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 Michigan?
Last verified October 17, 2026 · All Michigan resources
No. Michigan does not require a state license for non-medical home care agencies. Michigan does not license home health agencies, so non-medical home care agencies have no state license either. LARA only surveys agencies that seek Medicare/Medicaid certification on behalf of CMS. Agencies serving Medicaid clients enroll as providers separately.
What are the key facts?
| License required | No |
|---|---|
| Regulator | Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) |
What should you confirm with the state?
Michigan doesn't require a state license for home health or non-medical home care agencies. If you plan to serve Medicaid clients, confirm enrollment, training, and background screening requirements with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
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 Michigan
Agency licensing by state: other states
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.
General
Home Care Agency Startup Costs: A Line-by-Line Budget
What it costs to open a non-medical home care agency: real state license fees, insurance minimums, office, hiring, software and the working capital most owners underestimate.
These free tools are made by the team behind Caregiver Scheduling, caregiver scheduling software for home care agencies.
Simple pricing
From $199 /month
Up to 10 caregivers on Starter, 50 on Growth.
More than 50 caregivers? We'll put together a custom Scale plan for your agency.