Alaska · Division of Health Care Services Licensing
Start a Home Care Agency in Alaska
From application to approval, we handle your Division of Health Care Services licensing — then hand you the platform to run your agency from day one. Most consultancies disappear when your license arrives. We keep going.
Want to open a non-medical home care agency in Alaska? You need a HHA License (Medical/Medicaid) or Unlicensed (Non-Medical Private Pay) from the Alaska Department of Health. Our estimate: 60–120 days for provisional approval plus an on-site survey. State filing fees total $0 and are paid directly to Division of Health Care Services.
Non-medical home care agencies do not require a CON in Alaska.
Medicaid Program
Medicaid Waiver (SDS)
Plus the Personal Care Assistance (PCA) for qualifying providers.
Home Care License Type in Alaska
Alaska regulates home-based care under several license categories. Most new founders start with a Medical/Medicaid License for non-medical care, then add skilled services later if they choose.
NON-MEDICAL
HHA License (Medical/Medicaid) or Unlicensed (Non-Medical Private Pay)
Important: The Division of Health Care Services oversees licensed Home Health Agencies (HHAs) and other licensed health facilities — not non-medical private-pay agencies.
Personal care and daily living assistance
Companionship and homemaker services
Medication reminders (not administration)
Transportation and errand assistance
Respite care for family caregivers
State fee:
No State License Fee (Non-Medical)
Timeline:
N/A for provisional approval
Regulator:
Alaska Department of Health
How to Get Licensed in Alaska
Alaska licensing follows a structured 5-step process through Division of Health Care Services. Our specialists handle all 5 steps in the Launch and Signature packages; in the Licensing Kit, you handle the submission yourself with our expert guidance.
60–120 days from start to provisional approval
1
FOUNDATION
2
INSURANCE
3
POLICIES
4
APPLICATION
5
SURVEY
1
Discipline Determination
FOUNDATION
Decide between Skilled Nursing (HHA) or PCA (Personal Care Assistance) Medicaid Waiver path.
2
NABCS Portal Setup
INSURANCE
Register for the New Alaska Background Check System (NABCS) to screen staff. Required for licensed HHAs and Medicaid providers. Private-pay agencies are not required to use NABCS but may choose to do so voluntarily, and some insurers may require it.
3
Policy Development
POLICIES
Create electronic policies matching 7 AAC 12.500 standards for HHAs.
4
Provisional App Submission
APPLICATION
Submit HHA packet and pay fee based on Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) count. Add $500 per branch/subunit location. You start with a provisional license. The full license is biennial. It runs from July 1 of an even-numbered year to June 30 two years later (7 AAC 12.610(d)).
5
State Review & Onsite
SURVEY
Division of Health Care Services conducts an application audit followed by an onsite inspection.
Why Alaska Founders Choose HomeCareAtlas
The biggest difference between us and traditional consultancies isn't the license — it's what happens after the license arrives.
Traditional Consultant
HomeCareAtlas
Pricing
A mystery sales process and hard upsells
Clear packages built for your goals
Policies & Procedures
Generic templates
Built around your state and your service model
Application Filing
You assemble the packet
Done-for-you in Launch and Signature
Survey Day
You're on your own
On-call phone support during your state visit
After License Arrives
Relationship ends
Platform, dashboard, and directory listing go live
Caregiver Onboarding
Not included
Digital onboarding ready for hire #1
Compliance Tracking
You build a spreadsheet
Live compliance dashboard included
Directory Presence
None
Listed on Carezano the day you open
Three Ways to Get Your Alaska Agency Licensed
Pick the level of support that matches how hands-on you want to be. Alaska state fees ($0 to Division of Health Care Services) are passed through at cost.
Alaska charges a state application fee, paid directly to the state licensing body. We don't mark it up.
Want to see pricing? We share it on your free 15-minute call. Pick a time →
The Platform That Comes With Your License
Every tier includes free time on Home Care Atlas — the operating system for your new agency. This is the part other Alaska consultancies don't offer.
Alaska Licensing Workspace
Track your application, documents, and deadlines in one dashboard. Your Atlas specialist works in the same view you do.
Custom Alaska P&P Manual
Written around your state's rules, your service model, and your agency — not a generic national template. Survey-ready before you file.
Business Formation
LLC, EIN, NPI, surety bond, and insurance — all tracked and handled in Launch and Signature packages.
Compliance Dashboard
From caregiver #1 onward, every certification, background check, and required document is tracked with automatic expiration alerts.
Caregiver Onboarding
I-9, W-4, direct deposit, and required background-check verifications — all collected digitally.
Carezano Directory Listing
Listed on our public directory the day you open. Local families find you, referral partners find you, you're visible from day one.
Common Questions Before You Book
Do I really not need a license for private-pay non-medical care?
Correct. Alaska's licensing law (AS 47.32.010) lists home health agencies, but not non-medical home care. You need a general Alaska business license, any local business registration, insurance, and normal employer rules. You do not need a state home care license. Note: HB 1 (31st Legislature) proposed licensing these agencies but did not pass.
What is the HHA provisional fee?
It is the fee for a new home health agency's provisional license. It is based on your number of full-time staff: $1,000 (≤5 FTEs) to $3,000 (51+ FTEs), plus $500 per branch/subunit. Two-year license fees are higher: $2,000 to $6,000 plus $1,000 per branch/subunit (7 AAC 12.615). This applies only to licensed HHAs, not private-pay non-medical agencies.
Is the surety bond part of the HHA license?
No. The state HHA license has no bond. A federal rule (42 CFR § 441.16) has a Medicaid surety bond rule for home health agencies. We could not confirm Alaska enforces it. Ask Alaska Medicaid when you enroll.
Do I need NABCS background checks for a private-pay agency?
NABCS is required for licensed HHAs and Medicaid providers. Private-pay agencies are not required to use NABCS but may choose to do so voluntarily. Some liability insurers may require it as a condition of coverage.
Is remote care allowed in Alaska?
There is no state rule against it for private-pay non-medical care. Telehealth is common in Alaska because of the long distances. Medicaid programs have their own rules, so check with SDS.
What qualifications does an HHA administrator need?
Under 7 AAC 12.510, HHA administrators must have relevant healthcare education, experience, and at least one year of administrative experience in home health care or a related program. There is no standardized hour-based certification course. This requirement applies only to licensed HHAs, not private-pay agencies.
Alaska Home Care Licensing: What You Need to Know
Important: The Division of Health Care Services oversees licensed Home Health Agencies (HHAs) and other licensed health facilities — not non-medical private-pay agencies. Alaska has a unique regulatory split. If you provide skilled medical services (nursing, therapy), an HHA license is mandatory under AS 47.32 and 7 AAC 12. Medicaid personal care is a separate path: SDS certifies PCA agencies under 7 AAC 125. However, non-medical private-pay home care does not currently require a state license, making it the fastest path to market. Note: HB 1 (31st Legislature, 2019) proposed licensing in-home personal care services agencies, but this bill did not pass. As of November 2026, non-medical private-pay still has no state license. A 2026 bill (HB 96) would have set up a Home Care Employment Standards Advisory Board, but the governor vetoed it on June 24, 2026.
The HHA License (Medical/Medicaid) or Unlicensed (Non-Medical Private Pay)
Non-medical private-pay: No state license needed — general business license only. No NABCS required. No administrator qualifications mandated. | Home Health Agency (medical/skilled): State HHA license required under AS 47.32 and 7 AAC 12. NABCS background checks required. Administrator must meet 7 AAC 12.510 qualifications. | Medicaid PCA: Separate certification as a Personal Care Services agency through Senior and Disabilities Services (SDS) under 7 AAC 125. Your first certification is probationary for one year (7 AAC 125.060). NABCS required. Requirements differ significantly by category — confirm which applies to your model. Private-pay non-medical agencies can launch in weeks rather than months — no state HHA license is required. You still need a general Alaska business license, local business registration, liability insurance, and standard employer compliance before operating. Extreme rural needs (the 'Bush') create massive opportunities for agencies with remote logistics capabilities.
Certificate of Need (CON) in Alaska
Alaska does not require a Certificate of Need (CON) for non-medical home care. You can move directly into the licensing process without a separate market-need review.
Medicaid Participation — Medicaid Waiver (SDS)
Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) for seniors needing nursing-level care.
Common Reasons Alaska Applications Are Rejected or Delayed
Generic P&P manuals that don't reflect state-specific regulations
Incomplete administrator documentation
Insurance or surety bond policies that don't meet state minimums
Missing or inadequate quality assurance program documentation
Physical office that doesn't meet site-review standards
Caregiver background checks that miss required state databases
Every one of these is preventable with proper preparation. It's the biggest reason founders choose done-for-you packages over DIY — the cost of a rejection in lost time is almost always higher than the cost of doing it right the first time.
Book a Free Alaska Strategy Call
15 minutes with a home care specialist. We'll map out Alaska licensing for you, your timeline, and your best next step — even if you don't hire us.
Which Alaska license type fits your business model (HHA License)
Your realistic timeline and budget
Whether Medicaid Waiver (SDS) enrollment makes sense for your plan
No pressure. No obligation. Alaska-specific guidance either way.
Your Future Alaska Clients Are Already Looking for Care.
Every week you spend piecing this together alone is a week you're not serving your first Alaska client. Let's get your agency licensed, launched, and visible — with people on your side who know Division of Health Care Services.
