From application to approval, we handle your EOHHS licensing — then hand you the platform to run your agency from day one. Most consultancies disappear when your license arrives. We keep going.
new law signed August 2026; rules not yet written License
Timeline
56 days
State Fee
$0
Want to open a non-medical home care agency in Massachusetts? You need a Home Care Agency License (new law signed August 2026; rules not yet written) from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Our estimate: 56 days for provisional approval plus an on-site survey. State filing fees total $0 and are paid directly to EOHHS.
Non-medical home care agencies do not require a CON in Massachusetts.
Medicaid Program
MassHealth HCBS Waivers (Frail Elder Waiver)
Plus the MassHealth Provider Enrollment and ASAP Network (Aging Services Access Points) for qualifying providers.
Home Care License Type in Massachusetts
Massachusetts regulates home-based care under several license categories. Most new founders start with a new law signed August 2026; rules not yet written License for non-medical care, then add skilled services later if they choose.
NON-MEDICAL
Home Care Agency License (new law signed August 2026; rules not yet written)
Right now, Massachusetts has no license for private-pay, non-medical home care.
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 License Fee Yet (Rules Pending)
Timeline:
4-8 Weeks for provisional approval
Regulator:
Executive Office of Health and Human Services
How to Get Licensed in Massachusetts
Massachusetts licensing follows a structured 8-step process through EOHHS. Our specialists handle all 8 steps in the Launch and Signature packages; in the Licensing Kit, you handle the submission yourself with our expert guidance.
56 days from start to provisional approval
1
FOUNDATION
2
INSURANCE
3
SURVEY
4
POLICIES
5
OPERATIONS
6
PROCESS
1
Form Your Business
FOUNDATION
Register your LLC or corporation with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth. Get an EIN from the IRS. Register with the Department of Revenue to withhold state taxes.
2
Get Insurance
INSURANCE
Workers' comp is required by state law once you have employees. General and professional liability are not required today, but clients and partners expect them. The new license rules will set minimum insurance amounts.
3
Set Up Background Checks
SURVEY
Register for iCORI, the state's online criminal record system. Check every worker before they meet a client. The new law will make background checks a must once its rules start.
4
Write Your Policies
POLICIES
Write simple rules for client care, hiring, safety, emergencies, privacy, and complaints. The new law lists topics the rules will cover. Use that list as a guide now.
5
Set Up Your Office
SURVEY
Rent an office or use a home office if your town's zoning allows it. Set up scheduling and care management software.
6
Hire and Train Caregivers
OPERATIONS
Hire home care aides or personal care workers. Check each one before they start. Train them on your rules, client care, and safety.
7
Build Your Referral Network
PROCESS
Make a simple website. Set up a Google Business Profile. Meet hospitals, rehab centers, elder care groups, and doctors. Most new agencies start with private-pay clients.
8
Think About MassHealth and the New Rules
PROCESS
To serve MassHealth clients, enroll as a provider. Watch EOHHS for the new license rules. They are due about November 2027. That date assumes the law took effect the usual 90 days after signing, plus its 1-year rule deadline.
Why Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts Agency Licensed
Pick the level of support that matches how hands-on you want to be. Massachusetts state fees ($0 to EOHHS) are passed through at cost.
Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts consultancies don't offer.
Massachusetts Licensing Workspace
Track your application, documents, and deadlines in one dashboard. Your Atlas specialist works in the same view you do.
Custom Massachusetts 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 need a license to start a home care agency in Massachusetts?
Not yet. Massachusetts has no license for non-medical home care today. You need a business registration, an EIN, workers' comp, and to follow job laws. But a new law (Chapter 180 of the Acts of 2026) creates a home care agency license. EOHHS must write the rules by about November 2027. You will need a license within one year after that.
How much does it cost to start a home care agency in Massachusetts?
We estimate $55,000 to $100,000. Massachusetts costs more than many states. Insurance, wages, and rent are high. Most of the money is working capital to pay staff before clients pay you.
How long does it take to start in Massachusetts?
No license is required yet. We estimate 4-8 weeks to open. That covers forming your business, insurance, background check setup, and hiring. MassHealth enrollment adds more time. Plan for the new license rules due in 2027.
What are CORI checks and are they required?
CORI is Massachusetts' criminal record system. You run checks through iCORI online. We found no law that makes private-pay agencies run checks today. The new license law (Chapter 180) will require background checks once its rules start. Do them now anyway.
Can I operate from a home office in Massachusetts?
Often yes. No state home care rule bans it today. Check your town's zoning rules first. The new license rules could add office rules, so watch for them.
Is Massachusetts a good market for home care?
Yes. Massachusetts has about 1.42 million adults 65 and older (Census 2025 estimate). Many families can pay privately. We estimate rates of $30-$50/hr, based on the area. No license is needed yet. The main challenge is high caregiver wages. You need to price high enough to cover them.
Will Massachusetts require a license in the future?
Yes. The governor signed H.5627 (Chapter 180 of the Acts of 2026) on August 6, 2026. It creates the first state license for home care agencies. EOHHS must adopt rules within one year of the law starting. All agencies must be licensed no later than one year after that. Starting now lets you grow before the rules start.
What is the ASAP network and why does it matter?
ASAPs (Aging Services Access Points) run state-funded elder home care in each part of the state. They hire home care agencies to serve their clients. A contract with your local ASAP can bring steady work. Under the new law, it also lets you get a temporary license early.
Massachusetts Home Care Licensing: What You Need to Know
Right now, Massachusetts has no license for private-pay, non-medical home care. The Department of Public Health (DPH) licenses home health agencies. Those give skilled nursing or therapy. State-funded home care runs through the Executive Office of Aging & Independence and local ASAPs. That is changing. On August 6, 2026, the governor signed H.5627, "An Act to Improve Massachusetts Home Care." It is Chapter 180 of the Acts of 2026. It creates the first state license for home care agencies. EOHHS must write the rules within one year of the law starting. You must be licensed by a date EOHHS sets, no later than one year after the rules. Until then, you can open with a business registration and insurance.
The Home Care Agency License (new law signed August 2026; rules not yet written)
Today you need a business registration with the Secretary of the Commonwealth, an EIN, and workers' comp. No home care license exists yet. Do not let anyone sell you one. Check every worker before they meet a client. Most agencies use the state CORI system. We found no law that makes private-pay agencies do this today. The new law will require it once its rules start. It also adds checks in any state where a worker lived or worked in the last 5 years. Signed August 6, 2026. EOHHS will license home care agencies. Rules are due about November 2027. That assumes the usual 90-day start date plus the law's 1-year rule deadline. Licenses will be required within one year after that. Once the rules start, EOHHS can fine up to $500 per day for breaking them.
Certificate of Need (CON) in Massachusetts
Massachusetts 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.
MassHealth pays for some home care through waivers, like the Frail Elder Waiver. These help seniors stay at home instead of a nursing home.
Common Reasons Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts Strategy Call
15 minutes with a home care specialist. We'll map out Massachusetts licensing for you, your timeline, and your best next step — even if you don't hire us.
Which Massachusetts license type fits your business model (Home Care Agency License)
Your realistic timeline and budget
Whether MassHealth HCBS Waivers (Frail Elder Waiver) enrollment makes sense for your plan
No pressure. No obligation. Massachusetts-specific guidance either way.
Your Future Massachusetts Clients Are Already Looking for Care.
Every week you spend piecing this together alone is a week you're not serving your first Massachusetts client. Let's get your agency licensed, launched, and visible — with people on your side who know EOHHS.
