Pennsylvania · PA DOH, Division of Home Health Licensing
Start a Home Care Agency in Pennsylvania
From application to approval, we handle your PA DOH, Division of Home Health 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 Pennsylvania? You need a Home Care Agency License from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Our estimate: 140 days for provisional approval plus an on-site survey. State filing fees total $100 and are paid directly to PA DOH, Division of Home Health.
Non-medical home care agencies do not require a CON in Pennsylvania.
Medicaid Program
Community HealthChoices (CHC)
Plus the Old Waivers Now in CHC; LIFE as an Option and How to Take Medicaid Clients (3 Steps) and Private Pay and Medicaid for qualifying providers.
Home Care License Type in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania regulates home-based care under several license categories. Most new founders start with a Home Care Agency License for non-medical care, then add skilled services later if they choose.
NON-MEDICAL
Home Care Agency License
In Pennsylvania, you need a license from the Department of Health (DOH) to run a home care agency.
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:
$100 DOH License Fee (per location)
Timeline:
10-20 Weeks for provisional approval
Regulator:
Pennsylvania Department of Health
How to Get Licensed in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania licensing follows a structured 8-step process through PA DOH, Division of Home Health. 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.
140 days from start to provisional approval
1
FOUNDATION
2
OPERATIONS
3
SURVEY
4
APPLICATION
5
POLICIES
6
INSURANCE
1
Form Your Business
FOUNDATION
File a Certificate of Organization with the PA Department of State. The fee is $125. Veteran-owned and reservist-owned small businesses may not have to pay it. Get a free EIN from the IRS. Sign up for state taxes with the Department of Revenue. Every LLC now files a $7 annual report. It is due between January 1 and September 30 each year.
2
Write an Operating Agreement
OPERATIONS
PA does not make you have one. But you should. It says who owns what and who makes choices. It should also say who runs the agency day to day and what happens if an owner leaves. Remember: DOH must hear from you in writing at least 30 days before any transfer of 5% or more of the stock or equity (28 Pa. Code §51.4(a)). Have a lawyer look at it.
3
Start Background Checks Early
SURVEY
Owners and office staff need checks too, not just caregivers (§611.52(a)). Lived in PA the last 2 years? Get a PA State Police check online at epatch.pa.gov. If not, get FBI fingerprints and a Department of Aging letter. Serving anyone under 18? Also get child abuse clearances from the Department of Human Services (DHS).
4
Pick Your License Type and Location
APPLICATION
Choose a Home Care Agency, a Home Care Registry, or both. Each office location needs its own license and its own $100 fee. DOH says there are no branch offices in home care. So plan one location at a time.
5
Build Your Policies and Forms
POLICIES
Write your policies. Make a client information packet (§611.57). It must list your services, fees, the DOH complaint hotline, and the local Ombudsman number. Set up skills checks, staff files, TB screening, and care plans. DOH inspects you before it issues the license. So have a real system ready, not just paper.
6
Get Insurance
INSURANCE
Chapter 611 sets no insurance amount. Get general and professional liability anyway. Ask a broker what limits fit you. Clients sign a DOH form that says whether you carry liability insurance for the worker. Workers' comp is a separate PA law. Get it before you hire. You can buy it from a private carrier or the State Workers' Insurance Fund (SWIF), (570) 963-4635.
7
Apply Online to DOH
APPLICATION
Apply on the DOH online portal (sais.health.pa.gov). The link is on the DOH home care page. Pay the $100 fee (28 Pa. Code §611.2(e)). The portal tells you which papers to upload. DOH stopped taking mailed or emailed applications on March 31, 2026. Questions about the online process: [email protected].
8
DOH Inspection and License
SURVEY
DOH inspects your agency before it issues the first license (§611.2(a)). It looks at staff files, your client packet, and your records. Fix any problems fast. DOH does not publish how long this takes. Our guess is 2-3 months, but it can be longer.
Why Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania Agency Licensed
Pick the level of support that matches how hands-on you want to be. Pennsylvania state fees ($100 to PA DOH, Division of Home Health) are passed through at cost.
Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania consultancies don't offer.
Pennsylvania Licensing Workspace
Track your application, documents, and deadlines in one dashboard. Your Atlas specialist works in the same view you do.
Custom Pennsylvania 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 license do I need for home care in Pennsylvania?
You need a Home Care Agency License from the PA Department of Health if you hire caregivers yourself. If you refer caregivers who work on their own, you need a Home Care Registry license. The rules are in 28 Pa. Code Chapter 611. Each location needs its own license.
How much does a Pennsylvania home care license cost?
The DOH fee is $100 per location, and you pay it again each year to renew. Our estimate for total startup costs is $12,000 to $38,000. That covers the $125 LLC filing, insurance, background checks, and cash to run. There is no surety bond rule in Chapter 611.
What background checks are required in Pennsylvania?
It depends on where the person lived. Lived in PA the last 2 years? A PA State Police check. If not, an FBI fingerprint check plus a Department of Aging letter. Caregivers, office staff, and owners all need one. Child abuse clearance is only needed if you serve anyone under 18.
How long does Pennsylvania licensing take?
Our estimate is 10-20 weeks in total. That covers forming the business, background checks, writing policies, applying, and the DOH inspection. DOH does not publish a processing time.
Is a surety bond required in Pennsylvania?
No. The state law lets DOH require a bond by regulation (35 P.S. §448.807(c)), but Chapter 611 does not. Some websites list a $50,000 bond. We could not find any PA source for it.
What training do caregivers need in Pennsylvania?
There is no set hour count. Before work, each caregiver needs a PA nurse license, a passing skills test, or a finished training program (§611.55). The "40-hour" number is not in the DOH rules. Medicaid programs may set their own.
Is Pennsylvania a good market for home care?
It is a big market. About 2.8 million Pennsylvanians are 65 or older, the 5th most of any state (Census, July 2025). Older adults now outnumber children. The 65+ group grew about 13% from 2020 to 2025.
What is the difference between a Home Care Agency and a Home Care Registry?
A Home Care Agency hires caregivers and runs the care. A Home Care Registry refers caregivers who work on their own, and it gets a fee. The license says which one you are. Most new owners pick the agency license.
Can I still mail my application?
No. Since March 31, 2026, DOH only takes applications through its online portal. Mailed or emailed papers are not accepted. Questions: [email protected].
Does my DOH license let me take Medicaid clients?
Not by itself. You need three things, in order. Your DOH license. Then Medicaid enrollment with DHS. Then a contract with each CHC health plan (AmeriHealth Caritas, PA Health & Wellness, UPMC). Some plan networks may be full.
Do I need a child abuse clearance if I only serve seniors?
No. Chapter 611 only asks for child abuse clearances if you serve anyone under 18 (§611.53). Many guides get this wrong.
Do I need an operating agreement for my LLC?
PA does not make you have one, but you should. It says who owns what, who makes choices, and what happens if an owner leaves. DOH must hear from you at least 30 days before any transfer of 5% or more of the stock or equity. Banks often ask to see one. Have a lawyer look it over.
Does Chapter 611 require set insurance amounts?
No. Chapter 611 sets no insurance amounts. A $1 million policy is common, but it is not the law. Workers' comp is a separate PA law. Get it before you hire. You can buy it from a private carrier or SWIF.
Where do I file everything?
LLC: PA Department of State ($125). EIN: IRS.gov (free). State Police check: epatch.pa.gov. FBI fingerprints: follow the Department of Aging steps. Child abuse clearance: PA DHS (only if you serve kids). DOH license: online at sais.health.pa.gov ($100). Workers' comp: a private carrier or SWIF, (570) 963-4635. Medicaid: DHS enrollment, then each CHC health plan.
Pennsylvania Home Care Licensing: What You Need to Know
In Pennsylvania, you need a license from the Department of Health (DOH) to run a home care agency. The rules are in 28 Pa. Code Chapter 611. Each office location needs its own license (§611.2(a)). The fee is $100 per location, and the license lasts one year. Since March 31, 2026, DOH only takes applications online. It no longer takes mailed or emailed ones. There are two license types. A Home Care Agency hires its own caregivers. A Home Care Registry refers caregivers who work on their own. Most new owners pick the agency license.
The Home Care Agency License
You need a license before you run or advertise a home care agency (§611.2(a)). Home care includes personal care, help around the house, companionship, and respite. Each location needs its own license. Lived in PA for the last 2 years? Get a PA State Police check. If not, get an FBI fingerprint check and a Department of Aging letter (§611.52). Child abuse clearance is only needed if you serve anyone under 18 (§611.53). The state sets no hour count for caregiver training. Before work, each caregiver must pass a skills test, finish a training program, or hold a PA nurse license (§611.55). The "40 hours" you may see is not in the DOH rules. Pennsylvania also requires required administrator certification (typical cost No course required).
Certificate of Need (CON) in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania 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 — Community HealthChoices (CHC)
Pennsylvania's Medicaid managed care for adults 21 and older who have both Medicare and Medicaid, or who need long-term help at home. It covers the whole state. Three health plans (MCOs) serve every region: AmeriHealth Caritas, PA Health & Wellness, and UPMC Community HealthChoices. Members can switch plans at any time (DHS).
Common Reasons Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania Strategy Call
15 minutes with a home care specialist. We'll map out Pennsylvania licensing for you, your timeline, and your best next step — even if you don't hire us.
Which Pennsylvania license type fits your business model (Home Care Agency License)
Your realistic timeline and budget
Whether Community HealthChoices (CHC) enrollment makes sense for your plan
No pressure. No obligation. Pennsylvania-specific guidance either way.
Your Future Pennsylvania Clients Are Already Looking for Care.
Every week you spend piecing this together alone is a week you're not serving your first Pennsylvania client. Let's get your agency licensed, launched, and visible — with people on your side who know PA DOH, Division of Home Health.
15 minutes · Pennsylvania-specific · No obligation
Built exclusively for non-medical home care|Pennsylvania-specific guidance under 28 Pa. Code Ch. 611 (Home Care Agencies & Registries)|Platform & HomeCareAtlas directory on day one
Pennsylvania licensing details verified by HomeCareAtlas on November 1, 2026.
Pennsylvania Home Care License — Done-for-You Licensing
