Division of Certification

Mississippi Department of Mental Health Division of Certification

The Division of Certification (i.e. the Division) is responsible for developing and managing the application, certification, and compliance processes for providers seeking to obtain and maintain DMH provider certification. Major duties of the Division include (but are not limited to):

Standards
Applications
Orientation
Compliance
Major duties of the Division include
(but are not limited to):
  • Assists in the development and promulgation of the DMH Operational Standards rules and requirements pertaining to DMH provider certification.
  • Administers DMH Interested Provider Orientation.
  • Processes applications for DMH provider certification and related forms and fees.
  • Assists the public and DMH-certified providers with information pertaining to DMH provider certification.
  • Manages provider compliance activities and compliance report compilation and dissemination.
  • Maintains a registry of DMH-certified providers and provides verification of DMH provider certification, as appropriate.
  • Issues DMH provider Certificates of Operation and regulates the use of DMH provider Certificates of Operation.
  • Facilitates DMH Certification Review Committee (CRC) meetings and related matters.

To view DMH Operational Standards, as well as other documents, CLICK HERE.

Application: Interested providers must complete the DMH Interested Provider Orientation, submit required documentation, and meet standards outlined in the DMH Operational Standards.

Compliance: Certified providers must comply with state and federal regulations and DMH Operational Standards.

Site Visits & Reviews: DMH conducts routine site visits and administrative reviews to ensure continued compliance.

Staff Qualifications: Providers must ensure their staff meet qualification standards and maintain continuing education.

Program Requirements: DMH sets specific requirements for the services offered, ensuring quality and safety.

Provider Certification Fees

DMH Operational Standard Rule 2.4

Interested Providers

$150.00 non-refundable fee for interested providers

Interested Providers must submit an initial, nonrefundable fee of $150.00. After submitting an initial application for DMH Certification, the applicant will be contacted in writing by DMH notifying the interested agency provider of the fee.

The fee must be submitted and received by to DMH prior to DMH review of the submitted initial application and supporting documentation. If the fee is not received by DMH within 30 business days of DMH notifying the interested agency provider, the application will be voided. Interested agency providers whose applications are voided due to failure to submit the fee must wait 90 business days before reapplication.

This fee applies to the initial application for certification and any other subsequent initial applications an interested agency provider may submit due to being voided or denied.

Providers Approved for Initial Certification

Approved providers pay $300.00 for the Certificate of Operation

A provider that is approved for Initial Certification must submit an Initial Certification fee of $300.00 to become fully certified. The provider will be contacted in writing by DMH notifying the provider of the fee.

The fee must be submitted and received by DMH prior to DMH’s issuance of a Certificate of Operation. If the fee is not received within 30 business days of DMH notifying the provider, initial certification will be voided.

Providers whose certification has been voided due to failure to submit the fee must wait 90 days before reapplication.

Certified Providers
(Certification Renewal)

$300.00 fee required for renewing certified providers

DMH providers seeking Certificates of Operation Renewal per Operational Standards Rule 4.2 must submit a fee of $300.00 for every certification period. Providers who are eligible for certification renewal must submit the fee within 30 business days of being notified by DMH.

The fee must be submitted and received by DMH prior to DMH’s issuance of a renewal Certificate of Operation. If the fee is not received within 30 business days of DMH notifying the provider, the provider will have their certification automatically changed to Expired status, effective the last day of the ending certification period.

Expired status means the certification is expired, and the certification is no longer valid. Providers whose certification has expired due to failure to submit the fee must wait 90 days before reapplication.

Interested Providers

New agency providers (i.e., Interested Agency Providers) who are not already certified by DMH and who desire to become a DMH-certified provider of mental health, IDD, and/or substance use disorder (SUD) services should review the current DMH Operational Standards. Following review of the DMH Operational Standards, an agency interested in becoming a new DMH-certified provider must begin the application process by successfully completing DMH Interested Provider Orientation, per the instructions outlined in the Interested Provider Orientation Portal. As part of the Interested Provider Orientation, DMH Interested Agency Providers will submit attestation that the provider has reviewed the current DMH Operational Standards, along with other attestations required during the application process. The DMH Interested Provider Orientation is made available via a web-based portal on the DMH website. Following successful completion of the DMH Interested Provider Orientation, the DMH Interested Agency Provider seeking DMH certification must submit the required DMH application and supporting documentation and adhere to the timelines and procedures for application. The initial application packet (including all required materials) must be submitted through the Interested Provider portal, per the instructions outlined in the portal. The complete Interested Agency Provider application packet must contain all required application submissions, as outlined in the Orientation portal, and these items must be complete, as determined by DMH.

Interested Provider Orientation consists of a general introduction of DMH and the Certification Division; training sessions based on service type (i.e. Adult Mental Health Services, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Services, Substance Use Community Services, and Children and Youth Services); Certification requirements that apply to all DMH-certified providers; information on how to become a Medicaid provider; and all other relevant information, documentation, forms, guides and expectations to become a DMH-certified provider.

For more information on the Application Process for New/Interested Providers, please refer to the DMH Operational Standards Rule 2.8 or the Interested Provider Process Guide.

NOTICE: Updates are currently being made to the Interested Provider Orientation Portal. Access to the Orientation will be made available in the near future.

Documents
Mississippi Department of Mental Health Certification Review Committee (CRC)

The CRC interprets and enforces DMH Operational Standards, oversees provider certifications, and addresses compliance and non-compliance issues.

The DMH Certification Review Committee’s (CRC’s) composition and appointment:
  • The CRC is a DMH-internal committee that interprets and enforces the DMH Operational Standards.
  • The CRC is comprised of nine (9) members. 
  • Attempts are made to ensure adequate representation among disciplines and programmatic types.
  • Appointments are made by the DMH Executive Director.
  • DMH Staff currently serving on the CRC are: Chief Clinical Officer for the Bureau of IDD Services, Chief of Staff, Chief Legal Counsel, Chief Information Officer, Division Director of Peer Recovery and Support, Bureau Director of Crisis Services, Division Director for Adult Services,  Division Director for ID/DD Waiver Programs, and Chief Clinical Diversion Officer. 
  • A non-voting DMH staff member serves as the committee facilitator.
The CRC’s purpose and powers are as follows:
  • The CRC may consult with the Division of Certification and other DMH programmatic areas in the review of provider certification applications, as needed, and make determinations regarding the awarding or denial of certification.
  • The CRC may provide consultation pertaining to DMH’s provider grievances and complaints investigation processes (as necessary) and may render decisions accordingly.
  • The CRC reviews and makes decisions pertaining to issues of provider noncompliance.
  • The CRC reviews and makes decisions pertaining to waiver requests.
  • The CRC has the authority to impose sanctions on provider Certificates of Operation.
  • The CRC may receive and render decisions regarding special requests pertaining to DMH provider certification.
  • The CRC assists the Division of Certification with rules interpretation and provider certification questions.
  • The CRC assists DMH in developing applicable DMH provider certification rules and requirements and engages in continued studies of best practices pertaining to DMH provider certification, with a view of improving rules as needed.
  • The CRC, in conjunction with the Division of Certification, may periodically develop and promulgate additional rules and requirements, provider notices, and administrative policies and procedures as it deems necessary for the execution and enforcement of applicable federal and state laws and the DMH Operational Standards.

For more information about the CRC, please refer to Rule 1.7 in the DMH Operational Standards.

Providers

Mississippi residents can find DMH Certified Providers offering mental health, IDD, and substance abuse services through the link below. Follow the link below to open a new page and search for services by county through the dropdown menu that you will see there. 

Click Here for DMH Certified Providers

Mental Health MS

The Mental Health Mississippi web site and app were were developed to help Mississippians more easily search for mental health services and to serve as a hub of information for all mental health resources available in our state. We encourage you to browse the site to find services  available in your area, including those for crisis situations.

However, please know that Mental Health Mississippi focuses primarily on mental health providers, though some of these providers may also provide alcohol and drug addiction services. These providers also may or may not be certified through the Mississippi Department of Mental Health.

Visit Mental Health MS

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Helpful Guides

Access all guides below.

Certification Forms

Access all certification forms below.

Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH)
Division of Certification
801 Robert E. Lee Building, 239 N. Lamar Street
Jackson, MS 39201
Phone: 601-359-1288
Email: certification@dmh.ms.gov