Do you need a license to run a home care agency in District of Columbia?

Yes. District of Columbia requires a state license to run a non-medical home care agency: the Home Care Agency license, issued by the DC Health (Health Regulation and Licensing Administration). Every home care agency serving patients in the District must be licensed under 22-B DCMR Chapter 39. A licensed agency must provide at least one listed service, and 'home health aide or personal care aide services' is one of them, so personal-care-only agencies fall under this license. Agencies must keep an operating office in DC staffed at least eight hours a day, Monday through Friday.

What are the key facts?

How do you get licensed in District of Columbia?

1. Open an operating office in the District, staffed weekdays at least eight hours a day
2. Carry general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence (and malpractice coverage for professional staff)
3. Apply to DC Health for a home care agency license under 22-B DCMR Chapter 39
4. Post the license in the DC operating office

What should you confirm with the state?

The license fee depends on annual patient census, and renewal timing is set in 22-B DCMR Chapter 31; confirm both with DC Health. The agency licensing rule lists 75 hours of aide training, but aides must be certified home health aides through the DC Board of Nursing, whose curriculum requires 125 hours. The law doesn't say whether background checks must be fingerprint-based, so confirm that with DC Health as well.

What should you budget for?

The license fee is a small part of startup cost. Insurance, payroll for your first caregivers before clients pay, and office staff usually cost far more. Use the bill rate calculator to check your pricing covers it, and the intake form and care plan templates for the paperwork inspectors ask to see.