Mississippi Pool Contractor License Requirements (2026)

Mississippi licenses swimming pool and spa construction through the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC), which issues a commercial Certificate of Responsibility carrying a dedicated "Swimming Pools" specialty classification. This is a commercial credential: a Certificate of Responsibility is required for commercial projects valued at $50,000 or more, and the Swimming Pools classification nests under the Building Construction, Mechanical, and Municipal & Public Works major classifications rather than being offered as a residential license. To qualify, a company's qualifying party must pass two open-book PSI computer-based exams (the Swimming Pools trade exam and the mandatory Mississippi Law & Business Management exam) at 70% each, and the firm must document at least three completed pool jobs, furnish a CPA-prepared reviewed or audited financial statement showing at least $20,000 net worth, and carry general liability insurance. No surety bond and no fingerprint-based background check are required. Purely residential-scope work or projects below the commercial threshold may instead fall under local building-permit rules, so the applicant should confirm the controlling project-value threshold with MSBOC before bidding.

Regulatory Body Profile

Authority over this credential rests with Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC), which issues and polices it under Miss. Code Ann. Title 31, Ch. 3 (State Board of Public Contractors, sections 31-3-1 through 31-3-25); administrative rules at 30 Miss. Code R. Part 802 (Commercial Construction), Ch. 1 (Certificate of Responsibility). The Mississippi State Board of Contractors is the state licensing board that issues the commercial Certificate of Responsibility with the Swimming Pools specialty classification authorizing pool and spa construction.

• Official portal: https://www.msboc.us
• Address: P.O. Box 320279, Jackson, MS 39232-0279 (physical: 2679 Crane Ridge Dr., Ste. C, Jackson, MS 39216)
• Phone: 601-354-6161 / toll-free 800-880-6161

The Eligibility Audit

The applicant must be at least 0 years of age and possess a valid Social Security Number. No state residency requirement; out-of-state applicants may test at any PSI center. Corporations, LLCs, and LLPs must be registered and in good standing with the Mississippi Secretary of State, and the applicant must furnish a Mississippi sales/use tax number and a Mississippi or federal income tax ID.

Good moral character

No explicit statutory 'good moral character' standard is cited. Character is addressed through a notarized affidavit and the background-disclosure questions on the commercial application.

Background investigation

No fingerprint-based criminal background check is required. The application requires sworn, notarized disclosure of bankruptcy in the past 7 years, any bid-rigging or home-repair-fraud charges or convictions, prior license denials or revocations, disciplinary actions, and any failure to complete contracts. Misrepresentation is grounds for denial or revocation.

Disqualifying conditions

• Bid rigging (must be disclosed)
• Home repair fraud (must be disclosed)
• Falsifying application information (grounds for denial or revocation; the specific durational bar and its rule subsection could not be verified)

Experience and Education Standards

Rather than a set number of years, the cited materials define eligibility through No minimum number of years is specified. The applicant must demonstrate experience in the Swimming Pools classification by listing at least three completed jobs in that classification and stating the construction experience of the principal individuals (owner, officer, or qualifying party)..

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

• List of at least three completed projects in the requested Swimming Pools classification
• Three reference letters (at least one from the applicant's bank or financial institution)
• Proof of employment of the qualifying party (W-2 or check stub, or articles of incorporation listing the individual as an officer)

Education substitution

None specified

The Exam Syllabus

The exam, administered by PSI, breaks into the parts shown below — all must be passed before licensure:

• Swimming Pools (trade exam) — 60 questions, 120 minutes, passing score 70%
• Mississippi Law & Business Management — 50 questions, 120 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $120 per examination portion; $240 for both portions (per the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin, non-refundable)

Retake policy: New applicants have 6 months from the date of eligibility to pass both required exams, with unlimited retakes during that window; each registration carries a separate exam fee. An applicant who does not pass within 6 months must reapply to MSBOC.

Bonding, Insurance & Financial Security

No statewide contractor license surety bond is required for this credential in the cited sources. Project-specific, permit, or public-works bonds may still apply, so confirm bonding before bidding a given job.

General liability

$300,000 per occurrence and $600,000 aggregate; the certificate must list MSBOC as certificate holder and the insured name must match the license.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation coverage is required; the '5 or more employees' threshold derives from Mississippi's general workers'-comp law (Miss. Code Ann. Title 71), not from an MSBOC rule.

Additional financial requirements

A reviewed or audited financial statement prepared and signed by a CPA (per AICPA standards) within the last 12 months; a compilation is not accepted. Minimum net worth of $20,000 for a specialty classification such as Swimming Pools (the $50,000 minimum applies only to major classifications).

Schedule of Fees

Renewal and Continuing Obligations

The Swimming Pools (specialty classification under a Commercial Certificate of Responsibility) runs on a year renewal cycle. No separate statewide renewal fee is listed in the cited sources. The license is valid for one year and must be renewed annually. MSBOC emails renewal notices about 60 days before expiration, and proof of current general liability insurance is required at each renewal. The commercial renewal fee amount is not published in an official machine-readable source (possibly around $200) and should be verified with MSBOC.

Continuing education: None required. The exams are open-book and no continuing-education mandate was identified.

Out-of-State Reciprocity

For this classification, Mississippi does not recognize the NASCLA Accredited Examination.

MSBOC administers its own PSI-based state exams. A claim that Mississippi accepts the multi-state NASCLA Accredited Examination (only for Building Construction and Master Electrician, not Swimming Pools) could not be independently confirmed and should be verified with MSBOC. Separately, MSBOC maintains reciprocity agreements that can waive the TRADE exam ($50 per exam waived) if the applicant held the reciprocal license for one year and is free of any disciplinary action; the Mississippi Law & Business Management exam and all other application requirements always still apply. The reciprocal agreements on record cover Building/Residential/General, Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing classifications, and none identifies Swimming Pools as a waivable classification, so a pool applicant should expect to sit the PSI Swimming Pools exam. Confirm pool-specific waivability directly with MSBOC.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares Pool Contractor license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

The Application Roadmap

1. Confirm the classification and project threshold. Verify with MSBOC that the Swimming Pools commercial specialty classification fits the intended scope, and confirm whether the work meets the $50,000 commercial threshold that triggers a Certificate of Responsibility versus falling under local building-permit rules.
2. Register the business entity. Register the corporation, LLC, or LLP with the Mississippi Secretary of State and obtain a Mississippi sales/use tax number and a Mississippi or federal income tax ID before applying.
3. Prepare qualifications and financials. Assemble a list of at least three completed pool jobs, three reference letters (one from a bank), proof of employment of the qualifying party, and a CPA-prepared reviewed or audited financial statement (within 12 months) showing at least $20,000 net worth.
4. Register for and pass the PSI exams. Register with PSI and pass both the open-book Swimming Pools trade exam (60 questions, 70%) and the Mississippi Law & Business Management exam (50 questions, 70%) within the 6-month eligibility window.
5. Obtain general liability insurance. Secure general liability coverage of $300,000 per occurrence and $600,000 aggregate, listing MSBOC as certificate holder with the insured name matching the license, and secure workers' compensation coverage as required.
6. Submit the commercial application and await Board approval. File the $400 commercial application (one classification included) with all supporting documents. MSBOC reviews complete applications weekly, and successful candidates receive the Certificate of Responsibility about one week after Board approval.

Where Applications Stall

The errors below are the ones that most frequently cost Mississippi Pool Contractor applicants time, drawn from the cited board guidance.

Assuming reciprocity waives the pool exam

MSBOC reciprocity waives only the trade exam and only for classifications on record (Building/Residential/General, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing). None identifies Swimming Pools, so a pool applicant should expect to sit the PSI Swimming Pools exam regardless of an out-of-state license.

Submitting a compilation instead of a reviewed or audited financial statement

MSBOC requires a CPA-prepared reviewed or audited financial statement dated within the last 12 months and showing at least $20,000 net worth for a specialty classification. A compilation is not accepted and will delay or defeat the application.

Treating the license as residential or ignoring the commercial threshold

Swimming Pools is a commercial specialty classification, not a residential one, and a Certificate of Responsibility is required for commercial jobs of $50,000 or more. Below that threshold or for residential-scope work, local building-permit rules may control, so the applicant must confirm the governing threshold with MSBOC.

Relying on an unconfirmed renewal fee or exam-fee figure

The annual commercial renewal fee is not published in an official machine-readable source (possibly around $200), and a secondary source reports a lower per-exam fee than the PSI bulletin's $120. Both figures should be verified directly with MSBOC and the live PSI bulletin before relying on them.

Pre-Application Checklist

Have each of the following squared away before the packet goes to MSBOC:

• ☐  Confirm the Swimming Pools commercial specialty classification and the $50,000 commercial project-value threshold with MSBOC
• ☐  Register the business entity with the Mississippi Secretary of State and obtain a Mississippi sales/use tax number and income tax ID
• ☐  Compile a list of at least three completed pool jobs and three reference letters (one from a bank)
• ☐  Obtain a CPA-prepared reviewed or audited financial statement (within 12 months) showing at least $20,000 net worth
• ☐  Register with PSI and pass the Swimming Pools trade exam and the Mississippi Law & Business Management exam at 70% each within 6 months of eligibility
• ☐  Secure general liability insurance ($300,000/$600,000) listing MSBOC as certificate holder, plus workers' compensation coverage
• ☐  Submit the $400 commercial application with the sworn, notarized background disclosures and supporting documents

Recommended Study Materials

The list below collects the board's cited references and the materials applicants typically study from. CLR is not paid to recommend any of them.

• State of Mississippi Contractor Examinations Candidate Information Bulletin — PSI. Official exam bulletin listing the Swimming Pools trade exam and Mississippi Law & Business Management exam specifications, open-book reference lists, and the $120-per-portion / $240-for-both exam fees.
• What You Need to Know About Testing — Mississippi State Board of Contractors. MSBOC testing overview confirming the exams are open-book and administered by PSI.

Other Mississippi Trade Licenses

For a different Mississippi credential, see these companion guides published by CLR:

• Mississippi General Contractor License Requirements
• Mississippi Electrician License Requirements
• Mississippi Plumber License Requirements
• Mississippi HVAC Technician License Requirements
• Mississippi Roofing Contractor License Requirements
• Mississippi Painting Contractor License Requirements
• Mississippi Landscaping Contractor License Requirements
• Mississippi Masonry Contractor License Requirements
• Mississippi Carpentry Contractor License Requirements
• Mississippi Solar Installer License Requirements
• Mississippi Low-Voltage Technician License Requirements
• Mississippi Fire Sprinkler Contractor License Requirements
• Mississippi Home Inspector License Requirements

Common Questions

Does Mississippi require a specific license to build swimming pools?

Yes. The Mississippi State Board of Contractors issues a commercial Certificate of Responsibility carrying a dedicated 'Swimming Pools' specialty classification. That classification authorizes unlimited pool and spa installation, maintenance, and servicing, except solar pool heating. It is a commercial credential and is not offered as a residential classification.

How many exams must a Mississippi pool contractor pass?

The qualifying party must pass two open-book computer-based exams administered by PSI: the Swimming Pools trade exam (60 questions) and the mandatory Mississippi Law & Business Management exam (50 questions). Both require a score of 70%. New applicants have 6 months from the date of eligibility to pass, with unlimited retakes in that window.

Is a surety bond required for a Mississippi pool contractor license?

No. MSBOC does not require a surety bond for the commercial Certificate of Responsibility. However, the firm must submit a CPA-prepared reviewed or audited financial statement showing at least $20,000 net worth for a specialty classification, and must carry general liability insurance of $300,000 per occurrence and $600,000 aggregate.

Can reciprocity waive the Mississippi pool exam for an out-of-state contractor?

Probably not for pools. MSBOC reciprocity can waive the trade exam ($50 per exam waived) if the applicant held the reciprocal license one year and is free of disciplinary action, but every reciprocal agreement on record covers Building/Residential/General, Electrical, Mechanical, or Plumbing, not Swimming Pools. A pool applicant should expect to sit the PSI Swimming Pools exam and should verify pool-specific waivability with MSBOC. The Law & Business Management exam always applies.

How much does the Mississippi pool contractor license cost?

The MSBOC commercial application is $400 and includes one classification, with an additional $100 per extra classification. PSI exam fees are $120 per portion, or $240 for both, per the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin. The annual renewal fee is not published in an official machine-readable source (possibly around $200) and should be confirmed directly with MSBOC before filing.

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

1. MSBOC – License Classifications (Swimming Pools listed as a specialty, Test Required)
2. MSBOC – Swimming Pools classification / test required (FAQ entry)
3. MSBOC – Frequently Asked Questions (thresholds, insurance, renewal)
4. MSBOC – Commercial Application (fees, net worth, insurance, experience, reciprocity)
5. MSBOC – What You Need to Know About Testing (PSI, open-book)
6. PSI – State of Mississippi Contractor Examinations Candidate Information Bulletin

Verified 2026-07-10  ·  Next scheduled review 2026-10-08