STATE LICENSE
ConditionalMississippi State Board of Contractors (M…
No state credential was found for routine pool cleaning and water-chemistry service. Building pools is contractor work: MSBOC lists a Swimming Pools specialty, with a trade exam, under the Building Construction, Mechanical, and Municipal and Public Works majors, required for public or private pool contracts of $50,000 or more.
At homes, pool construction or remodeling over $10,000 for an existing residence fits the statutory remodeler definition (Miss. Code Ann. § 73-59-1(c)), and any subcontractor doing the electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work on a residential project needs the matching MSBOC residential license regardless of dollar amount (§ 73-59-3(1)(d)).
The state sets the license floor; the county or city permit office controls filing, inspections, and local rules wherever the job site sits.
Mississippi licensing is statewide through MSBOC, but cities and counties enforce it: building officials must refuse permits to anyone who would be a residential builder or remodeler unless they show an MSBOC license or exemption, and must report suspected violations to the Board (Miss. Code Ann. § 73-59-17). Residential contractors without a permanent Mississippi place of business (and not holding a commercial certificate) also need a Department of Revenue permit under § 27-65-27 to obtain a building permit, regardless of project cost or insurance funding (§ 73-59-18).
The local offices section below names the exact permit desk for every Mississippi county on file.
Each row names the issuing authority, cost, timeline, citation, and status behind the requirement — verified against the official source.
Published fees from the issuing authorities, as of October 2026. Local permit fees vary by project and jurisdiction — the basis is stated where a flat number does not exist.
Cleaning and balancing water carries no identified state license; building or remodeling pools is MSBOC-licensed contractor work above the thresholds.
Residential pool electrical and plumbing subcontracts need MSBOC residential trade licenses no matter the dollar amount.
MSBOC lists a trade exam for the Swimming Pools specialty, plus the Law & Business Management exam.
A practical sequence for a new pool service contractor in Mississippi. Actual agency processing times are noted in the ledger above.
Each item names the issuing authority, cycle, and citation.
Statutory consequences with their citations — not estimates, not “commonly cited” guesses.
Undertaking residential work that requires an MSBOC license without one — or giving the Board false information to get one — is a misdemeanor, and the Board may cite and stop the work.
A contractor unlicensed when the work was performed may not sue to enforce a residential building or remodeling contract; recovery is limited to documented labor and material expenses proved by clear and convincing evidence.
A public or private contract awarded to a contractor without a certificate of responsibility is void; knowingly bidding without one is a misdemeanor, and the Board may order abatement.
Inside city limits, the city office listed here issues the permit; the county office serves unincorporated areas. Every office links to its official page.
Every fact in this file was checked against these official sources on October 2026.
Pending verification: Whether the Mississippi State Department of Health requires a certified pool operator or other credential for service companies maintaining public or semi-public pools (not researched) · Whether MSBOC treats residential pool construction as remodeler work under § 73-59-1(c) — inferred from the statutory definition, not confirmed in MSBOC guidance · Whether for-hire application of pool algaecides requires an MDAC pesticide credential (not researched) · PSI exam fees for the Law & Business Management exam and the trade exams (MSBOC sends a PSI Candidate Information Bulletin only after an application is received)
General information, not legal advice. Always confirm requirements, deadlines, and forms with the issuing authority before filing or contracting.
Store licenses, permits, policies, and renewal dates in one place.