From application to approval, we handle your VDH 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 Virginia? You need a Home Care Organization (HCO) License from the Virginia Department of Health. Plan on 120–180 days for provisional approval plus an on-site survey. State filing fees total $1,500 and are paid directly to VDH.
Non-medical home care agencies do not require a CON in Virginia.
Medicaid Program
CCC Plus (Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus)
Plus the EDCD Waiver (Elderly or Disabled with Consumer Direction) and Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) and Becoming a Medicaid Provider for qualifying providers.
Home Care License Type in Virginia
Virginia regulates home-based care under several license categories. Most new founders start with a HCO License for non-medical care, then add skilled services later if they choose.
NON-MEDICAL
Home Care Organization (HCO) License
Virginia requires a Home Care Organization License for agencies providing personal care services, respite care, or companion services with personal 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:
$1,500 Triennial License Fee
Timeline:
4-6 Months for provisional approval
Regulator:
Virginia Department of Health
How to Get Licensed in Virginia
Virginia licensing follows a structured 7-step process through VDH. 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.
120–180 days from start to provisional approval
1
FOUNDATION
2
POLICIES
3
SURVEY
4
INSURANCE
5
APPLICATION
6
OPERATIONS
1
Form Your Business Entity
FOUNDATION
File an LLC with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC). Obtain an EIN from the IRS, open a business bank account, and register with the Virginia Department of Taxation.
2
Develop Policies and Procedures
POLICIES
Create written policies covering client rights and responsibilities, personnel management, service delivery procedures, quality assurance, emergency protocols, infection control, and complaint resolution.
3
Complete Background Checks
SURVEY
Register with Virginia State Police, schedule fingerprinting appointments, and complete all five required checks: VSP criminal history, FBI fingerprints, sex offender registry, Child Protective Services, and Adult Protective Services.
4
Secure Insurance and Bonding
INSURANCE
Obtain general liability ($1M per occurrence), professional liability, workers' compensation, automobile liability (if transporting clients), and the $50,000 surety bond.
5
Submit VDH Application
APPLICATION
Complete the Home Care Organization application through the VDH OLC Portal. Submit all required documentation and pay the $1,500 triennial application fee.
6
Pass Initial Inspection
SURVEY
VDH conducts an initial inspection to verify compliance with 12VAC5-381. Address any deficiencies identified during the survey.
7
Receive License and Begin Operations
OPERATIONS
Upon approval, receive your Home Care Organization license. Post the license at your business location and begin serving clients.
Why Virginia 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 Virginia Agency Licensed
Pick the level of support that matches how hands-on you want to be. Virginia state fees ($1,500 to VDH) are passed through at cost.
Virginia 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 Virginia consultancies don't offer.
Virginia Licensing Workspace
Track your application, documents, and deadlines in one dashboard. Your Atlas specialist works in the same view you do.
Custom Virginia 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 Virginia?
Virginia requires a Home Care Organization License from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), Office of Licensure and Certification. This covers personal care, respite, and companion services with personal care. The governing regulations are 12VAC5-381.
How much does a Virginia home care license cost?
The VDH application fee is $1,500 for a triennial (3-year) license, effective May 2025. Total startup costs typically range from $50,000 to $95,000 including insurance, bonding, and working capital.
How long does Virginia licensing take?
The estimated timeline is 4-6 months from business formation to license issuance. This includes policy development, background checks, application processing, and the initial VDH inspection.
What background checks are required in Virginia?
Five checks are required for all owners, administrators, and direct care staff: Virginia State Police criminal history, FBI fingerprint check, sex offender registry, Child Protective Services, and Adult Protective Services. Cost is $50-$80 per person.
What insurance is required in Virginia?
Virginia requires general liability ($1M per occurrence), workers' compensation, a $50,000 surety bond, and automobile liability if transporting clients. Professional liability is also recommended.
Is Northern Virginia a good market for home care?
Yes. Northern Virginia offers the highest billing rates in the state ($32-$42/hr) driven by federal employee and military retiree populations with strong purchasing power, OPM retirement benefits, and long-term care insurance. Competition is significant but the demand and rates support it.
How do I get Medicaid clients in Virginia?
First obtain your VDH license, then enroll through the Virginia Medicaid Web Portal and credential with managed care organizations (Anthem, Aetna, Molina, United Healthcare, Virginia Premier). Personal care reimbursement typically runs $18-$24/hr.
Do I need a license for companion care only?
Pure companion services without personal care may have different requirements. However, most agencies providing any personal care component need VDH Home Care Organization licensure.
Virginia Home Care Licensing: What You Need to Know
Virginia requires a Home Care Organization License for agencies providing personal care services, respite care, or companion services with personal care. The governing regulations are found in Code of Virginia Title 32.1 Chapter 5 Article 7.1 and 12VAC5-381. Applications are submitted through the VDH OLC Portal. The license is issued on a triennial (3-year) cycle with a $1,500 fee effective May 2025. Virginia also licenses Home Health Agencies separately for skilled nursing — this guide covers the non-medical pathway.
The Home Care Organization (HCO) License
Agencies providing personal care, respite, or companion services with personal care must obtain a VDH Home Care Organization License under 12VAC5-381. Virginia requires Virginia State Police criminal history, FBI fingerprint check, sex offender registry, Child Protective Services, and Adult Protective Services checks for all owners, administrators, and direct care staff ($50-$80 per person). Virginia requires a $50,000 surety bond, general liability insurance ($1M per occurrence), workers' compensation, and automobile liability if transporting clients. Virginia also requires required administrator certification (typical cost N/A).
Certificate of Need (CON) in Virginia
Virginia 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 — CCC Plus (Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus)
Virginia's Medicaid managed care program covering personal care services, respite care, homemaker services, and care coordination. This is the primary Medicaid pathway for home care agencies in Virginia.
Common Reasons Virginia 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 Virginia Strategy Call
15 minutes with a home care specialist. We'll map out Virginia licensing for you, your timeline, and your best next step — even if you don't hire us.
Which Virginia license type fits your business model (Home Care Organization)
Your realistic timeline and budget
Whether CCC Plus (Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus) enrollment makes sense for your plan
No pressure. No obligation. Virginia-specific guidance either way.
Your Future Virginia Clients Are Already Looking for Care.
Every week you spend piecing this together alone is a week you're not serving your first Virginia client. Let's get your agency licensed, launched, and visible — with people on your side who know VDH.
Built exclusively for non-medical home care|Virginia-specific guidance under 12 VAC 5-381 (Home Care Organizations)|Platform & HomeCareAtlas directory on day one
Virginia licensing details verified by HomeCareAtlas on March 1, 2026.
