How to Start a Home Care Agency — Pick Your State
Every state has different rules, fees, and timelines. Pick your state below to see exactly what you need to get licensed and start your home care business.
Alabama
No state license required for non-medical home care
Alaska
HHA License (Medical/Medicaid) or Unlicensed (Non-Medical Private Pay)
Arizona
No State License Required (Non-Medical Private-Pay)
Arkansas
Private Care Agency License
California
Home Care Organization (HCO) License
Colorado
Class B Home Care Agency License
Connecticut
Homemaker-Companion Agency (HCA) Registration
Delaware
Personal Assistance Services Agency (PASA)
Florida
Homemaker & Companion Services (HCS), Nurse Registry, or Home Health Agency (HHA)
Georgia
Private Home Care Provider (PHCP)
Hawaii
Home Care Agency License
Idaho
Personal Assistance Agency (PAA) for Medicaid; private-pay non-medical path varies by services offered
Illinois
Home Services Agency License
Indiana
Personal Services Agency (PSA) License
Iowa
No specific state license for typical private-pay non-medical home care; separate rules may apply for staffing/Medicaid models
Kansas
HHA – Non-Medical Supportive Care Services License
Kentucky
Certification to Operate a Personal Services Agency (PSA)
Louisiana
HCBS Provider License with Personal Care Attendant (PCA) Module
Maine
Home Care Agency License
Maryland
Residential Service Agency (RSA) License — Level 1
Massachusetts
None Required (Business License Only)
Michigan
No State License Required (Non-Medical)
Minnesota
Basic Home Care Provider License
Mississippi
No State License Required (Non-Medical)
Missouri
None Required for Non-Medical (Business Registration)
Montana
No State License Required (Non-Medical)
Nebraska
No State License Required (Private-Pay Non-Medical)
Nevada
Agency to Provide Personal Care Services in the Home (Personal Care Agency) License
New Hampshire
Home Care Agency License
New Jersey
Health Care Service Firm (HCSF) License
New Mexico
No Specific License Required for Non-Medical Home Care
New York
Licensed Home Care Services Agency (LHCSA)
North Carolina
Home Care Agency License
North Dakota
None Required for Non-Medical (Business License + QSP Registration)
Ohio
Nonmedical Home Health Services (NMHHS) License
Oklahoma
Home Care Agency License or Sitter/Companion Service Agency License
Oregon
In-Home Care Agency (IHCA) License
Pennsylvania
Home Care Agency License
Rhode Island
Home Care Provider License
South Carolina
In-Home Care Provider License
South Dakota
None Required (Business License Only)
Tennessee
Personal Support Services Agency (PSSA) License
Texas
Home and Community Support Services Agency (HCSSA)
Utah
Personal Care Agency License
Vermont
No State License Required (Non-Medical)
Virginia
Home Care Organization (HCO) License
Washington
In-Home Services Agency License
West Virginia
None Required (Business License Only)
Wisconsin
Personal Care Agency (PCA) Certification
Wyoming
No State License Required (Non-Medical) or Home Health Agency License (Skilled)
Not sure which state is right for you?
Use our free tools to compare markets, analyze workforce data, and find the best state for your budget and timeline.
Researched and reviewed by
John Helmy, Founder of HomeCareAtlasBuilding tools and resources to help home care agency owners navigate licensing, compliance, and growth.