A fluid pressure control apparatus includes a pilot control valve configured to control a pilot pressure guided from a pilot pump to the control valve and a load retaining mechanism installed in the main passage. The load retaining mechanism includes an operated check valve configured to permit a flow of the working fluid from the load-side pressure chamber to the control valve in accordance with a back pressure and a switch valve configured to switch an action of the operated check valve. The switch valve has a discharge position configured to discharge the working fluid in a back pressure chamber when the pilot pressure has been guided from the pilot control valve. When the switch valve is set to the discharge position, the working fluid in the back pressure chamber is discharged to a tank via a drain port of the pilot control valve.