Mississippi Childcare Licensing
Mississippi Childcare Licensing Fees (2026)
Mississippi childcare licensing carries an application fee at first licensure and, in most cases, a recurring fee at renewal. The initial license application fee is $130.00, and it is the same for a child care facility for 12 or fewer children in the operator's home as for a child care center (MSDH center Rule 1.2.4(1) and home Rule 2.2.4(1), Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-8).
Licensing Agency
Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), Child Care Facilities Licensure Branch (Bureau of Child Care Facilities) →Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamMississippi Licensing Fees: The Specifics
The initial license application fee is $130.00, and it is the same for a child care facility for 12 or fewer children in the operator's home as for a child care center (MSDH center Rule 1.2.4(1) and home Rule 2.2.4(1), Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-8).
MSDH center Rule 1.2.4(1) and home Rule 2.2.4(1), Source: Miss
The license renewal fee for a center is paid annually and is tiered by licensed capacity: $97.50 for a maximum capacity of 12 or fewer, $195.00 for 13-30, $260.00 for 31-50, $390.00 for 51-100, $455.00 for 101-150, and $520.00 for 151 or more (home-based facilities pay the flat $97.50 tier)
home-based facilities pay the flat $97.50 tier
licenses are renewed annually (MSDH center Rule 1.2.4(3) and Rule 1.2.7
3
home Rule 2.2.4(3) and Rule 2.2.8, Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-8).
Miss. Code Ann. § 4
Mississippi Licensing Fees at a Glance
| Application fee | The initial license application fee is $130.00, and it is the same for a child care facility for 12 or fewer children in the operator's home as for a child care center (MSDH center Rule 1.2.4(1) and home Rule 2.2.4(1), Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-8). |
|---|---|
| Renewal fee | The license renewal fee for a center is paid annually and is tiered by licensed capacity: $97.50 for a maximum capacity of 12 or fewer, $195.00 for 13-30, $260.00 for 31-50, $390.00 for 51-100, $455.00 for 101-150, and $520.00 for 151 or more (home-based facilities pay the flat $97.50 tier); licenses are renewed annually (MSDH center Rule 1.2.4(3) and Rule 1.2.7; home Rule 2.2.4(3) and Rule 2.2.8, Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-8). |
Go Deeper
Generate a Mississippi-Compliant Handbook
TotReady builds a fully compliant parent handbook for your Mississippi childcare center in minutes — every required section, your branding, and regulatory citations included.
Mississippi Licensing Fees: Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Mississippi childcare license cost?
The initial license application fee is $130.00, and it is the same for a child care facility for 12 or fewer children in the operator's home as for a child care center (MSDH center Rule 1.2.4(1) and home Rule 2.2.4(1), Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-8).
What is the Mississippi childcare license renewal fee?
The license renewal fee for a center is paid annually and is tiered by licensed capacity: $97.50 for a maximum capacity of 12 or fewer, $195.00 for 13-30, $260.00 for 31-50, $390.00 for 51-100, $455.00 for 101-150, and $520.00 for 151 or more (home-based facilities pay the flat $97.50 tier); licenses are renewed annually (MSDH center Rule 1.2.4(3) and Rule 1.2.7; home Rule 2.2.4(3) and Rule 2.2.8, Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-8).
Are Mississippi licensing fees refundable?
In most states, licensing application fees are non-refundable even if the application is denied or withdrawn. Confirm the refund policy with the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), Child Care Facilities Licensure Branch (Bureau of Child Care Facilities) before paying.
Mississippi childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Mississippi administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), Child Care Facilities Licensure Branch (Bureau of Child Care Facilities) before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.