It wouldn't be able to invoke ops from its start() method -- it would have to use a separate thread and not block start() waiting for that thread to complete its task. If a service (i.e. this MC bean) that is installed as part of executing a management op (i.e. deploying an MC deployment) tries to invoke an management op during its start() method, it will deadlock the management layer. So it's forbidden. See https://issues.jboss.org/browse/AS7-876 https://issues.jboss.org/browse/AS7-876 for what happens when it's attempted.