Oregon · OHA, Public Health Division — In-Home Care Program Licensing
Start a Home Care Agency in Oregon
From application to approval, we handle your OHA, Public Health Division — In-Home Care Program licensing — then hand you the platform to run your agency from day one. Most consultancies disappear when your license arrives. We keep going.
OHA, Public Health Division — In-Home Care Program
License Type
IHCA License
Timeline
180–270 days
State Fee
$2,000
Want to open a non-medical home care agency in Oregon? You need a In-Home Care Agency (IHCA) License from the Oregon Health Authority. Our estimate: 180–270 days for provisional approval plus an on-site survey. State filing fees total $2,000 and are paid directly to OHA, Public Health Division — In-Home Care Program.
OHA, Public Health Division — In-Home Care Program
Oregon Health Authority
License Types
1 Categories
In-Home Care Agency
Certificate of Need
Not Required
Non-medical home care agencies do not require a CON in Oregon.
Medicaid Program
Oregon Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services
Program details available during your strategy call.
Home Care License Type in Oregon
Oregon regulates home-based care under several license categories. Most new founders start with a IHCA License for non-medical care, then add skilled services later if they choose.
NON-MEDICAL
In-Home Care Agency (IHCA) License
Oregon requires an In-Home Care Agency license for non-medical home care.
Oregon licensing follows a structured 7-step process through OHA, Public Health Division — In-Home Care Program. 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.
180–270 days from start to provisional approval
1
FOUNDATION
2
INSURANCE
3
POLICIES
4
APPLICATION
5
SURVEY
6
PROCESS
1
Register your business
FOUNDATION
Register your LLC or corporation with the Oregon Secretary of State. Get your EIN from the IRS and register for state taxes. Register a business name if it differs from your legal name.
2
Choose your license class
INSURANCE
Pick the class that fits your services: Limited ($2,000), Basic ($2,250), Intermediate ($2,500), or Comprehensive ($3,000). Caregivers who give medication help need at least 4 hours of medication training first (OAR 333-536-0070). Only Comprehensive agencies may give nursing services.
3
Write policies & procedures that match the 2023 rules
POLICIES
Write policies for services, client rights, service plans, infection control, emergencies, hiring, training, supervision, and client records. If your class allows medication help, add medication policies too. Use the state's initial applicant checklist and FAQ. Every rule section must be covered.
4
Get insurance & start background checks
INSURANCE
Get general liability, professional liability, and workers' comp insurance. Pick a qualified screening company for staff criminal records checks. OHA itself checks owners and administrators through Oregon State Police and the FBI when you apply (OAR 333-536-0093(14)). Ask OHA what background forms go with your application.
5
Apply online at hflclicensing.oregon.gov
APPLICATION
Create an account and submit your application. Attach your administrator's resume and diploma, all policies and forms, and the completed checklist. Pay the fee the way the portal tells you. The state reviews files for completeness first, then a surveyor reviews them.
6
State review & on-site survey
SURVEY
Staff check that your file is complete. Then a surveyor checks that it is sufficient. As of July 2026, the whole process takes 6 to 9 months on average. Once your file passes, the state schedules an on-site survey. Have every policy ready and easy to find. Fix any problems the surveyor finds.
7
Get your license & start serving clients
PROCESS
Once you pass the survey, the state issues your license. It lasts 12 months. Renew at least 30 days before it expires (OAR 333-536-0025). Give each caregiver orientation and training before they work alone. Keep client records and service plans up to date.
Why Oregon 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 Oregon Agency Licensed
Pick the level of support that matches how hands-on you want to be. Oregon state fees ($2,000 to OHA, Public Health Division — In-Home Care Program) are passed through at cost.
Oregon 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 Oregon consultancies don't offer.
Oregon Licensing Workspace
Track your application, documents, and deadlines in one dashboard. Your Atlas specialist works in the same view you do.
Custom Oregon 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
How much does an IHCA license cost in Oregon?
It depends on your class: Limited ($2,000), Basic ($2,250), Intermediate ($2,500), or Comprehensive ($3,000). Yearly renewal costs $1,000 to $1,500. Our estimate for total startup costs is $50,000 to $90,000 with insurance, training, office setup, and working capital.
How long does licensing take?
Longer than most states. As of July 2026, the state says the initial process takes 6 to 9 months on average. A complete application, quick answers, and open dates for the survey can make it shorter.
What are the license classes?
Limited: personal care with medication reminders only. Basic: adds medication assistance. Intermediate: adds medication administration. Comprehensive: adds nursing services. Pick the class that matches the help you plan to give.
What are the administrator requirements?
A high school diploma, plus at least 2 years of professional or management experience in a health-related field or program (OAR 333-536-0052). No administrator course is required. The administrator must be on-site multiple days a week.
Do caregivers need to be on a state registry?
No. Agency caregivers do not have to join a state registry. The Oregon Home Care Commission registry is for Medicaid homecare workers hired directly by consumers. Your caregivers do need a criminal records check before they work with clients.
What training is required for caregivers?
A 4-hour orientation and at least 8 hours of initial training (2 hours before they start, the rest within 120 days). A skills check before working alone. Medication help needs 4 more hours first. Then at least 6 hours of education each year, plus 1 hour for medication help. Caregivers must be at least 18 (OAR 333-536-0070).
Is Oregon a good market for home care?
About 899,000 Oregonians are 65 or older (21.0%, Census 2025 estimate). We rate it 4 out of 5. Wages are high, so rates must be too. Portland metro has the most people. Bend is growing fast.
What are the biggest mistakes to avoid?
Using old policy templates that do not match the current rules. Sending an incomplete application. Pricing too low for local wages. Not planning for the long state wait.
Oregon Home Care Licensing: What You Need to Know
Oregon requires an In-Home Care Agency license for non-medical home care. It is not the same as a Home Health Agency license. The rules are in OAR Chapter 333 Division 536 and ORS 443.305-443.355. You apply through the online portal at hflclicensing.oregon.gov. There are four license classes: Limited ($2,000), Basic ($2,250), Intermediate ($2,500), and Comprehensive ($3,000) (ORS 443.315). The class sets what medication and nursing help you can give. The license lasts one year. The state must do an on-site survey before it issues your license. As of July 2026, the state says the whole initial process takes 6 to 9 months on average.
The In-Home Care Agency (IHCA) License
Limited: personal care with medication reminders only. Basic: adds medication assistance. Intermediate: adds medication administration. Comprehensive: adds nursing services (OAR 333-536-0007). Pick the class that fits the help you plan to give. Your administrator needs a high school diploma. They also need at least 2 years of professional or management experience in a health-related field or program (OAR 333-536-0052). They must be on-site at the agency multiple days a week. The state (OHA) checks owners and administrators itself. It uses Oregon State Police records, fingerprints, and an FBI check, at application and every 3 years. You pay the cost of the national check (OAR 333-536-0093(14)). For staff with client contact, you run the check first. You use a qualified screening company. It must check 7 years of local records, a nationwide database, and the sex offender registry. You also check the federal LEIE exclusion list. For Medicaid (ODHS) clients, you use the ODHS Background Check Unit. Oregon also requires required administrator certification (typical cost N/A).
Certificate of Need (CON) in Oregon
Oregon 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 — Oregon Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services
Oregon Medicaid pays for in-home services for people who qualify. The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) runs these programs. Agencies that serve ODHS clients follow extra rules (OAR chapter 411, division 033).
The OHA, Public Health Division — In-Home Care Program On-Site Survey
Administrator: High School Diploma + 2 Years Experience. Your administrator needs a high school diploma. They also need at least 2 years of professional or management experience in a health-related field or program (OAR 333-536-0052). They must be on-site at the agency multiple days a week.
Common Reasons Oregon 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 Oregon Strategy Call
15 minutes with a home care specialist. We'll map out Oregon licensing for you, your timeline, and your best next step — even if you don't hire us.
Which Oregon license type fits your business model (In-Home Care Agency)
Your realistic timeline and budget
Whether Oregon Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services enrollment makes sense for your plan
No pressure. No obligation. Oregon-specific guidance either way.
Your Future Oregon Clients Are Already Looking for Care.
Every week you spend piecing this together alone is a week you're not serving your first Oregon client. Let's get your agency licensed, launched, and visible — with people on your side who know OHA, Public Health Division — In-Home Care Program.
Built exclusively for non-medical home care|Oregon-specific guidance under OAR 333-536 (In-Home Care Agencies)|Platform & HomeCareAtlas directory on day one
Oregon licensing details verified by HomeCareAtlas on November 1, 2026.
