Rule 111-8-25-.03. General Licensing Requirements and Fee Schedules

1. (1) No facility shall offer or provide services which are required to be licensed under rules enforced by the department without a current license issued by the department.
2. (2) No license shall be issued by the department unless the facility is in compliance with applicable rules set forth in these rules, specific rules applicable to the particular facility type and all licensure activity fees due the department have been paid.
3. (3) Fees will be assessed to facilities and applicants for licensure for the following licensure activities: processing applications for a new license or a change in ownership, initial license fees, annual licensure activity fees to maintain current license, follow-up visits to periodic inspections, training materials, returned check and mail processing charges and civil monetary penalties.
4. (4) Application for License. An application for a license to provide regulated services shall be submitted on forms made available by the department in a format acceptable to the department. No application shall be acted upon by the department until the application is determined complete by the department with all required attachments and applicable fees submitted.
5. (5) Where the department denies an initial license for non-payment of fees or any other reason, such action may be taken by the department prior to an administrative hearing on the denial being held. The applicant whose license has been denied may obtain an administrative hearing, subsequent to the decision to deny the license, as authorized under Georgia law.
6. (6) Ongoing Licensure Activity Fees. All licenses issued by the department require payment of ongoing licensure activity fees as calculated by the department each state fiscal year, including the state fiscal year that these rules take effect. For annual licenses, such licensure activity fees will be due on the anniversary date of the issuance of the previous year's license. For continuing licenses, such ongoing licensing activity fees will be due October 31st of each state fiscal year. The annual fees shall include the base licensure activity fee and any additional fees incurred during the previous year. Such fees are due and payable to the department within thirty (30) days of receipt of the licensure activity fee invoice. Fees will be calculated by the department in a manner so as to help defray the direct and indirect costs incurred by the department in providing such licensure activities for all programs, but in no event shall exceed such costs.
7. (7) Effective January 31, 2011, the department may revoke any license if the facility has failed to pay the annually recurring licensure activity fees within sixty (60) days of receipt of a written invoice from the department. The revocation action is subject to written notice of the proposed revocation and a right to receive an administrative hearing on the amount past due and owing prior to the revocation action becoming final.

8. (8) Schedule of Fees. Fees collected by the department are not refundable, except in extraordinary circumstances as determined by the department in its sole discretion. The decision of the department as to whether to refund a payment is final and may not be appealed. Payment of fees must be in a form of payment accepted by the department. Some forms of electronic payment may result in an additional convenience charge being added to the licensing fee that is due. Any convenience charge for which the user is responsible must be disclosed to the potential user before completion of the transaction. No cash payments are accepted by the Department. The following schedule of fees applies for the listed licensure activities:

   Licensure Activity Fee Fee Frequency Application Processing Fee, Change in Ownership, Change in Service Level (requiring on site visit), Name Change - Any Program $300 Upon submission Initial Provisional or Regular License (Same as annual licensure activity fee for each program type) Varies by program Submitted with application processing fee Involuntary Application Processing Fee subsequent to unlicensed complaint investigation $550    Follow-up Visit to Periodic Inspection - Any Program $250 License renewal date Licenses and Certificates Adult Day Centers ** $250 (social) $350 (medical) Annually Adult Residential Mental Health Programs** $800 Annually Ambulatory Surgical Treatment Centers ** $750 Annually Assisted Living Communities ** (see Personal Care Homes)       Birthing Centers ** $250 Annually Clinical Laboratories ** $500 Annually Community Living Arrangements ** $350 Annually Drug Abuse Treatment Programs ** $500 Annually End Stage Renal Disease Centers ** Annually    1-12 stations $600 Annually 13-24 stations $1,000 Annually 25 or more $1,100 Annually Stand Alone ESRD Facilities Offering Peritoneal Dialysis Only $800 Annually Eye Banks $250 Annually HMOs (if subject to licensure) $2,000 Annually Home Health Agencies ** $1,000 Annually Hospices ** $1,000 Annually Hospitals ** Annually    CAHS < 25 beds $250 Annually 25 =< 50 beds $750 Annually >50 beds $1,500 Annually Imaging Centers (rules to be developed) ** $3,000 Annually Infirmaries $250 Annually Intermediate Care Facilities/MR (private) ** $250 Annually Memory Care Certificate ** $200 Annually Narcotic Treatment Programs ** $1,500 Annually Nursing Homes ** Annually    1 =< 99 $500 Annually >99 $750 Annually Personal Care Homes ** Annually    < 25 beds $350 Annually 25 =< 50 beds $750 Annually >50 beds $1,500 Annually Private Home Care Providers ** Annually    For each service offered: Companion Sitter, Personal Care and/or Nursing Maximum of $750 $250 (per service) Annually Traumatic Brain Injury Facilities $250 Annually X-Ray Facilities (per machine) $300 Annually Miscellaneous Fees Civil monetary penalties as finally determined Case-by-case basis   Late Fee: Sixty (60) days past due $150 Per instance Lists of Facilities by license type (electronic only) $25 Per request Replacement of Lost Permit $50 Per request Returned check charge - as assessed by bank <$50 Per instance Special handling charges when required (special courier/mailing costs) Cost Per instance Training materials - cost to reproduce for participant $.25 per page, $5 per disc Per participant ** Eligible for a 25% discount if currently accredited by a nationally recognized accreditation organization approved by the department as having standards comparable to specific state licensure requirements, and complete copy of current decision is submitted to the department at the time of renewal or is already on file with the department.

Authority: O.C.G.A. §§ 31-2-4, 31-2-7, 31-2-8, 31-7-3.

History. Original Rule entitled "Definitions" adopted. F. Mar. 17, 2010; eff. Apr. 6, 2010.

Repealed: New Rule entitled "General Licensing Requirements and Fee Schedules" adopted. F. July 14, 2010; eff. August 3, 2010.

Amended: F. Aug. 22, 2012; eff. Sept. 11, 2012.

Amended: F. Apr. 16, 2021; eff. May 6, 2021.

Amended: F. Feb. 18, 2025; eff. Mar. 10, 2025.