HomeCareAtlas Team · Updated November 2026
Researched from primary state regulatory sources.
How to Start a Home Care Agency in Kansas
Starting a home care agency in Kansas costs roughly $30,000 - $55,000 and takes 60-90 Days. Here's every step, fee, and deadline — sourced directly from Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Bureau of Facilities and Licensing.
Kansas licenses non-medical home care as a type of Home Health Agency license. It is called Supportive Care Services. It covers help with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, eating, medicine reminders, moving, walking, and toileting (K.S.A. 65-5101). The rules are K.S.A. 65-5101 and following, and K.A.R. 28-51. The license lasts one year. You may not serve clients until you have it.
To start a non-medical home care agency in Kansas, you need a Home Health Agency License – Non-Medical Supportive Care Services from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Bureau of Facilities and Licensing. The application fee is $250 (kdhe initial fee (supportive care, under 100 clients)), the process takes approximately 60-90 days, and total startup costs range from $30,000 - $55,000. Non-medical care needs a Home Health Agency license in the Supportive Care Services category from KDHE. The first-year fee is $250 for under 100 clients (K.A.R. 28-51-101). KDHE reviews your papers and surveys you before it issues the license (K.S.A. 65-5104).
- License Required
- Yes — Home Health Agency License – Non-Medical Supportive Care Services
- Regulatory Body
- Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Bureau of Facilities and Licensing
- Application Fee
- $250 (kdhe initial fee (supportive care, under 100 clients))
- Timeline
- 60-90 Days (estimated review to licensure)
- Total Startup Cost
- $30,000 - $55,000
- Key Requirement
- Non-medical care needs a Home Health Agency license in the Supportive Care Services category from KDHE. The first-year fee is $250 for under 100 clients (K.A.R. 28-51-101). KDHE reviews your papers and surveys you before it issues the license (K.S.A. 65-5104).
- Last Verified
- November 2026 against Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Bureau of Facilities and Licensing regulations
KDHE Initial Fee (Supportive Care, Under 100 Clients)
Source: K.A.R. 28-51-101(a)(1)(B)(iii) · Checked Oct 2026
Estimated Review to Licensure
This is our best guess. Check with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Bureau of Facilities and Licensing.
Residents Age 70+
Competitive Market
How Kansas compares to neighboring states
Kansas Licensing Overview
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Bureau of Facilities and Licensing oversees all non-medical agencies.Kansas licenses non-medical home care as a type of Home Health Agency license. It is called Supportive Care Services. It covers help with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, eating, medicine reminders, moving, walking, and toileting (K.S.A. 65-5101). The rules are K.S.A. 65-5101 and following, and K.A.R. 28-51. The license lasts one year. You may not serve clients until you have it.
Document Review, Then License
KDHE reviews your application and policies and asks for fixes. Check KDHE's Home Health Agencies page for how to file. The law says KDHE issues a license after a survey inspection (K.S.A. 65-5104). Ask KDHE how it will survey you.
PayIt Online System
KDHE has moved home health agency fee payments online through the state's PayIt system. Check KDHE for how to pay before you apply.
Estimated Startup Costs (2026)
Budget for $30,000 - $55,000 to ensure 3-6 months of runway.
| Category | Low Est. | High Est. |
|---|---|---|
| KDHE License Fee (Initial, Supportive Care) | $250 | $500 |
| Administrator Course (if no degree) | $0 | $850 |
| Gen/Prof Liability Insurance | $2,000 | $4,500 |
| Fingerprint Background Checks (x5) | $350 | $500 |
| Business Formation & Tax ID | $200 | $500 |
| Office Setup | $2,000 | $5,000 |
| Initial Marketing & SEO | $2,500 | $6,000 |
| Working Capital (3-6 Mo) | $25,000 | $40,000 |
We map every cost and file your Kansas license for you.
The KDHE Supportive Care Roadmap
1-2 Weeks
Entity & EIN Formation
Register your business with the Kansas Secretary of State. Get an EIN from the IRS.
1-3 Weeks
Qualify Your Administrator
Pick an administrator and an alternate. Each must be 21+ and have one year of home health or related work. Each needs a degree or a KDHE-approved course certificate. The administrator must live in your service area.
1-2 Weeks
Set Up Fingerprint Background Checks
KDADS runs criminal history checks for home health staff (K.S.A. 65-5117). It may require state and national fingerprints. A new hire then has 20 calendar days to get printed. If they don't, the check is dropped.
1 Week
Submit Your Application
Get the current Non-Medical HHA application packet from KDHE. Send it with resumes for both administrators. Pay the fee the way KDHE tells you. Check KDHE for how to file and pay.
2-4 Weeks
Upload Policies and Staff Files
KDHE emails you a login for its online document transfer system. Upload your governing body bylaws, policies, templates, and employee qualifications.
4-8 Weeks
KDHE Review and License
KDHE staff review your packet and email you about missing items. When everything meets the rules, KDHE issues your license.
We can do all of them for you in Kansas.
New 2026 Legal Mandates
Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation Training
Current - Every worker must learn the signs of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Train them at hire and every year after (K.A.R. 28-51-103).
Fingerprint Background Checks (K.S.A. 65-5117)
Send each new hire to KDADS for a criminal history check. KDADS may require fingerprints. A person with a disqualifying record cannot work for you unless KDADS grants a waiver. Keep the results and registry findings in the staff file. Disqualified staff cannot be employed
One-Year License and Annual Report
Each license lasts one year. File your renewal at least 30 days before it ends (K.A.R. 28-51-101). If the report and fee are more than 30 days late, the license is cancelled (K.S.A. 65-5104). Renewal is $100 for supportive care under 100 clients.
Our Kansas licensing team tracks the law so you do not have to.
Caregiver Mandates
Important Warning
Kansas puts supportive care under home health agency rules. You must train, test, and supervise every worker. That is much easier with W-2 employees than with 1099 contractors.
- Registry Verifications: Keep each worker's criminal check results and any state or national registry findings in their file. Also check references before hire (K.A.R. 28-51-103).
- Health Check and TB Test: Before working with clients, each worker needs a health check from a doctor, RN, NP, or PA. It must say they can do the job. They also need a two-step TB skin test (K.A.R. 28-51-103).
- Competency Before Working Alone: Each supportive care worker must pass a skills check in 10 areas before working alone. Areas include talking with clients who have dementia and stopping germs. Re-check every year (K.A.R. 28-51-117).
- Ongoing Training and Supervision: Kansas sets no hour count for supportive care workers. You must give ongoing training at least yearly. A manager must be reachable at all times. Supervise each worker on-site at least every 3 months (K.A.R. 28-51-117).
Regional Billing Snapshots
*Regional rates vary by specialized care needs (Dementia, Parkinson's) and local competition.*
We launch Kansas home care agencies start to finish.
Regional Market Opportunities
Kansas has a few busy metro areas and a lot of rural land. Rates below are our estimates, not official data. Check local prices before you set yours.
Kansas City Metro (Johnson/Wyandotte)
Johnson County is one of the wealthiest parts of the state. Lots of clients, and lots of competition.
Key: Missouri has its own rules. To serve both sides, you must follow both states' rules.
Wichita / Sedgwick County
Wichita is the largest city in Kansas. It has many hospitals and referral sources.
Key: The Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center is here. VA care is a separate contract to look into.
Topeka / Lawrence
A mid-size market with the state capital and a university town.
Key: Often less crowded than Kansas City. A good place to start.
Cost of care in Kansas
What agencies charge clients vs. what caregivers earn in Kansas. The difference is the agency's gross margin per billable hour — before overhead like insurance, admin, marketing, and compliance costs.
$30.5
Avg. hourly rate charged to clients
$19.34
Avg. caregiver hourly wage
$11.16
Gross margin per hour
37%
Gross margin %
What this means for agency owners
In Kansas, agencies keep roughly $11.16 per billable hour after paying the caregiver. That's a 37% 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.
Kansas Medicaid Programs
KanCare HCBS Waivers
This is the main way Medicaid pays for home care in Kansas. It includes the Frail Elderly (FE) and Physical Disability (PD) waivers. Attendant care under these waivers also needs a KDHE home health agency license (K.S.A. 65-5102).
Agency Angle: You must contract with each KanCare health plan you want to bill. Check KanCare's site for the current list of plans.
Becoming a Provider
Essential 2026 Tech Stack for Owners
Tiles outlined in teal are areas HomeCareAtlas covers in our platform.
Kansas Licensing FAQ
Does KDHE visit my office before licensing?
Plan on it. The law says KDHE issues a license only after a survey inspection (K.S.A. 65-5104). KDHE reviews your papers first. To keep your license, you need an on-site survey at least every 36 months. KDHE also visits on complaints.
Are HCBS attendant care providers exempt?
No. Kansas law counts Medicaid waiver attendant care as home health agency work (K.S.A. 65-5101 and 65-5102). You need a KDHE license for it. The fee for an HCBS license is higher: $500 under 100 clients (K.A.R. 28-51-101).
How do I pay my license fee?
Check KDHE for how to pay; it has moved fees online through PayIt. The first fee is $250 for supportive care with under 100 clients, or $500 at 100 or more. Renewal is $100 or $350 (K.A.R. 28-51-101). Fees are not refunded.
Does my administrator need a training course?
Only if they have no degree. The administrator must be 21+ and have one year of home health or related work. They need a bachelor's degree, an associate's degree, or a KDHE-approved course certificate. Ask KDHE for its list of approved courses.
Starting in a Nearby State?
Licensing requirements vary a lot between states. Compare your options:
Missouri
No state license required · 4-8 Weeks
Colorado
$2,720.30 fee · 3-5 Months
Oklahoma
$1,000 fee · 45-120 Days
Nebraska
No state license required · 4-8 Weeks
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Sizing up the competition? See the 1,200 home care agencies already operating in Kansas →
Home care agencies in Kansas
Want to see the competition up close? Look at who is already open, city by city.
- Home care agencies in Overland Park
- Home care agencies in Wichita
- Home care agencies in Topeka
- Home care agencies in Greenwich Heights
- Home care agencies in Garden City
Looking for care for a family member? Find agencies near you
Considering other states?
- Alabama
- Alaska
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- California
- Colorado
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- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
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- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
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Where our numbers come from
We check each fact against Kansas's own rules. Tap a source to read it yourself.
- License needed?YesK.S.A. 65-5102· Oct 2026
- Who oversees itKansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Bureau of Facilities and LicensingK.A.R. 28-51-100(n); K.S.A. 65-5101(i)· Oct 2026
- License nameHome Health Agency License – Non-Medical Supportive Care ServicesK.S.A. 65-5101(k)· Oct 2026
- The rulesK.S.A. 65-5101 et seq.; K.A.R. 28-51K.A.R. 28-51-101· Oct 2026
- First license fee$250K.A.R. 28-51-101(a)(1)(B)(iii)· Oct 2026
- License lasts1 yearK.A.R. 28-51-101(d)(1)· Oct 2026
- BondNoneK.S.A. 65-5101 to 65-5117; K.A.R. 28-51· Oct 2026
- Owner/manager trainingNo state minimumK.A.R. 28-51-103(b)(4)· Oct 2026
- Caregiver trainingNo state minimumK.A.R. 28-51-117(c)· Oct 2026
- Background checksKDADS criminal history and registry check for each new hire, with state and national fingerprint check when KDADS requires itK.S.A. 65-5117· Oct 2026
- How long it takes60-90 DaysBest 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.