Mississippi
A license is required for any place that provides group living, with food, shelter and personal care, to 4 or more people who are not related to the operator (an 'institution for the aged or infirm'). Personal care homes are licensed as either Residential Living or Assisted Living, each with its own minimum standards; the current versions of both are dated October 2023. Both types operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; the assisted living tier serves residents who need more help and must have nursing coverage.
License categories
Personal care home – residential livingPersonal care home – assisted living
Key laws
Miss. Code Ann. § 43-11-1 et seq.
Institutions for the Aged or Infirm
15 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 16, Subpt. 1, Ch. 47
Minimum Standards for Personal Care Homes – Assisted Living — official text
15 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 16, Subpt. 1, Ch. 48
Minimum Standards for Personal Care Homes – Residential Living — official text
Key requirements
- Resident attendants: at least 1 per 15 or fewer residents from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and 1 per 25 or fewer from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. (Rules 47.11.4 / 48.11.4)
- Assisted living homes must have a licensed nurse on the premises 8 hours a day (Rule 47.11.4)
- Operator must be at least 21 with a high school diploma or GED (Rules 47.11.1 / 48.11.1)
- Direct care employees must be at least 18
- A non-resident employee is responsible for storing medications and keeping a current prescription list (Rule 47.14.4)