Verified October 10, 2026 against the statutes, regulations and sources cited below. The state decides every application. All states
What operators miss in Mississippi
- New applicants must complete DMH Interested Provider Orientation before applying.
- A provider whose certification expires for an unpaid fee must wait 90 days to reapply.
Does Mississippi license behavioral health and addiction treatment programs?
DMH certifies mental health and SUD providers under its Operational Standards and issues Certificates of Operation. Every service and location must be certified before services start. Providers funded by DMH grants must be certified, and other funders may require it.
- State certification
- DMH provider certification (Certificate of Operation)
- Issued by Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH)
Citation: DMH Operational Standards (2024) Rules 2.1, 2.2; Miss. Code Ann. 41-4-7
What does a Mississippi license cost?
- Initial: $150 nonrefundable application fee, then a $300 initial certification fee (as of October 2026)
- Renewal: $300 per certification period (as of October 2026)
Citation: DMH Division of Certification fee notice
How often does a Mississippi license renew?
- Due Fee due within 30 business days of DMH notice, or the certification expires
What does Mississippi require for owners, sales and moves?
- Background screening: DMH does not run background checks; the applicant or certified agency is responsible for them.
Citation: DMH Operational Standards Rule 2.2(H)
What does an opioid treatment program need in Mississippi?
DMH will not certify an OTP, or a later satellite or branch, where existing services already meet the need, judged by population, existing services and other data. An OTP using methadone must also be properly zoned.
- State opioid treatment authority: No agency named on SAMHSA list (Jackson contact at dmh.ms.gov)
- State license: DMH certification of the opioid treatment program.
- State need review
- 5 opioid treatment programs in 2024 (N-SUMHSS)
Citation: DMH Operational Standards Rule 2.2(L)-(M)
Opening or expanding a program in Mississippi?
We confirm what Mississippi requires for your services and levels of care, prepare the application and every attachment for your owner or officer to sign, and track it to a decision. An outpatient program license is $1,995 per site. Every fee is flat and never depends on admissions or census.