How to Get a Home Care License
Learn how to get a home care license in your state and start a home care agency of your very own.
Get a Home Care License in your State
Obtaining a home care license is a critical step in starting your home care business. At Certified Homecare Consulting, we simplify the licensing process, ensuring you meet all state requirements and regulations efficiently and effectively. Our team of experienced professionals guides you through each step, from initial application to final approval.
Believe it or not, some states do not require you to obtain a home care license to offer non-medical home care services. Below is a list of each state, their home care license requirements, and relevant contact information. Of course, if you need assistance and want to get a home care license in your state, Certified Homecare Consulting can help. We guarantee your home care agency will get a home care license in your state when you join our home care startup program.
For those of you who would like to obtain licensure on your own, the state-by-state list below is a great guide for you on your journey. Please keep in mind if it gets overwhelming, Certified Homecare Consulting is here for you. Even if you decide to start your home care business without us and get a home care license on your own, do not forget about us when it’s time to purchase your non-medical home care policy and procedure manual. If you plan to get a home care license, you will need customized, state-specific policies and procedures, regardless of the state you are starting your home care agency in.
With over 15 years of experience, Certified Homecare Consulting has helped over 1,000 agencies achieve successful licensure. We provide comprehensive support, including developing customized policies and procedures, preparing for inspections, and ensuring compliance with all regulatory standards. Whether you’re new to the industry or expanding your services, our expertise ensures your home care business is licensed without hassle or delay.
How Do I Get a Home Care License?
Certified Homecare Consulting has been helping people just like you achieve home care and home health care licensure for nearly two decades. In that time, we have assisted hundreds of home health care agencies in obtaining their necessary licenses. While not every state requires home care or home health care licensure, most states do have these requirements. Below, you will find a general overview of the process for starting a home care business and obtaining a home care license. For state-specific information, please scroll to the bottom of the page. For detailed requirements and personalized assistance in your state, call us today.
Before getting a home care license, you need a name for the home care business.
You probably already have a name in mind for your home care business, and if you do, that’s wonderful. If you haven’t chosen a name and registered your business yet, our home health care consultants can handle this for you. If the name you want is already in use or too similar to another home care business in your area, Certified Homecare Consulting will help you choose a unique and impactful name. Additionally, we will design your logo, website, brochures, business cards, and more.
Call us today to learn more about starting your home care business and getting a home care license in your state.
How should your home care business be taxed (Inc vs LLC)?
Most home health care businesses operate as LLCs, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for your unique business. Before proceeding with a home care license application, it’s crucial to choose a name for your business and register your home care agency with the state. Certified Homecare Consulting will handle all of this for you, but it’s important to identify the best business structure for your agency based on your goals and business model.
Home care business plan
Before you get a home care license, it’s essential to create a comprehensive home care business plan. Your business plan will outline your strategy for startup and future growth, detailing your mission, vision, plan for home care licensure, marketing, and more.
Investigating your local market and incorporating your findings into the business plan template we provide is crucial. While our home health care consultants guarantee your home care license and assist you in starting your business, it’s important for you to take ownership of understanding your local market and customizing your business plan. This might seem overwhelming, but our template—used by the very agencies we own—will guide you through the process with ease. Plus, you can call us anytime for assistance.
To purchase our home care or home health care business plan or to find out more about getting a home care license with the help of our consultants, contact us today.
Starting your home care business
Certified Homecare Consulting provides everything you need to start your home care business, both before and after submitting your home care license application. From your SOS filing and articles of incorporation to your EIN, Tax ID, state home care license, home health care license, and accreditation, we handle it all for you. Make starting your home care business easy by choosing Certified Homecare Consulting to help you get your home care license. We are home care license experts in all 50 states.
Insuring your home care business
In most states, you will need to insure your home care business before proceeding with the home care license application and getting a home care license. Many states require the following for home care licensure:
- Surety Bond: For $10,000
- General and Professional Liability Insurance: In the amount of one million dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence with a three million dollars ($3,000,000) aggregate.
- Workers’ Compensation
Getting a home care license in your State
Once you get a home care license, you can begin offering home care services. If you want to offer home health care services, you will need a home health care license. The name of the home care or home health care license varies by state, but regardless of where you live, Certified Homecare Consulting guarantees you will get the necessary license to operate your home care business.
To learn more about Certified Homecare Consulting and starting your home care business, call our home health care consultants for a free, no-hassle consultation. This is your business, and we help you get a home care license and provide you with everything you need for operation. We do not charge franchise fees!
Your home care business may need additional licensure or accreditation
Depending on the state, county, or town you live in, your home care business may require additional licensure or accreditation. Call us for this free information and to learn more about starting your home care agency.
How Do I Get a Home Care License In...
Alabama
Do I need to get a home care license in Alabama? No, you do not need a home care license in Alabama to offer non-medical home care services.
Alabama Department of Human Resources
1-334-242-1310
Alabama Department of Public Health
800-252-1818
http://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/homehealth/
Alabama Primary Health Care Association
888-322-7068
How to get a home care license in Alabama
Alaska
Do I need a to get a home care license in Alaska? Yes. You do need a home care license in Alaska to offer non-medical home care services.
Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
907-465-3030
Alaska Department of Public Health
907-334-2430
How to get a home care license in Alaska
Arizona
Do I need to get a home care license in Arizona? No. You do not need a home care license in Arizona to offer non-medical home care services.
Arizona Department of Economic Security
602-542-4791
http://www.de.state.az.us/
Arizona Department of Health Services
602-542-1025
Arizona Association for Home Care
480-491-0540
How to get a home care license in Arizona
Arkansas
Do I need a to get a home care license in Arkansas? Yes. But you need to apply for a Certificate of Need in Arkansas which can be very hard to obtain.
Arkansas Department of Human Services (ADHS)
501-661-2201
http://www.arkansas.gov/dhhs/homepage.html
How to get a home care license in Arkansas
California
Do I need to get a home care license in California? Yes. You do need a home care license in California to offer non-medical home care services.
California Department of Social Services
916-455-6951
http://www.dss.cahwnet.gov/
California Department of Public Health
916-552-8700
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/
California Association for Health Services at Home
916-641-5795
http://cahsah.org/
How to get a home care license in California
Colorado
Do I need to get a home care license in Colorado? Yes. You do need a home care license in Colorado to offer non-medical home care services.
Colorado Department of Human Services
303-866-5700
http://www.cdhs.state.co.us/
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
303-692-2000
https://www.colorado.gov/cdphe
Home Care Association of Colorado
877-940-7798
http://www.homecareofcolorado.org/
How to get a home care license in Colorado
Connecticut
Do I need to get a home care license in Connecticut? Yes. You do need a home care license in Connecticut to offer non-medical home care services.
Connecticut Department of Social Services
800-824-1508
http://www.ct.gov/dss/site/default.asp
Connecticut Department of Health
860-509-8000
http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/
Connecticut Association for Home Care & Hospice
203- 265-9931
http://www.cthealthcareathome.org/
How to get a home care license in Connecticut
Delaware
Do I need to get a home care license in Delaware? Yes. You do need a home care license in Delaware to offer non-medical home care services.
Delaware Department of Health and Social Services
302-577-4502
http://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/
How to get a home care license in Delaware
District of Columbia (Washington, DC)
Do I need to get a home care license in Washington D.C.? Yes. You do need a home care license in Washington, DC to offer non-medical home care services, but there is a Certificate of Need requirement. A Certificate of Need can be very challenging to acquire.
D.C. Department of Human Services
202-INFO-211 (1-202-463-6211)
http://www.dhs.dc.gov/
Florida
Do I need to get a home care license in Florida? Yes. You do need a home care license in Florida to offer non-medical home care services.
Florida Agency for Health Care Administration
850-488-1295
http://www.fdhc.state.fl.us/
The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration
888-419-3456
http://ahca.myflorida.com/
Home Care Association of Florida
850-222-8967
http://www.homecarefla.org/
How to get a home care license in Florida
Georgia
Do I need to get a home care license in Georgia? Yes. You do need a home care license in Georgia to offer non-medical home care services.
Georgia Department of Human Resources
404-651-6314
http://www.dhr.state.ga.us/
Georgia Department of Health and Human Services
866-782-4584
http://dph.georgia.gov/
The Georgia Association for Home Health Agencies
678-943-2617
http://www.gaccp.org/
How to get a home care license in Georgia
Hawaii
Do I need to get a home care license in Hawaii? No. You do not need a home care license in Hawaii to offer non-medical home care services.
Hawaii Department of Human Services
808-586-4997
http://www.hawaii.gov/dhs
Hawaii State Department of Health
808-586-4400
https://health.hawaii.gov/
Healthcare Association of Hawaii
808-521-8961
http://hah.org/
How to get a home care license in Hawaii
Idaho
Do I need to get a home care license in Idaho? No. You do not need a home care license in Idaho to offer non-medical home care services.
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Public Information Number: 1-208-334-6558
http://www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
http://www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov
Idaho Association for Home Care
208-343-9735
http://www.idhca.org/
How to get a home care license in Idaho
Illinois
Do I need to get a home care license in Illinois? Yes. You do need a home care license in Illinois to offer non-medical home care services.
Illinois Department of Human Services
217-557-1601
http://www.dhs.state.il.us/
Illinois Department of Public Health
217-782-2913
http://www.idph.state.il.us/about/ohcr.htm
How to get a home care license in Illinois
Indiana
Do I need to get a home care license in Indiana? Yes. You do need a home care license in Indiana to offer non-medical home care services.
Indiana Family and Social Services Administration
317-232-7020
http://www.in.gov/fssa
Indiana State Department of Health
317-233-7621
http://www.state.in.us/isdh/
Indiana Association for Home & Hospice Care, LLC
317-775-6675
http://www.iahhc.org/
Indiana Hospice and Palliative Care
http://www.ihpco.org/
How to get a home care license in Indiana
Iowa
Do I need to get a home care license in Iowa? No. You do not need a home care license in Iowa to offer non-medical home care services.
Iowa Department of Human Services
515-281-3147
http://www.dhs.state.ia.us/
Iowa State Department of Health
515-281-7689
https://idph.iowa.gov/
Iowa Alliance in Home Care
515-288-1955
https://www.iahc.org/
How to get a home care license in Iowa
Kansas
Do I need to get a home care license in Kansas? Yes. You do need a home care license in Kansas to offer non-medical home care services.
Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services
785-296-3271
http://www.srskansas.org/
Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services
http://www.kdads.ks.gov/
Kansas Home Care Association
785-78-3640
http://www.kshomecare.org/
How to get a home care license in Kansas
Kentucky
Do I need to get a home care license in Kentucky? Yes. You do need a home care license in Kentucky to offer non-medical home care services.
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services
502-564-7042
http://chfs.ky.gov
How to get a home care license in Kentucky
Louisiana
Do I need to get a home care license in Louisiana? Yes. You do need a home care license in Louisiana to offer non-medical home care services, but there is a Certificate of Need requirement to obtain licensure. The CON process can be overwhelming.
Louisiana Department of Social Services
225-342-7475
http://www.dss.state.la.us/
How to get a home care license in Louisiana
Maine
Do I need to get a home care license in Maine? Yes. You do need a home care license in Maine to offer non-medical home care services.
Maine Department of Health and Human Services
207-287-3707
http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/
How to get a home care license in Maine
Maryland
Do I need to get a home care license in Maryland? Yes. You do need a home care license in Maryland to offer non-medical home care services.
Maryland Department of Human Resources
800-332-6347 or 1-410-767-7109
http://www.dhr.state.md.us/
Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
410-767-6500
https://health.maryland.gov/
Maryland-National Capital Homecare Association
510-527-0780
http://www.mncha.org/
How to get a home care license in Maryland
Massachusetts
Do I need to get a home care license in Massachusetts? No. You do not need a home care license in Massachusetts to offer non-medical home care services.
Massachusetts Department of Social Services
617-748-2000
http://www.mass.gov/dss
Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services
617-727-7600
http://www.mass.gov/eohhs
Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services
617-753-8000
http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dph/programs/hcq/
The Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts
617-482-8830
617-426-0509
http://www.hhcam.org
Michigan
Do I need to get a home care license in Michigan? No. You do not need a home care license in Michigan to offer non-medical home care services.
Michigan Department of Community Health
517-373-3740
http://www.michigan.gov/mdch
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
517-373-1820
http://www.michigan.gov/lara/
Michigan Association for Home Care
517-349-8089
http://www.homecaremi.org/
How to get a home care license in Michigan
Minnesota
Do I need to get a home care license in Minnesota? Yes. You do need a home care license in Minnesota to offer non-medical home care services.
Minnesota Department of Human Services
651-296-6117
http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/
Minnesota Department of Health
651-201-5000
Minnesota Home Care Association
866-607-0607
ttps://www.mnhomecare.org
How to get a home care license in Minnesota
Mississippi
Do I need to get a home care license in Mississippi? No. You do not need a home care license in Mississippi to offer non-medical home care services.
Mississippi Department of Human Services
800-345-6347
http://www.mdhs.state.ms.us/
Mississippi State Department of Health
https://msdh.ms.gov
Mississippi Association for Home Care
https://www.mahc.org
How to get a home care license in Mississippi
Missouri
Do I need to get a home care license in Missouri? No. You do not need a home care license in Missouri to offer non-medical home care services.
Missouri Department of Social Services
800-735-2466
http://www.dss.mo.gov/
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
573-751-6336
http://health.mo.gov/safety/homecare/
Missouri Alliance for Home Care
573-634-7772
http://www.homecaremissouri.org/
How to get a home care license in Missouri
Montana
Do I need to get a home care license in Montana? No. You do not need a home care license in Montana to offer non-medical home care services.
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
406-444-5622
http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/
How to get a home care license in Montana
Nebraska
Do I need to get a home care license in Nebraska? Yes. You do need a home care license in Nebraska to offer non-medical home care services.
Nebraska Health and Human Services System
402-471-9433
http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/
How to get a home care license in Nebraska
Nevada
Do I need to get a home care license in Nevada? Yes. You do need a home care license in Nevada to offer non-medical home care services.
Nevada Department of Human Resources
775-687-4000
http://dhhs.nv.gov/
Nevada Department of Health and Human Services
http://dhhs.nv.gov/
Nevada Health Care Association
702-743-0955
http://www.nvhca.org/
How to get a home care license in Nevada
New Hampshire
Do I need to get a home care license in New Hampshire? Yes. You do need a home care license in New Hampshire to offer non-medical home care services.
New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
603-271-4685
http://www.dhhs.state.nh.us/
How to get a home care license in New Hampshire
New Jersey
Do I need to get a home care license in New Jersey? Yes. You do need a home care license in New Jersey to offer non-medical home care services.
New Jersey Department of Human Services
609-292-5325
http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices
How to get a home care license in New Jersey
New Mexico
Do I need to get a home care license in New Mexico? No. You do not need a home care license in New Mexico to offer non-medical home care services.
New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department
505-827-7602
http://www.cyfd.org/
New Mexico Human Services Department
505-827-7750
http://www.hsd.state.nm.us/
How to get a home care license in New Mexico
New York
Do I need to get a home care license in New York? Yes. You do need a home care license in New York to offer non-medical home care services.
Office of Children & Family Services
http://www.ocfs.state.ny.us/
New York State Department of Health
518-474-5422
http://www.health.state.ny.us/
How to get a home care license in New York
North Carolina
Do I need to get a home care license in North Carolina? Yes. You do need a home care license in North Carolina to offer non-medical home care services.
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
919-733-4534
http://www.dhhs.state.nc.us/
How to get a home care license in North Carolina
North Dakota
Do I need to get a home care license in North Dakota? Yes. You do need a home care license in North Dakota to offer non-medical home care services.
North Dakota Department of Human Services
701-328-2310
http://www.nd.gov/humanservices/
How to get a home care license in North Dakota
Ohio
Do I need to get a home care license in Ohio? No. You do not need a home care license in Ohio to offer non-medical home care services.
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
614-466-6282
http://jfs.ohio.gov/
How to get a home care license in Ohio
Oklahoma
Do I need to get a home care license in Oklahoma? Yes. You do need a home care license in Oklahoma to offer non-medical home care services.
Oklahoma Department of Human Services
405-521-3646
http://www.okdhs.org/
Oklahoma Department of Health
405-271-6576
http://www.ok.gov/health/Protective_Health/Medical_Facilities_Service/
Oklahoma Association for Home Care & Hospice
405-609-6160
https://oahc.memberclicks.net/
How to get a home care license in Oklahoma
Oregon
Do I need to get a home care license in Oregon? Yes. You do need a home care license in Oregon to offer non-medical home care services.
Oregon Department of Human Services
800-422-6012
http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/index.shtml
How to get a home care license in Oregon
Pennsylvania
Do I need to get a home care license in Pennsylvania? Yes. You do need a home care license in Pennsylvania to offer non-medical home care services.
Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW)
717-787-2600
http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/ServicesPrograms/
Pennsylvania Department of Public Health
717-783-1379
https://www.health.pa.gov/
Pennsylvania Homecare Association
800-382-1211
http://www.pahomecare.org/
How to get a home care license in Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Do I need to get a home care license in Rhode Island? Yes. You do need a home care license in Rhode Island to offer non-medical home care services, but a Certificate of Need is required.
Rhode Island Department of Human Services
401-462-2121
http://www.dhs.state.ri.us/
How to get a home care license in Rhode Island
South Carolina
Do I need to get a home care license in South Carolina? No. You do not need a home care license in South Carolina to offer non-medical home care services.
South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
803-898-2500
http://www.state.sc.us/dss/
South Carolina Department of Social Services
803-898-7601
How to get a home care license in South Carolina
Tennessee
Do I need to get a home care license in Tennessee? Yes. You do need a home care license in Tennessee to offer non-medical home care services.
Tennessee Office of Licensure
615-532-6590
http://www.tn.gov/mental
How to get a home care license in Tennessee
Texas
Do I need to get a home care license in Texas? Yes. You do need a home care license in Texas to offer non-medical home care services.
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/
How to get a home care license in Texas
Utah
Do I need to get a home care license in Utah? Yes. You do need a home care license in Utah to offer non-medical home care services.
Utah Department of Health
801-538-6101
http://www.health.state.ut.us/
Utah Department of Human Services
801-538-4001
http://www.dhs.state.ut.us/
How to get a home care license in Utah
Vermont
Do I need to get a home care license in Vermont? No. You do not need a home care license in Vermont to offer non-medical home care services.
Vermont Agency of Human Services
802-241-2220
http://www.ahs.state.vt.us/
How to get a home care license in Vermont
Virginia
Do I need to get a home care license in Virginia? Yes. You do need a home care license in Virginia to offer non-medical home care services.
Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services
804-786-7933
http://www.dmas.virginia.gov/
Virginia Department of Social Services
804-692-1901
http://www.dss.state.va.us/
How to get a home care license in Virginia
Washington
Do I need to get a home care license in Washington? Yes. You do need a home care license in Washington to offer non-medical home care services.
Washington Department of Social and Health Services
360-902-7800
http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/
How to get a home care license in Washington
West Virginia
Do I need to get a home care license in West Virginia? Yes. You do need a home care license in West Virginia to offer non-medical home care services, but a Certificate of Need is required.
West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources
304-558-0684
http://www.wvdhhr.org/
How to get a home care license in West Virginia
Wisconsin
Do I need to get a home care license in Wisconsin? Yes. You do need a home care license in Wisconsin to offer non-medical home care services.
Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services
608-266-9622
http://www.dhfs.state.wi.us/
How to get a home care license in Wisconsin
Wyoming
Do I need to get a home care license in Wyoming? Yes. You do need a home care license in Wyoming to offer non-medical home care services.
Wyoming Department of Health
307-777-7656
http://wdh.state.wy.us/main/index.asp
How to get a home care license in Wyoming
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