From application to approval, we handle your ODH 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 Ohio? You need a Nonmedical Home Health Services (NMHHS) License from the Ohio Department of Health. Plan on 30–90 days for provisional approval plus an on-site survey. State filing fees total $250 and are paid directly to ODH.
Non-medical home care agencies do not require a CON in Ohio.
Medicaid Program
PASSPORT (Pre-Admission Screening System Providing Options and Resources Today)
Plus the MyCare Ohio and Ohio Home Care Waiver and Payer Mix Strategy for qualifying providers.
Home Care License Type in Ohio
Ohio regulates home-based care under several license categories. Most new founders start with a NMHHS License for non-medical care, then add skilled services later if they choose.
NON-MEDICAL
Nonmedical Home Health Services (NMHHS) License
Since July 2022, Ohio requires a Nonmedical Home Health Services (NMHHS) license from the Ohio 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:
$250 $250 Application Fee
Timeline:
30-90 Days for provisional approval
Regulator:
Ohio Department of Health
How to Get Licensed in Ohio
Ohio licensing follows a structured 6-step process through ODH. Our specialists handle all 6 steps in the Launch and Signature packages; in the Licensing Kit, you handle the submission yourself with our expert guidance.
30–90 days from start to provisional approval
1
FOUNDATION
2
INSURANCE
3
POLICIES
4
SURVEY
5
APPLICATION
6
OPERATIONS
1
Register your business
FOUNDATION
File your LLC with the Ohio Secretary of State ($99 filing fee). Get your EIN from the IRS, open a business bank account. Register with the Ohio Department of Taxation and the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation.
2
Secure insurance & surety bond
INSURANCE
Get general liability ($1M/$3M), professional liability ($1M), workers' comp, and automobile liability (if transporting). New agencies not operating before September 2021 must obtain a $20,000 surety bond.
3
Create policies & procedures
POLICIES
Develop policies covering caregiving standards, hiring practices, safety protocols, client rights, emergency procedures, infection control, privacy and data handling, quality assurance, and a structured caregiver training program. Even though Ohio does not mandate specific training hours, ODH expects documented training policies that ensure caregiver competency.
4
Complete background checks & hire staff
SURVEY
Complete BCI fingerprint-based background checks for the owner. Establish a background check process for all staff. Check the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry and OIG/SAM exclusion databases. Hire caregivers and conduct training per your documented policies.
5
Submit ODH license application
APPLICATION
Submit the NMHHS License Application to the Ohio Department of Health with the $250 non-refundable fee, surety bond (if required), fingerprint impressions for owner, insurance certificates, and all required proofs and attestations. Do not skip any required items — incomplete applications trigger deficiency letters and significant delays.
6
ODH review & license issuance
OPERATIONS
ODH reviews your complete application. Processing takes 30-90 days for complete applications. ODH may request additional documentation or conduct follow-up reviews during this period. Once approved, you are licensed and can begin serving clients. Contact ODH at (614) 466-7713 or [email protected] with questions.
Why Ohio 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
Gated, sales-call only
Published online, no surprises
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 Ohio Agency Licensed
Pick the level of support that matches how hands-on you want to be. Ohio state fees ($250 to ODH) are passed through at cost.
Atlas Licensing Kit
Get licensed without mistakes
$1,495+ state fees
For self-directed founders who want expert guidance and will file the application themselves.
Licensing
Ohio licensing roadmap
Annotated application guide
Custom P&P manual (state-ready)
Prep tools
Office setup checklist
Bond & insurance sourcing
Admin interview prep
Survey prep guide
Expert support
2 × 60-min strategy calls
Application red-line review
60 days email support
Platform
3 months free Atlas SaaS
Free Carezano directory listing
Upgrade to Launch for
Done-for-you filing
Medicaid enrollment
Website & launch kit
Live survey prep
Most Popular
Atlas Launch
Licensed & ready for first client
$3,995+ state fees
For founders ready to be fully licensed, operational, and taking their first client on day one.
Everything in Licensing Kit, plus:
Application prepared & filed
P&P custom-built for your model
Background check coordination
Surety bond assistance
Site review prep
Live admin interview prep
Survey & enrollment
Live survey prep session
Survey-day on-call support
Medicaid enrollment guidance
Waiver enrollment guidance
50% off plan-of-correction support
Launch setup
Atlas Edge
Branded website landing page
Google Business Profile setup
Caregiver recruitment kit
HR / employee handbook
Intake + care plan templates
Scheduling templates
Support & platform
90 days Slack/email support
6 months free Atlas SaaS
Priority Carezano placement
Licensing approval guarantee
Upgrade to Signature for
Business formation (LLC, EIN)
Full brand + multi-page site
Go-to-market system
Founder-level attention
Atlas Signature
White-glove launch & full setup
$7,995+ state fees
For founders who want direct access, white-glove execution, and long-term support with minimal lift.
Everything in Launch, plus:
LLC formation + EIN
Registered agent (1st year)
Operating agreement
Full brand + web
Logo + branding kit
Business cards + marketing materials
Multi-page website
Domain + professional email
Go-to-market system
First-month marketing plan
Curated referral source list for your area
Discharge planner scripts
Private pay contracts
LTC insurance setup
Premium support
Signature Only
Weekly calls (first 60 days)
Direct phone/text access
Founder-level attention
Extended support
6 months compliance support
12 months free Atlas SaaS
Premium directory placement
First-year renewal included
1 free plan of correction
What are state fees?Hide state fee details
Ohio charges a state application fee, paid directly to the state licensing body. We don't mark it up.
Every tier includes free time on Home Care Atlas — the operating system for your new agency. This is the part other Ohio consultancies don't offer.
Ohio Licensing Workspace
Track your application, documents, and deadlines in one dashboard. Your Atlas specialist works in the same view you do.
Custom Ohio 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 Ohio?
Yes — since July 2022, Ohio requires a Nonmedical Home Health Services (NMHHS) license from the Ohio Department of Health for almost all agencies providing personal care, homemaking, or companionship. This was a major change — before 2022, no license was needed for private-pay non-medical care. Note: "nonmedical home health services" is Ohio's official term — this is a non-medical license, completely separate from Medicare-certified home health agencies.
How much does the license cost?
The application fee is $250 (non-refundable) — one of the lowest in the nation. New agencies not operating before September 2021 must also provide a $20,000 surety bond. Total startup costs range from $40,000 - $80,000 including insurance, working capital, and business setup.
How long does licensing take?
ODH processes complete applications in 30-90 days. The key is submitting a complete application — skipping required proofs or attestations triggers deficiency letters and significant delays. ODH may also request additional documentation or conduct follow-up reviews.
What is the $20,000 surety bond?
New agencies that were not providing direct care before September 2021 must provide a $20,000 surety bond as part of the license application. The annual premium is typically $200-$600 depending on credit.
What background checks are required?
BCI (Bureau of Criminal Investigation) fingerprint-based checks are required for owners ($25-$40, results in 2-5 days). FBI fingerprint checks are additionally required for Medicaid providers. Also check the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry and OIG/SAM exclusion databases for all staff.
What training do Ohio caregivers need?
Ohio does not mandate a specific training hour count for nonmedical home care. However, agencies must maintain a structured training program, ensure caregiver competency, and keep documentation in personnel files. PASSPORT (Medicaid) requires additional competency training. CPR and first aid are strongly expected industry standards.
How do I become a PASSPORT Medicaid provider?
Get your ODH license first (required prerequisite), obtain required insurance, apply to your regional Area Agency on Aging, complete the provider agreement, and credential your caregivers. The enrollment process takes 4-12+ weeks depending on your region and application completeness.
Do I need to comply with HIPAA?
It depends on how you handle client data. Agencies that handle protected health information (PHI) in connection with covered entities or do electronic billing must comply with HIPAA. Many private-pay-only agencies operate in a gray area. Best practice: build HIPAA-compliant processes from day one, especially if you plan to take Medicaid clients.
Can I hire caregivers as 1099 contractors?
In most cases, no. Home care agencies generally must classify caregivers as W-2 employees. Misclassifying workers as 1099 independent contractors is a significant compliance risk — it can trigger penalties from the IRS, Ohio Department of Taxation, and Bureau of Workers' Compensation. Consult an employment attorney if you are unsure about your model.
Can I operate from home?
Yes, many Ohio home care agencies start as home-based businesses. Check your local zoning requirements for home occupation permits.
Is Ohio a good market for home care?
Ohio has approximately 2.2 million adults aged 65+ (about 18% of the population). Columbus is the fastest-growing major metro in the Midwest. Cleveland has the largest senior population. Caregiver wages are trending $14-$18+/hr depending on market. Strong Medicaid programs (PASSPORT, MyCare Ohio) provide steady revenue streams alongside private-pay clients.
Ohio Home Care Licensing: What You Need to Know
Since July 2022, Ohio requires a Nonmedical Home Health Services (NMHHS) license from the Ohio Department of Health. This was a major change — before 2022, no license was needed for private-pay non-medical care. Almost all agencies providing personal care, homemaking, or companionship must now be licensed (note: "nonmedical home health services" is Ohio's official term — this is a non-medical license, completely separate from Medicare-certified home health agencies that provide skilled nursing). The process is relatively fast (30-90 days for complete applications) and the $250 fee is one of the lowest in the nation. New agencies that were not operating before September 2021 must also provide a $20,000 surety bond. For Medicaid participation, you must separately enroll as a PASSPORT provider through the Ohio Department of Aging.
The Nonmedical Home Health Services (NMHHS) License
Almost all nonmedical home care agencies providing personal care, homemaking, or companionship must hold a Nonmedical Home Health Services (NMHHS) license from ODH. This is separate from Medicare-certified home health — Ohio uses "home health" in the name, but this is a non-medical license. The application fee is only $250 (non-refundable) — one of the lowest in the nation. New agencies not operating before September 2021 must provide a $20,000 surety bond. Fingerprint-based background checks through the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) required for owners. FBI fingerprint checks required for Medicaid providers. Ohio Nurse Aide Registry and OIG/SAM exclusion checks for all staff. Ohio does not mandate a specific hour count for caregiver training. However, agencies must define training policies, ensure caregiver competency, and maintain documentation. ODH expects a structured training program — "no mandated hours" does not mean "no training requirements."
Certificate of Need (CON) in Ohio
Ohio 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 — PASSPORT (Pre-Admission Screening System Providing Options and Resources Today)
Ohio's primary Medicaid waiver for seniors 60+ who qualify for nursing home level of care. Covers personal care and homemaker services. Administered by regional Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs).
Common Reasons Ohio 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 Ohio Strategy Call
30 minutes with a home care specialist. We'll map out Ohio licensing for your specific situation, your timeline, and your best path forward — even if you don't hire us.
Which Ohio license type fits your business model (Nonmedical Home Health Services)
Your realistic timeline and budget
Whether PASSPORT (Pre-Admission Screening System Providing Options and Resources Today) enrollment makes sense for your plan
Common Ohio-specific mistakes to avoid
If you'd like, which Atlas package is right for you
No pressure. No obligation. Ohio-specific guidance either way.
Your Future Ohio Clients Are Already Looking for Care.
Every week you spend piecing this together alone is a week you're not serving your first Ohio client. Let's get your agency licensed, launched, and visible — with people on your side who know ODH.
Built exclusively for non-medical home care|Ohio-specific guidance under OAC 3701-60 (Home Health & Hospice)|Platform & HomeCareAtlas directory on day one
Ohio licensing details verified by HomeCareAtlas on April 1, 2026.
