Compliance
Do You Need a License to Run a Non-Medical Home Care Agency?
In most states, yes. How the license depends on the services you offer, what six states actually require, what applications ask for, and how to check your state.
Which states require a home care agency license?
Of the 51 states we've verified, 34 require a state license for non-medical home care agencies. Pick a state for the regulator, fees, renewal and governing rule.
Last reviewed October 17, 2026
| State | License required | License |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No | — |
| Alaska | No | Personal Care Services agency certification (Medicaid) |
| Arizona | No | — |
| Arkansas | Yes | Private Care Agency license (Medicaid Personal Care) |
| California | Yes | Home Care Organization (HCO) license |
| Colorado | Yes | Home Care Agency license, Class B (personal care only) |
| Connecticut | Yes | Homemaker-Companion Agency registration |
| Delaware | Yes | Personal Assistance Services Agency license |
| District of Columbia | Yes | Home Care Agency license |
| Florida | Yes | Homemaker and Companion Services registration |
| Georgia | Yes | Private Home Care Provider license |
| Hawaii | Yes | Home Care Agency license |
| Idaho | No | Personal Assistance Agency (Medicaid provider) |
| Illinois | Yes | Home Services Agency license |
| Indiana | Yes | Personal Services Agency license |
| Iowa | No | — |
| Kansas | Yes | Home Health Agency license (supportive care services) |
| Kentucky | Yes | Personal Services Agency certification |
| Louisiana | Yes | Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) provider license, Personal Care Attendant (PCA) module |
| Maine | Yes | Personal Care Agency license |
| Maryland | Yes | Residential Service Agency (RSA) license |
| Massachusetts | Yes | Home Care Agency license |
| Michigan | No | — |
| Minnesota | Yes | Basic Home Care Provider license |
| Mississippi | No | — |
| Missouri | No | — |
| Montana | No | — |
| Nebraska | No | — |
| Nevada | Yes | Agency to provide personal care services in the home |
| New Hampshire | Yes | Home Care Service Provider Agency (HCSPA) license |
| New Jersey | Yes | Health Care Service Firm (HCSF) registration |
| New Mexico | No | — |
| New York | Yes | Licensed Home Care Services Agency (LHCSA) |
| North Carolina | Yes | Home care agency license (hands-on in-home aide services); home assistance services provider license (companion, sitter, respite, and homemaker only) |
| North Dakota | No | — |
| Ohio | Yes | Nonmedical home health services license |
| Oklahoma | Yes | Home care agency license; separate companion or sitter service license |
| Oregon | Yes | In-home care agency license |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | Home care agency license (or home care registry license) |
| Rhode Island | Yes | Home Care Provider license |
| South Carolina | Yes | In-Home Care Provider license |
| South Dakota | No | — |
| Tennessee | Yes | Personal Support Services Agency license |
| Texas | Yes | Home and Community Support Services Agency (HCSSA) license with Personal Assistance Services category |
| Utah | Yes | Personal Care Agency license |
| Vermont | No | — |
| Virginia | Yes | Home Care Organization license |
| Washington | Yes | In-Home Services Agency license (home care category) |
| West Virginia | No | — |
| Wisconsin | No | Personal Care Agency (PCA) Medicaid certification |
| Wyoming | No | — |
How Caregiver Scheduling handles this
Caregiver Scheduling keeps the records inspectors ask for in one place: visit times from geofenced check-in, care plans and AI-drafted visit notes that caregivers review and sign, in a HIPAA-compliant tool. See HIPAA and compliance.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
No. Some states license only home health agencies that provide skilled nursing, and leave companion and personal care agencies unlicensed. Agencies that bill Medicaid still have to enroll and meet the state Medicaid agency’s provider standards.
It depends on the state, from a few weeks for a simple registration to several months where a survey or inspection is required before the license is issued. See each state page for its process.
No. The license comes from the state health or human services agency; Medicaid enrollment is a separate application to the state Medicaid agency or its managed care plans, and usually requires the license first.
Related guides
General
How to Start a Non-Medical Home Care Agency: Step by Step
Ten steps to open a non-medical home care agency, from services and state licensing to insurance, hiring, payers, systems and first clients, with real fees.
Compliance
How Long Does It Take to Get a Home Care License?
Plan on 2 to 6 months in most licensing states. Statutory review clocks are 60 to 90 days, but they start only when your application is complete.
Authorizations
How to Become a Medicaid Provider for Home Care
To bill Medicaid for home care you need a state license, a Type 2 NPI, state Medicaid enrollment and screening, waiver or managed care contracts, EVV and authorizations.
These free tools are made by the team behind Caregiver Scheduling, caregiver scheduling software for home care agencies.
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