How to Start a Landscaping Business in Mississippi (2026)

Last updated: February 25, 2026

Starting a landscaping business in Mississippi involves up to three different licenses depending on what services you offer. If you plant, install, or replace plants for hire, you need a Landscape Horticulturist License from the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) – and the license itself is free, though a $1,000 surety bond is required. If you apply pesticides or herbicides to clients’ lawns or ornamental plants, you need a separate MDAC Commercial Pesticide Applicator certification. And if your projects involve hardscape construction (irrigation systems, retaining walls, grading) above $10,000 on residential property or $50,000 on commercial property, an MSBOC contractor license is required. Basic mowing and maintenance alone requires none of these – just a local business privilege license.

Mississippi Landscaping Business Requirements at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
LLC Formation	Mississippi Secretary of State	$50 (online)	3-5 business days
Landscape Horticulturist License	MDAC Bureau of Plant Industry	Free (license itself)	Pass 2 exams first
Landscape Horticulturist Exam (100 questions)	MDAC BPI	Free (paper) / $55 (computer)	Schedule with BPI
Laws, Regulations & Safety Exam (50 questions)	MDAC BPI	Free (paper) / $55 (computer)	Schedule with BPI
Surety Bond ($1,000)	Surety Bond Company	~$100 flat rate premium	Required with license application
General Liability Insurance	Private Carrier	~$1,500-$3,000/year	Required with license application
Pesticide Category 3 Certification (if spraying)	MDAC BPI Pesticide Program	Free (paper) / $55 (computer)	Pass exam; recertify every 3 years
Pesticide Recertification (every 3 years)	MDAC BPI	$75 in-class session	Every 3 years
Local Business Privilege License	City/County Clerk	Varies by municipality	Before opening
Workers’ Compensation Insurance	Private Carrier	Varies	Required at 5+ employees

How to Start a Landscaping Business in Mississippi (Step by Step)

Step 1: Form Your Mississippi LLC

File a Certificate of Formation with the Mississippi Secretary of State online portal ($50, approximately 3-5 business days). Apply for a free federal EIN at IRS.gov. Mississippi LLCs file a free annual report each April 15.

Step 2: Determine Which Licenses Apply to Your Services

Mississippi landscaping licensing depends entirely on what services you offer. Here is the breakdown:

Service	License Required	Agency
Mowing, edging, basic maintenance only	None (state-level)	Local business privilege license only
Planting, plant installation, ornamental work, floriculture	Landscape Horticulturist License	MDAC Bureau of Plant Industry
Pesticide/herbicide application to client property	Commercial Pesticide Applicator – Category 3	MDAC Pesticide Program
Hardscape, irrigation, grading, retaining walls ($10k+ residential / $50k+ commercial)	MSBOC Contractor License	Mississippi State Board of Contractors

Most full-service landscaping companies need both the Horticulturist License and the Category 3 pesticide certification. Getting licensed early gives you the flexibility to take on a full range of work.

Step 3: Apply for the MDAC Landscape Horticulturist License

The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) Bureau of Plant Industry issues the Landscape Horticulturist License. Contact: P.O. Box 5207, Mississippi State, MS 39762 | mdac.ms.gov/bureaus-departments/bpi

Process:

1. Submit a License Exam Application to MDAC BPI for review and approval
2. After approval, you have 6 months to pass both required exams
3. Pass both exams (details below)
4. Submit proof of surety bond and current general liability insurance
5. License issued; valid for 3 years from date of issuance

The Two Required Exams

Exam	Questions	Passing Score	Paper Fee	Computer Fee
Mississippi Landscape Horticulturist Exam	100 multiple choice	70%	Free at BPI office	$55
Mississippi Laws, Regulations & Safety Exam	50 multiple choice	70%	Free at BPI office	$55

• Paper exams: Available at the BPI office (weekdays, 24-hour notice required) at no cost, OR at quarterly recertification sessions held on the second Tuesday of January, April, July, and October
• Computer-based testing: $55 per exam, available at testing centers

The License Fee: Free

The Landscape Horticulturist License itself has no license fee. Mississippi is unusual in this regard – the state-level license costs nothing. The only costs are the surety bond and insurance.

Step 4: Get Your Surety Bond and Insurance

Both are required before MDAC will issue your license:

Surety Bond:

• Amount: $1,000
• Must remain valid throughout the full 3-year license period
• Annual premium: approximately $100 flat rate from any surety bond company (no credit check required for bonds this small)
• Available from national surety companies such as suretybonds.com, bondexchange.com, etc.

General Liability Insurance:

• Proof of current coverage required with your application
• No specific minimum is published by MDAC for the horticulturist license, but $300,000-$500,000 per occurrence is standard for landscaping
• Must be maintained for the license to remain active
• Typical cost: $1,500-$3,000/year for a small landscaping company

Step 5: Get Pesticide Applicator Certification (if Applying Chemicals)

If your business applies any pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or insecticides to client property, you need MDAC pesticide certification. This is separate from the horticulturist license.

Which Category Applies:

• Category 3 – Ornamental and Turf Pest Control: The primary category for landscapers treating lawns, trees, shrubs, and ornamental plants
• If you separately charge clients for pest/weed control as a distinct service, a Weed and Pest Control License from MDAC may also be required

Process:

1. Purchase the General Standards (core) manual and the Category 3 manual from MDAC BPI
2. Pass the General Core exam AND the Category 3 exam
3. Paper exams: free at BPI office (weekdays, 24-hour advance notice required)
4. Computer-based exams: $55 per exam at testing centers (schedule via metrosignup.com or 877-533-2900)

Recertification: Pesticide applicator certifications expire every 3 years. Three renewal options:

• In-class recertification session: $75 registration fee (held quarterly)
• Online recertification (available for select categories)
• Pre-approved recertification events

More information: mdac.ms.gov – Commercial Applicator Certification

Step 6: Get Business Insurance and Local Permits

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Mississippi requires workers’ compensation insurance when you have 5 or more employees (including part-time). Landscaping work carries significant physical risks – outdoor work, equipment operation, chemical exposure, heat illness, lifting injuries. Voluntary coverage is strongly advisable even below the threshold. Regulated by the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission at mwcc.ms.gov.

Commercial Auto Insurance

Required for vehicles used in your business. Personal auto policies exclude commercial use. If you tow trailers with equipment, ensure the trailer is covered.

Local Business Privilege License

Every city and county in Mississippi requires a Business Privilege License before you conduct business. Contact your local city or county clerk for the application and current fee schedule. Fees vary by jurisdiction.

Mississippi Sales Tax on Landscaping

Important: Landscaping installation work (planting, sodding, grading) is taxable in Mississippi at the 7% state sales tax rate. Basic maintenance services (mowing) may be treated differently. Register for sales tax through the Mississippi DOR TAP portal and consult the DOR for your specific service mix.

Startup Cost Breakdown: Mississippi Landscaping Business

Item	Cost	Notes
LLC Formation	$50	Mississippi SOS online filing; 3-5 business days
Landscape Horticulturist License	Free	No license fee; exams are free (paper) or $55 each (computer)
Surety Bond ($1,000)	~$100/year	Flat rate premium; required for license
Category 3 Pesticide Certification	Free (paper) / $55/exam (computer)	Required if you apply pesticides to clients
Pesticide Recertification (every 3 years)	$75	In-class session; other options available
General Liability Insurance	$1,500-$3,000/year	Required for horticulturist license; $300k+ recommended
Commercial Auto Insurance	$1,500-$3,000/year	Required for business vehicle use
Local Business Privilege License	Varies	Contact your city or county clerk
Commercial Mower	$3,000-$15,000	Walk-behind or zero-turn; new vs. used
Trailer	$2,000-$5,000	For hauling equipment; open or enclosed
Hand Tools and Equipment	$1,000-$3,000	Trimmers, blowers, edgers, spreaders, sprayers
Truck/Vehicle (if needed)	$15,000-$40,000	Used 1-ton truck is common entry point

Estimated startup cost (basic plant + spray services): $25,000-$65,000

Related Mississippi Business Guides

• How to Start a Cleaning Service in Mississippi
• How to Start a Food Truck in Mississippi
• How to Start a Daycare in Mississippi
• How to Start an HVAC Business in Mississippi
• How to Start a Hair Salon in Mississippi
• How to Start a Private Investigation Business in Mississippi

← Back to all Mississippi business guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license to start a landscaping business in Mississippi?

It depends on your services. If you only provide mowing, edging, and basic maintenance – no state license is required. If you plant or install plants, ornamentals, or floriculture for hire, you need an MDAC Landscape Horticulturist License (the license itself is free). If you apply pesticides or herbicides to client property, you also need an MDAC Category 3 Commercial Pesticide Applicator certification. All businesses need a local Business Privilege License from their city or county clerk.

How much does the Mississippi Landscape Horticulturist License cost?

The license itself is free – Mississippi charges no fee for the Landscape Horticulturist License. However, you must pass two exams (free if taken on paper at the BPI office; $55 each if computer-based), obtain a $1,000 surety bond (premium around $100), and maintain general liability insurance. Contact MDAC Bureau of Plant Industry at mdac.ms.gov.

Do I need a pesticide license to apply weed killer in Mississippi?

Yes, if you apply pesticides to client property for hire. Any landscaping business that applies herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, or other pesticides to clients’ lawns, trees, or ornamental plants must hold MDAC Commercial Pesticide Applicator certification in Category 3 (Ornamental and Turf Pest Control). Paper exams are free; computer-based exams are $55 each. Certification must be renewed every 3 years. Contact MDAC BPI for details at mdac.ms.gov.

Is landscaping work taxable in Mississippi?

Yes, in part. Landscaping installation (planting, sodding, grading, installing ornamentals) is subject to Mississippi’s 7% sales tax. Basic lawn maintenance services may be treated differently. Because Mississippi’s landscaping tax rules can be nuanced depending on your contract structure, consult the Mississippi Department of Revenue at dor.ms.gov for guidance on your specific services.

Do landscapers need workers’ compensation in Mississippi?

Workers’ compensation is required when you have 5 or more employees in Mississippi. Unlike some states, Mississippi does not have a separate lower threshold for outdoor or construction work – the 5-employee threshold applies across all industries. Landscaping is a physically demanding field with real injury risks, so voluntary coverage is strongly recommended even below 5 employees. Regulated by the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission at mwcc.ms.gov.

When do I need an MSBOC contractor license for landscaping?

An MSBOC contractor license is required when your landscaping work includes construction-related elements and exceeds the dollar thresholds: $10,000 on residential remodeling/additions, or $50,000 on commercial property. This applies to irrigation system installation, retaining walls, drainage systems, hardscape construction, and similar work. Basic planting and maintenance well below these thresholds does not require an MSBOC license. Contact MSBOC at msboc.us for specifics.