Mississippi Child Care Centers and Homes License: Requirements, Cost & How to Apply (2026)

Mississippi State Department of Health, Bureau of Child Care Licensure

Mississippi State Department of Health, Bureau of Child Care Licensure

Mississippi State Department of Health ... Bureau of Child Care Licensure

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://www.msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/index.cfm/30,19112,183,776,html

New Child Care Facility License Application: Start Here

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://www.msdhcc.webapps.ms.gov/newapplication/default.aspx

To begin the licensing process, please fill out an online application at: https://www.msdhcc.webapps.ms.gov/newapplication/default.aspx

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Facility directors: at least 21 years old.

Facility directors: at least 21 years old.

the director must: 1. Be at least twenty-one years of age

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Director qualifications include specified degree or credential/experience pathways; one option is a bachelor's degree in early childhood education, child development, elementary education, child care, special education or another specified child-related field.

Director qualifications include specified degree or credential/experience pathways; one option is a bachelor's degree in early childhood education, child development, elementary education, child care, special education or another specified child-related field.

Meet one of the following education and/or experience requirements: A. A bachelor's degree in early childhood education, child development, elementary education, child care, special education, psychology (with emphasis on child psychology), or family and consumer sciences (with emphasis on child development), or equivalent degree from another child-related field or course of study.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Under the center regulations, a facility without liability insurance must keep a parent-signed acknowledgment in the child's record.

Under the center regulations, a facility without liability insurance must keep a parent-signed acknowledgment in the child's record.

If a facility does not provide liability insurance there shall be a statement in the child’s record, signed by the parent indicating that the parent is aware that the facility does not carry liability insurance.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

15 hours

15

All child care staff, directors, director designees, and caregivers shall be required to complete 15 contact hours of staff development, accrued during the licensure year, annually.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Recommended topics: health and safety, child growth/development, nutrition, learning activities, guidance/discipline, community services, family communication, child abuse detection, advocacy and professional issues.

Recommended topics: health and safety, child growth/development, nutrition, learning activities, guidance/discipline, community services, family communication, child abuse detection, advocacy and professional issues.

Training should address the following: a. Health and safety. b. Child growth and development. c. Nutrition. d. Planning learning activities. e. Guidance and discipline techniques. f. Linkages with community services. g. Communications and relations with families. h. Detection of child abuse. i. Advocacy for early childhood programs. j. Professional issues.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

File the above with the licensing agency at least 30 days before the expiration date on the license.

File the above with the licensing agency at least 30 days prior to the expiration date on the license. Applies to: Annual renewal of licensed centers

The licensing agency shall issue licenses that may be renewed annually. ... File the above with the licensing agency at least 30 days prior to the expiration date on the license.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Licensing generally covers care for six or more unrelated children under age 13, including centers and qualifying homes; statutory exemptions apply.

Licensing generally covers care for six or more unrelated children under age 13, including centers and qualifying homes; statutory exemptions apply.

A license is required if you care for six or more children who are less than thirteen years of age, for any amount of time of the day or night, who are not related to you (children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers/sisters, nieces/nephews).

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Homes serving five or fewer unrelated children under age 13 are exempt from licensure and may register voluntarily.

Homes serving five or fewer unrelated children under age 13 are exempt from licensure and may register voluntarily.

Any family child care home defined in Mississippi Code Section 43-20-53 (a) et seq. ... five (5) or fewer children who are not related within the third degree computed according to the civil law to the provider and who are under 13 years of age ... These homes may be voluntarily registered with the Mississippi State Department of Health.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Center application fee: $130. Government agencies are exempt from fees other than fingerprinting; contractors remain subject to fees.

Center application fee: $130. Government agencies are exempt from fees other than fingerprinting; contractors remain subject to fees.

Application Fee ... $130.00 ... Except for the fingerprinting fee, no governmental entity or agency that operates a child care facility shall be required to pay the fees set forth in this section. Third party providers that contract with a state agency for the provision of child care services are subject to all fees

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Center initial and renewal license fees by capacity: 12 or fewer, $97.50; 13–30, $195; 31–50, $260; 51–100, $390; 101–150, $455; 151 or more, $520. Government fee exemptions apply.

Center initial and renewal license fees by capacity: 12 or fewer, $97.50; 13–30, $195; 31–50, $260; 51–100, $390; 101–150, $455; 151 or more, $520. Government fee exemptions apply.

Initial Licensure Fee ... Maximum capacity 12 or fewer ... $ 97.50 ... Maximum capacity 13 to 30 ... $195.00 ... Maximum capacity 31 to 50 ... $260.00 ... Maximum capacity 51 to 100 ... $390.00 ... Maximum capacity 101 to 150 ... $455.00 ... Maximum capacity 151 or more ... $520.00 ... Renewal Fee ... Maximum capacity 12 or fewer ... $ 97.50 ... Maximum capacity 13 to 30 ... $195.00 ... Maximum capacity 31 to 50 ... $260.00 ... Maximum capacity 51 to 100 ... $390.00 ... Maximum capacity 101 to 150 ... $455.00 ... Maximum capacity 151 or more ... $520.00

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Application Fee ... $130.00 ... Initial Licensure Fee ... $ 97.50 ... Renewal Fee ... $ 97.50 ... Except for the fingerprinting fee, no governmental entity or agency that operates a child care facility must be required to pay the fees set forth in this section.

Licensed facilities for 12 or fewer children in the operator's home: $130 application fee and $97.50 initial/renewal fee, subject to government exemptions.

Application Fee ... $130.00 ... Initial Licensure Fee ... $ 97.50 ... Renewal Fee ... $ 97.50 ... Except for the fingerprinting fee, no governmental entity or agency that operates a child care facility shall be required to pay the fees set forth in this section.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Licensed homes also require 15 annual staff-development hours.

Licensed homes also require 15 annual staff-development hours.

All child care staff, directors, director designees, and caregivers shall be required to complete 15 contact hours of staff development, accrued during the licensure year, annually.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Licensed home renewals are annual; submit the renewal form, required inspection/approval certificates and fee at least 30 days before expiration.

Licensed home renewals are annual; submit the renewal form, required inspection/approval certificates and fee at least 30 days before expiration.

The licensing agency shall issue licenses that may be renewed annually. ... Complete the renewal form. ... Submit all certificates of inspection and approval required by the licensing agency. ... Enclose the renewal fee. ... File the above with the licensing agency at least 30 days prior to the expiration date on the license.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026