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.
Do you need a license to run a home care agency in Florida?
Last verified October 17, 2026 · All Florida resources
Yes. Florida requires a state license to run a non-medical home care agency: the Homemaker and Companion Services registration, issued by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). Anyone who provides companion or homemaker services without providing a home health service is exempt from home health licensure but must register with AHCA. Companions and homemakers may not provide hands-on personal care; personal care (bathing, dressing, transfers) is a home health aide service that requires a home health agency license. The registration fee is $50 per biennium.
What are the key facts?
| License required | Yes |
|---|---|
| License | Homemaker and Companion Services registration |
| Regulator | Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) |
| Fee | $50 per biennium |
| Rule | Fla. Stat. 400.509; Fla. Stat. 400.462 |
How do you get licensed in Florida?
- Register with AHCA as a homemaker and companion service provider
- Pay the $50 biennial fee
- Obtain and verify employment history for workers who will enter clients' homes
- Arrange level 2 background screening for employees and contractors
- Put the AHCA registration number in all advertising
What should you confirm with the state?
Companion and homemaker-only agencies register with AHCA, while agencies that give hands-on personal care need a home health agency license with separate requirements. The registration fee is per two-year period. Confirm any training requirements for companions and homemakers with AHCA.
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.
Sources
More for Florida
Agency licensing by state: other states
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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.
General
Home Care Agency Startup Costs: A Line-by-Line Budget
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