State Board of Contractors; certificates of responsibility), incl. 31-3-1, 31-3-13, 31-3-14, 31-3-17, 31-3-21
- Miss. Code Ann. Title 73, ch. 59 (Residential builders and remodelers), incl. 73-59-1, 73-59-3, 73-59-5, 73-59-9, 73-59-11
- MSBOC Commercial Rules and Regulations (reproduced in the board's Commercial Laws and Rules PDF)
- MSBOC Residential Rules, Part 803 Chapter 1 (incl. Rule 1.4 Continuing Education)
- Miss. Code Ann. 73-50-1 (Military Family Freedom Act) and 73-50-2 (Universal Recognition of Occupational Licensure Act), as cited by MSBOC
Common questions
Can I transfer my plumber license to Mississippi?
MSBOC publishes these routes for the Certificate of Responsibility — Plumbing: exam waiver4 and universal license recognition2. Conditions and forms.
Plumber licenses in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- MSBOC Apply For A LicenseMississippi State Board of ContractorsChecked November 7, 2026
- MSBOC Commercial ApplicationMississippi State Board of ContractorsChecked November 7, 2026
- MSBOC Commercial License Renewal FormMississippi State Board of ContractorsChecked November 7, 2026
- MSBOC Reciprocity Instructions and Form (updated 07-2025)Mississippi State Board of ContractorsDated July 1, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- MSBOC ClassificationsMississippi State Board of ContractorsChecked November 7, 2026
- MSBOC Residential Builders Law and Rules (2022)Mississippi State Board of ContractorsChecked November 7, 2026
- MSBOC Residential Application (updated 4-2026)Mississippi State Board of ContractorsDated February 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- MSBOC Fee Schedule Effective January 1, 2016Mississippi State Board of ContractorsDated January 1, 2016Checked November 7, 2026
- Maintaining a LicenseMississippi State Board of ContractorsChecked November 7, 2026
- MSBOC Residential License Renewal FormMississippi State Board of ContractorsChecked November 7, 2026
- MSBOC Commercial Laws and Rules (revised 2022)Mississippi State Board of ContractorsChecked November 7, 2026
- MSBOC FormsMississippi State Board of ContractorsChecked November 7, 2026
- Gulfport Application for Contractor's LicenseCity of Gulfport, Urban Development - Building Code ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Jackson Residential Buildings and PermitsCity of JacksonChecked November 7, 2026
- Gulfport Building Code ServicesCity of Gulfport, Urban Development - Building Code ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Biloxi Subcontractors Permit Application (Revised 2023)City of Biloxi, Planning DivisionChecked November 7, 2026
- Biloxi Forms / PermitsCity of BiloxiChecked November 7, 2026