New Jersey · Department of Law and Public Safety Licensing
Start a Home Care Agency in New Jersey
From application to approval, we handle your Department of Law and Public Safety 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 New Jersey? You need a Health Care Service Firm (HCSF) Registration from the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. Our estimate: 60–120 days for provisional approval plus an on-site survey. State filing fees total $500 and are paid directly to Department of Law and Public Safety.
Non-medical home care agencies do not require a CON in New Jersey.
Medicaid Program
NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid Managed Care)
Plus the MLTSS (Managed Long-Term Services and Supports) for qualifying providers.
Home Care License Type in New Jersey
New Jersey regulates home-based care under several license categories. Most new founders start with a HCSF Registration for non-medical care, then add skilled services later if they choose.
NON-MEDICAL
Health Care Service Firm (HCSF) Registration
New Jersey does not license non-medical home care through the Department of Health.
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:
$500 $500 Annual Registration Fee
Timeline:
Varies for provisional approval
Regulator:
New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs
How to Get Licensed in New Jersey
New Jersey licensing follows a structured 7-step process through Department of Law and Public Safety. Our specialists handle all 7 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
OPERATIONS
6
PROCESS
1
Register your business
FOUNDATION
File your LLC with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services. Get your EIN from the IRS, open a business bank account, and register with the NJ Division of Taxation.
2
Gather owner criminal history certifications
INSURANCE
Each officer, director, principal, and owner must sign a certification stating whether they have ever been convicted of a crime (N.J.A.C. 13:45B-13.3). If anything changes later, you must update the Division within 30 days.
3
Develop policies and procedures
POLICIES
Write a policy manual. Cover client rights, personnel policies (hiring, training, supervision), how services are delivered, nurse supervision of aides, quality assurance, emergency plans, infection control, HIPAA, and complaints. Your accrediting body will review this later.
4
Get your $10,000 bond and insurance
INSURANCE
Get the $10,000 surety bond (N.J.A.C. 13:45B-13.3). Or ask for a waiver with a CPA-certified report showing net worth of $100,000 or more. Get workers' comp. NJ law requires it for all employers not covered by federal programs (NJ Department of Labor). Also get general liability, professional liability, and auto liability if staff drive clients. Ask an agent what limits fit.
5
Submit HCSF registration to the Division of Consumer Affairs
APPLICATION
Apply to the Division of Consumer Affairs on its forms (N.J.A.C. 13:45B-13.3). Include the registration form, owner certifications, the bond (or waiver), a list of any licenses in other states, and the $500 fee. The rules do not call for an on-site inspection before you register.
6
Hire CHHHAs and start serving clients
OPERATIONS
Hire aides who hold an active CHHHA certificate from the NJ Board of Nursing. You may only place aides you employ (N.J.A.C. 13:45B-14.7). Set up nurse supervision and delegation records for each client.
7
Get accredited within 12 months
PROCESS
Start the accreditation process early. You must be accredited by a body the Department of Human Services recognizes within 12 months of registering (N.J.S.A. 34:8-45.1(c)). Renew your registration by July 1 each year (N.J.A.C. 13:45B-13.5).
Why New Jersey 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 New Jersey Agency Licensed
Pick the level of support that matches how hands-on you want to be. New Jersey state fees ($500 to Department of Law and Public Safety) are passed through at cost.
New Jersey 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 New Jersey consultancies don't offer.
New Jersey Licensing Workspace
Track your application, documents, and deadlines in one dashboard. Your Atlas specialist works in the same view you do.
Custom New Jersey 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
What is a Health Care Service Firm (HCSF)?
An HCSF is any firm that places workers to give companion, personal care, or health care services in the home of a senior (60+) or a person with a disability. You register with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs under N.J.A.C. 13:45B-13. It is a registration, not a Department of Health license.
How much does HCSF registration cost?
The fee is $500 a year per primary location. Add the $10,000 bond unless you qualify for a net-worth waiver. Bond premiums are often a few hundred dollars a year (our estimate). Accreditation is the bigger cost. We estimate total startup costs at $55,000 - $100,000.
Do I need a surety bond in New Jersey?
Yes, a $10,000 bond (N.J.A.C. 13:45B-13.3). You can skip it if a CPA-certified report shows your net worth is $100,000 or more. The old $50,000 figure you may see online is wrong.
How long does registration take?
The state does not publish a set processing time. The rules do not call for an on-site inspection before you register. A complete application with the bond and owner certifications moves fastest. Plan for accreditation within 12 months after that.
Do I need a special administrator license?
No. New Jersey sets no education or course rule for the owner or administrator. Each owner, officer, and principal must file a criminal history certification. You do need a licensed health care practitioner to supervise the aides.
Do aides need CHHHA certification?
Yes, for hands-on personal care. This applies to private-pay clients too. Any CHHHA you place must be actively certified and on your payroll (N.J.A.C. 13:45B-14.7). CHHHA certification through the NJ Board of Nursing takes 76 hours of training, an exam, and a background check. Companion-only workers (no hands-on help) may not need it. Confirm with the Division.
Can I operate from home?
Yes, but you need adequate space for records, meetings, and professional operations. Check your municipality's zoning regulations — some areas have restrictions on running healthcare businesses from residential addresses.
Is New Jersey a good market for home care?
New Jersey has about 1.8 million adults 65 and older. That is about 19% of the state (Census, 2025). It's the most densely populated state, so drives are short. Northern NJ suburbs near NYC pay the most. We estimate $32-$42 an hour there. Medicaid MLTSS is another source of clients. The CHHHA and accreditation rules raise the bar to entry, which also limits competition.
New Jersey Home Care Licensing: What You Need to Know
New Jersey does not license non-medical home care through the Department of Health. Instead, you register as a Health Care Service Firm (HCSF) with the Division of Consumer Affairs. The law is N.J.S.A. 34:8-45.1. The rules are N.J.A.C. 13:45B-13 and 13:45B-14. Any firm that places workers to give companion, personal care, or health care services in the home of a senior (60+) or a person with a disability must register. This includes companion-only agencies. Running without registering brings daily fines. The fee is $500 a year per primary location. You need a $10,000 bond unless you show a net worth of $100,000 or more. You must get accredited within 12 months of registering. Aides who give hands-on personal care must be certified homemaker-home health aides (CHHHAs) through the NJ Board of Nursing. The Department of Health licenses skilled home health agencies. That is a different license. New Jersey is the most densely populated state. That means short routes and concentrated demand near NYC and Philadelphia.
The Health Care Service Firm (HCSF) Registration
Register with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs before you place any worker in a home. This covers companion, personal care, and home health aide services (N.J.S.A. 34:8-45.1). Renew every year. The registration fee is $500 a year per primary location (N.J.A.C. 13:45B-7.1). You must post a $10,000 bond. The Division can waive the bond if a CPA report shows your net worth is $100,000 or more (N.J.A.C. 13:45B-13.3). You must get accredited by a body the Department of Human Services recognizes within 12 months of registering (N.J.S.A. 34:8-45.1(c)). You show proof at each yearly renewal (N.J.A.C. 13:45B-13.5). If you lose accreditation, tell the Division in writing within 10 days. Aides who give hands-on personal care must be CHHHAs. Any CHHHA you place must be actively certified and on your payroll (N.J.A.C. 13:45B-14.7). CHHHA training is 76 hours plus an exam (N.J.A.C. 13:37-14.4). Companion-only workers may not need it. Ask the Division.
Certificate of Need (CON) in New Jersey
New Jersey 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.
New Jersey's Medicaid program. Most members get care through private health plans called MCOs. The NJ FamilyCare website lists the current plans.
Common Reasons New Jersey 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 New Jersey Strategy Call
15 minutes with a home care specialist. We'll map out New Jersey licensing for you, your timeline, and your best next step — even if you don't hire us.
Which New Jersey license type fits your business model (Health Care Service Firm)
Your realistic timeline and budget
Whether NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid Managed Care) enrollment makes sense for your plan
No pressure. No obligation. New Jersey-specific guidance either way.
Your Future New Jersey Clients Are Already Looking for Care.
Every week you spend piecing this together alone is a week you're not serving your first New Jersey client. Let's get your agency licensed, launched, and visible — with people on your side who know Department of Law and Public Safety.
Built exclusively for non-medical home care|New Jersey-specific guidance under N.J.A.C. 13:45B-13 (Health Care Service Firms, Division of Consumer Affairs)|Platform & HomeCareAtlas directory on day one
New Jersey licensing details verified by HomeCareAtlas on September 1, 2026.
New Jersey Home Care License — Done-for-You Licensing
