Does Virginia require a home care surety bond?

No. Virginia does not require a surety bond for non-medical home care agencies. Licensed home care organizations must carry third-party crime insurance or a blanket fidelity bond of at least $50,000, plus malpractice insurance and at least $1 million general liability per occurrence. No surety bond is named.

For the license itself, see Virginia home care agency licensing.

What is the difference between a surety bond and a fidelity bond?

A surety bond guarantees to the state or a payer that your agency will follow the rules or repay what it owes. A fidelity or employee dishonesty bond protects clients if a caregiver steals from them. Clients and referral sources often ask for the second even where the state requires neither.

What should you confirm with the state?

Training hours for the required DMAS curriculum aren't stated in the regulation; confirm the current requirement with the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Licensure and Certification. Companion-only or homemaker-only programs that don't help with activities of daily living may be exempt from licensing. The rule requires a State Police criminal record report and doesn't mention fingerprints.