HomeCareAtlas Team · Updated November 2026
Researched from primary state regulatory sources.
How to Start a Home Care Agency in Georgia
Starting a home care agency in Georgia costs roughly $30,000 - $65,000 and takes 2-4 Months. Here's every step, fee, and deadline — sourced directly from Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), Healthcare Facility Regulation Division (HFRD).
Georgia requires a license for non-medical home care. It is called a Private Home Care Provider (PHCP) license. The rules are in Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. Chapter 111-8-65. No one may operate without a license. You apply online through the Georgia Medicaid (GAMMIS) web portal and pay the fee there. DCH may give a new agency a provisional license first. That gives you a limited time to show you follow the rules. A Certificate of Need is not required for a PHCP.
To start a non-medical home care agency in Georgia, you need a Private Home Care Provider (PHCP) License from the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), Healthcare Facility Regulation Division (HFRD). The application fee is $550 (phcp fees to start (one service)), the process takes approximately 2-4 months, and total startup costs range from $30,000 - $65,000. Georgia requires a Private Home Care Provider (PHCP) license from DCH. It costs at least $550 to start. Owners, administrators, and all direct care staff must clear fingerprint checks through GCHEXS. No Certificate of Need is needed.
- License Required
- Yes — Private Home Care Provider (PHCP) License
- Regulatory Body
- Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), Healthcare Facility Regulation Division (HFRD)
- Application Fee
- $550 (phcp fees to start (one service))
- Timeline
- 2-4 Months (our estimate (dch says about 60 days for review))
- Total Startup Cost
- $30,000 - $65,000
- Key Requirement
- Georgia requires a Private Home Care Provider (PHCP) license from DCH. It costs at least $550 to start. Owners, administrators, and all direct care staff must clear fingerprint checks through GCHEXS. No Certificate of Need is needed.
- Last Verified
- November 2026 against Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), Healthcare Facility Regulation Division (HFRD) regulations
PHCP Fees to Start (One Service)
Source: DCH HFRD Schedule of Licensure Activity Fees (Oct 2024); Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 111-8-25 · Checked Oct 2026
Our Estimate (DCH Says About 60 Days for Review)
This is our best guess. Check with the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), Healthcare Facility Regulation Division (HFRD).
Residents Age 70+
Moderate Opportunity
How Georgia compares to neighboring states
| State | License Fee | Timeline | Startup Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia ← | $550 | 2-4 Months | $30,000 - $65,000 |
| Florida | $50 | 8-12 Weeks | $15,000 - $90,000 |
| South Carolina | $1,000 | 60-120 Days | $40,000 - $75,000 |
| North Carolina | $510 | 8-14 Weeks | $50,000 - $90,000 |
| Alabama | $0 (no license) | No timeline | $12,000 - $30,000 |
Georgia Licensing Overview
The Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), Healthcare Facility Regulation Division (HFRD) oversees all non-medical agencies.Georgia requires a license for non-medical home care. It is called a Private Home Care Provider (PHCP) license. The rules are in Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. Chapter 111-8-65. No one may operate without a license. You apply online through the Georgia Medicaid (GAMMIS) web portal and pay the fee there. DCH may give a new agency a provisional license first. That gives you a limited time to show you follow the rules. A Certificate of Need is not required for a PHCP.
Provisional License Possible
DCH may issue a new agency a provisional license first. It is short-term. You use it to show your operations follow the rules. Then you move to a regular license.
Fingerprint Checks for Owners and Staff
Owners, administrators, and managers must clear fingerprint checks through GCHEXS before you apply. Every worker who sees clients needs one too.
Training Rules by Role
Companion sitters, personal care aides, and nurses each have their own rules. All staff need 8 hours of training each year after year one.
No Certificate of Need
A PHCP does not need a Certificate of Need. That changes only if you run as a licensed home health agency or personal care home (Rule 111-8-65-.07).
Estimated Startup Costs (2026)
Budget for $30,000 - $65,000 to ensure 3-6 months of runway.
| Category | Low Est. | High Est. |
|---|---|---|
| Application Processing Fee | $300 | $300 |
| Initial License Fee ($250 per Service) | $250 | $750 |
| Annual License Fee ($250 per Service) | $250 | $750 |
| Business Formation / Legal Setup | $250 | $1,200 |
| General Liability Insurance | $1,800 | $5,500 |
| Workers' Compensation | $400 | $2,500+ |
| Background Checks / Fingerprinting | $400 | $1,800 |
| Office / Administrative Setup | $1,200 | $4,000 |
| Initial Marketing | $1,500 | $4,500 |
| Working Capital | $12,000 | $35,000 |
We map every cost and file your Georgia license for you.
How to Get a Georgia PHCP License
2-3 Weeks
Form Your Business
Register your LLC or corporation. Get an EIN. Open a business bank account. Get a local business license from your city or county.
2-4 Weeks
Complete Fingerprint Checks
Owners, administrators, and managers get fingerprinted through the Georgia Criminal History Check System (GCHEXS). The DCH clearance letter must be dated within 12 months of when you apply.
2-4 Weeks
Hire Your First Staff and Write Policies
DCH says you need an administrator and at least one other employee to open. Write your policies for client rights, complaints, emergencies, service plans, and staff training. Have them ready to show on request.
1-2 Weeks
Submit the Online PHCP Application
Apply through the GAMMIS web portal. Upload your notarized ID affidavit, local business license, incorporation papers, fingerprint letters, list of services, and staff files. Pay the fee online.
About 60 Days
Wait for DCH Review
DCH says review usually takes about 60 days after it confirms it got your file. Missing documents make it longer.
Initial Approval
Receive a Provisional or Regular License
DCH may give you a provisional license first. It is short-term and lets you show your operations follow the rules.
Varies
Move to a Regular License
After you show you follow the rules, DCH issues a regular license. It has no end date. You pay the fee each year to keep it.
We can do all of them for you in Georgia.
New 2026 Legal Mandates
No Operating Without a License (Rule 111-8-65-.05)
You may not operate as a private home care provider until DCH issues your license or provisional license.
Fingerprint Checks for Direct Care Staff (O.C.G.A. 31-7-350)
Georgia's long-term care background check law covers PHCP owners, administrators, and all direct access employees. Checks are fingerprint-based through GCHEXS.
License Is Non-Transferable
A PHCP license cannot be assigned or transferred. If you change your name, location, owner, or governing body, you must return the license to DCH. Give DCH 15 days notice before you move. Each office needs its own license (Rule 111-8-65-.05(2)).
Pay Your Fee Every Year
Your license has no end date. But you must pay the yearly fee between October 1 and December 31. Pay late and DCH adds a $150 fee.
Tell DCH Before You Move
You must give DCH 15 days notice before you change your office location.
Contractors Must Be Nurses
DCH says only RNs and LPNs may work for a PHCP as contractors. Aides and sitters must be your employees.
Bonding for Money Tasks
Any worker with full access to a client's money for home tasks, like paying bills, must be bonded through you.
Our Georgia licensing team tracks the law so you do not have to.
Caregiver Mandates
Important Warning
Georgia's training rules differ by role. Do not use one generic onboarding path for every worker.
- Companion Sitter: Must be able to read and write. Must show skill in client needs, meals, transportation, housekeeping, home safety, emergencies, and infection control. Plus 8 hours of training each year after year one.
- Personal Care Aide: Can take your 40-hour training program. 20 hours come before serving clients. The other 20 come within six months. A CNA or a state-approved exam also counts. Plus 8 hours of training each year after year one.
- Nurses: Anyone who gives nursing services must hold a Georgia nursing license. If you offer nursing, a Georgia RN must supervise it.
- Fingerprint Background Check: Every worker who sees clients must clear a fingerprint check through GCHEXS first. No one shown to have abused, neglected, or exploited anyone may work for you.
- TB Screening: Each worker needs a TB screening when hired and every year after.
Regional Billing Snapshots
*Regional rates vary by specialized care needs (Dementia, Parkinson's) and local competition.*
We launch Georgia home care agencies start to finish.
Regional Market Opportunities
Georgia has about 1.9 million adults 65 and older (Census 2025 estimate). Metro Atlanta is the biggest market. The rates below are our estimates of private-pay prices, not official numbers.
Atlanta Metro (Fulton, Cobb, DeKalb, Gwinnett)
The biggest market in the state. Lots of hospitals, referral sources, and suburban seniors.
Key: Start with a few target counties instead of trying to cover the whole metro at once.
North Georgia (Cherokee, Forsyth)
Fast-growing and well-off. Many families pay on their own.
Key: It can be easier to stand out here than in crowded city areas.
Coastal Georgia (Savannah, Brunswick)
Many retirees move here, so demand is steady.
Key: Some people live here only part of the year. Plan your staff for it.
Augusta Area
Military retirees, big health employers, and lower costs.
Key: A good fit if you want to keep costs low.
Cost of care in Georgia
What agencies charge clients vs. what caregivers earn in Georgia. The difference is the agency's gross margin per billable hour — before overhead like insurance, admin, marketing, and compliance costs.
$30
Avg. hourly rate charged to clients
$18.72
Avg. caregiver hourly wage
$11.28
Gross margin per hour
38%
Gross margin %
What this means for agency owners
In Georgia, agencies keep roughly $11.28 per billable hour after paying the caregiver. That's a 38% gross margin.
This is a typical margin for the industry. You will need to manage overhead carefully, but profitability is achievable with good operations.
Sources: Avg. hourly rate from CareYaya and CareScout 2025 surveys (averaged). Caregiver wage from Care.com. Gross margin is before overhead costs like insurance, admin, marketing, and compliance.
Georgia Medicaid Programs
SOURCE and CCSP Waivers
Georgia Medicaid pays for in-home care through the Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program. It has two parts: the Community Care Services Program (CCSP) and SOURCE. Both cover personal care and respite. To serve these clients, you must enroll as a Georgia Medicaid provider. That is a separate step from your PHCP license.
Start Private-Pay, Add Medicaid Later
Most new agencies start with private-pay clients. Add Medicaid once your license, staffing, and visit tracking are stable.
Becoming a Provider
Essential 2026 Tech Stack for Owners
Tiles outlined in teal are areas HomeCareAtlas covers in our platform.
Georgia Licensing FAQ
What license do I need for non-medical home care in Georgia?
You need a Private Home Care Provider (PHCP) license from the Department of Community Health. You cannot operate without it.
How much does a Georgia home care license cost?
You pay a $300 application fee. Then you pay $250 for each service you offer. Services are companion sitting, personal care, and nursing. So one service costs $550 to start. Companion plus personal care costs $800. You pay $250 per service each year after that. DCH says fees are not refunded.
How long does Georgia licensing take?
DCH says review usually takes about 60 days after it confirms it got your file. Plan for 2 to 4 months in total. You may get a provisional license first.
Is a surety bond required in Georgia?
Not to get your license. But some workers must be bonded. That is anyone who can freely use a client's money to run the home, like paying bills. Many agencies carry employee theft coverage too.
Is Georgia a good market for home care agencies?
It can be. Metro Atlanta is large and growing. About 1.9 million Georgians are 65 or older. Licensing costs are lower than in many bigger states.
Starting in a Nearby State?
Licensing requirements vary a lot between states. Compare your options:
Florida
$50 fee · 8-12 Weeks
South Carolina
$1,000 fee · 60-120 Days
North Carolina
$510 fee · 8-14 Weeks
Alabama
No state license required · N/A
Want us to handle your Georgia licensing?
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Sizing up the competition? See the 626 home care agencies already operating in Georgia →
Home care agencies in Georgia
Want to see the competition up close? Look at who is already open, city by city.
- Home care agencies in Atlanta
- Home care agencies in Alpharetta
- Home care agencies in Marietta
- Home care agencies in Savannah
- Home care agencies in Columbus
Looking for care for a family member? Find agencies near you
Considering other states?
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Where our numbers come from
We check each fact against Georgia's own rules. Tap a source to read it yourself.
- License needed?YesGa. Comp. R. & Regs. 111-8-65-.05(1)· Oct 2026
- Who oversees itGeorgia Department of Community Health (DCH), Healthcare Facility Regulation Division (HFRD)Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 111-8-65-.05(1)· Oct 2026
- License namePrivate Home Care Provider (PHCP) LicenseO.C.G.A. § 31-7-300 et seq.· Oct 2026
- The rulesO.C.G.A. § 31-7-300 et seq.; Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 111-8-65 (Private Home Care Providers)Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 111-8-65-.01· Oct 2026
- First license fee$550DCH HFRD Schedule of Licensure Activity Fees (Oct 2024); Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 111-8-25· Oct 2026
- License lasts—DCH HFRD Annual License Fee Payments notice· Oct 2026
- BondNone to get licensed; workers with unlimited access to a client's money must be bondedGa. Comp. R. & Regs. 111-8-65-.03 ("home management"); -.09(4)· Oct 2026
- Owner/manager trainingNo state minimumGa. Comp. R. & Regs. 111-8-65-.09(3)(a)· Oct 2026
- Caregiver training40 hoursGa. Comp. R. & Regs. 111-8-65-.09(5)(c)1(iv)· Oct 2026
- Background checksFingerprint records check (GCHEXS) for owners, administrators, and every direct access employee before they serve clientsGa. Comp. R. & Regs. 111-8-65-.05(1)(b), -.09(5)(a); Rule 111-8-12; O.C.G.A. § 31-7-350 et seq.· Oct 2026
- How long it takes2-4 MonthsBest guess — not confirmed yet
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This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, regulatory, or business advice. Licensing requirements, fees, and regulations change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your state's licensing agency before making business decisions. HomeCareAtlas is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of this information.
Researched and reviewed by
John Helmy, Founder of HomeCareAtlasBuilding tools and resources to help home care agency owners navigate licensing, compliance, and growth.