Mississippi Plumber Continuing Education: What to Verify and What Isn't Statewide

Mississippi's State-Level Plumber CE Requirements

If you're a licensed plumber in Mississippi looking for the state's continuing education requirements, identify which credential you hold before planning CE. For an MSBOC residential license, each qualifying party must complete two (2) credit hours of continuing education from a board-approved provider or instructor to maintain the license under Miss. Code Ann. §73-59-11. This applies to residential licenses issued on or after July 1, 2015.

Check the board's current renewal instructions for the applicable fee, documents, and notice requirements. Beginning in 2026, renewal notices are email-only, so keep your board email address current.

That surprises plumbers coming from states like Colorado, Minnesota, or Ohio, where 4 to 16 CE hours per renewal cycle is standard. Mississippi's requirements depend on the credential and jurisdiction.

What About Local CE Requirements?

Because individual plumbing credentials in Mississippi are issued by local municipalities (not the state), CE and other renewal requirements depend on the municipality. Check with your specific municipal building department before assuming no ongoing training is needed.

If a municipality adopts a new edition of the International Plumbing Code, ask its examining board whether the change affects renewal, supplemental testing, or training. This isn't formalized as "continuing education" in the traditional sense in every jurisdiction, but it can serve the same function.

Check with your specific municipal building department before assuming no ongoing training is needed. Jackson, Gulfport, and Tupelo each set their own standards independently.

Why Training Still Matters Beyond the Minimum

Regardless of whether a formal CE requirement applies, ongoing education remains relevant. Several practical factors make ongoing training valuable:

Code updates. The International Plumbing Code is updated on a three-year cycle, but the edition adopted and enforced can depend on the jurisdiction. The available licensing guidance identifies 2018 or 2021 as possible adopted editions, so check the edition used by your AHJ before relying on a code-update course.

Backflow testing certification. If you do any cross-connection control work, the MSDH requires testing and certification by an MSDH-recognized tester. Verify the current certification and recertification requirements with MSDH; they are separate from your plumber license.

Specialty credentials. Fuel gas and boiler systems require distinct specialty endorsements, and septic-system installation requires MSDH-certified installer status. Confirm any other specialty credential with the relevant authority.

Insurance and liability. Some general liability insurers offer premium discounts for plumbers who complete annual safety or code update training. The savings can offset the cost of the training itself.

Where to Get Training in Mississippi

For residential MSBOC licenses, use the board-approved provider, instructor, and course list. For local trade cards or other credentials, confirm approval requirements with the issuing authority. Broader trade training options include:

• Mississippi Construction Education Foundation (MCEF) — apprenticeship programs and trade-specific coursework
• Joint Apprenticeship Training Committees (JATC) affiliated with the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters — union training programs in Jackson and Gulf Coast chapters
• ICC-sponsored code update seminars — offered periodically when new IPC editions are adopted
• Equipment manufacturer training — particularly for tankless water heaters, PEX systems, and specialty fixtures

For the foundational licensing path — apprentice registration through local trade card exams and MSBOC state contractor licensing — the Mississippi Plumber License Guide covers each step, including the training and experience documentation you'll need at every stage.

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