Guides to Home Care Licensing in Your State

Many states require special licenses to operate a non-medical home care business.  For some states this is only for Medicaid providers, while in other states every provider is licensed.  Additionally, the level of care that may be provided varies from state to state.  Here is the most up-to-date information we have on each state.

Home Care Licensing Guidelines By State

Alaska

• License Required?: NO
• Certification Required?: Yes - by state
• Who To Contact: Department of Health & Social Services
• Telephohe: 907-269-3666
• Additional: http://hss.state.ak.us/dsds/pdfs/certAppPkt2ndEdRev.pdf
• Details: Certification based on experience, knowledge of Administrator
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Alabama

• License Required?: NO
• Certification Required?: NO
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Arkansas

• License Required?: NO
• Certification Required?: NO
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Arizona

• License Required?: NO
• Certification Required?: NO
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California

• License Required?: NO
• Certification Required?: NO
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Colorado

• License Required?: YES
• Who To Contact: Licensure Customer Assistance Line
• Telephone: 303-692-2836
• Website: www.healthfacilities.info
  
  

Connecticut

• License Required?: YES
• Certification Required?: NO
• Who To Contact: Dept. of Consumer Protection
• Telephohe: 860-713-6100
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District of Columbia

• License Required?: YES
• Certification Required?: NO
• Who To Contact: District of Columbia: Health Regulation & Licensing Administration
• Telephohe: 202-724-8800
• Additional: http://hrla.doh.dc.gov/hrla/cwp/view,A,1384,Q,574374.asp
• Details: called Home Care Agency
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Delaware

• License Required?: YES
• Certification Required?: NO
• Who To Contact: Office of Health Facilities Licensing & Certifications
• Telephohe: 302-995-8521
• Additional: Personal Assistance Services Agencies must be licensed to provide services in Delaware
• Details: All questions and request for application should be made by contacting the Office by phone.
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Florida

• License Required?: YES
• Certification Required?: NO
• Who To Contact: Lenore Lawry, Home Care Unit
• Telephohe: 840-414-6010
• Additional: http://ahca.myflorida.com/MCHQ
• Details: Click on Homemaker Companion Services Application for registration and application information
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Georgia

• License Required?: YES
• Certification Required?: NO
• Who To Contact: Office of Regulatory Services, Dept of Human Resources
• Telephohe: 404-657-1509
• Additional: http://www.ors.dhr.georgia.gov
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Hawaii

• License Required?: NO
• Certification Required?: NO
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Iowa

• License Required?: NO
• Certification Required?: NO
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Idaho

• License Required?: NO
• Certification Required?: NO
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Illinois

• License Required?: YES
• Certification Required?: NO
• Who To Contact: Department of Healthcare and Family Services
• Telephohe: 217-782-1200
• Additional: http://www.hfs.illinois.gov
• Details: Info on Private Duty Website is current
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Indiana

• License Required?: YES
• Certification Required?: NO
• Who To Contact: Connie Wright
• Telephohe: 317-2337742
• Additional: http://www.in.gov/isdh - select Health Facility Licensing, Acute Care/Hospitals, Personal Care Services Agency Licensing Program
• Details: called Personal Care Agencies; is licensed and regulated
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Kansas

• License Required?: NO
• Certification Required?: NO
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Kentucky

• License Required?: NO
• Certification Required?: NO
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Louisiana

• License Required?: YES
• Certification Required?: NO
• Who To Contact: Department of Health and Hospitals Division of Health Standards
• Telephohe: 225-342-0138
• Additional: http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov - select Personal Care
• Details: call the division for a licensing packet
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Massachusetts

• License Required?: YES
• Certification Required?: YES
• Who To Contact: Office of Labor and Workforce Development,
  Jim Delarusso 617-626-6970
• Additional: www.mass.gov/dol
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Maryland

• License Required?: YES
• Certification Required?: NO
• Who To Contact: Department of Heath and Mental Hygiene, Office of Health Care Quality
• Telephohe: 410-402-8040
• Additional: http://dhmh.state.md.us/ohcq - email request for licensing
• Details: Residential Service Agency license
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Maine

• License Required?: YES
• Certification Required?: NO
• Who To Contact: Licensing and Certification for Personal Care Ageny
• Telephohe: 800-262-2232
• Additional:
• Details: Info on Private Duty Website is current
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Michigan

• License Required?: NO
• Certification Required?: NO
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Minnesota

• License Required?: YES
• Certification Required?: NO
• Who To Contact: Department of Health
• Telephohe:
• Additional: http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fpc/profinfo/newguide.pdf
• Details: Info on Private Duty Website is current
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Missouri

• License Required?: NO
• Certification Required?: NO
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Mississippi

• License Required?: NO
• Certification Required?: NO
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Montana

• License Required?: NO
• Certification Required?: NO
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North Carolina

• License Required?: YES
• Certification Required?: NO
• Who To Contact: Division of Health Service Regulation
• Telephohe: 919-855-4620
• Additional: http://www.ncdhhs.gov/dhsr/ahc/flohc.htm
• Details: called Home Care Licensing; listed under Acute and Home Care Licensure & Certification Services
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North Dakota

• License Required?: YES
• Certification Required?: NO
• Who To Contact: Department of Human Services
• Telephohe: 800-472-2622
• Additional: http://www.nd.gov/dhs/info/pubs/docs/medicaid/qsp-handbook-family-home-care.pdf
• Details: Qualified Service Provider (Agency Provider) Handbook with links to forms and explanation of standards to meet.
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Nebraska

• License Required?: YES
• Certification Required?: NO
• Who To Contact: Department of Health & Human Services, Div of Public Health Licensure Unit
• Telephohe: 401-471-4923
• Additional: http://www.dhhs.ne.gov/crl/crlindex.htm
• Details: Call Department for licensing application
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New Hampshire

• License Required?: YES
• Certification Required?: NO
• Who To Contact: Bureau of Health Facilities Administration
• Telephohe: 800-852-3345 ext 4592
• Additional: http://www.dhhs.nh.gov/DHHS/BHFA/default.htm
• Details: Info on Private Duty Website is current
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New Jersey

• License Required?: YES
• Certification Required?: NO
• Who To Contact: Department of Law & Public Safety Division Consumer Affairs
• Telephohe: 973-504-6370
• Additional: http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/hhh/crihisin.pdf
• Details: Info on Private Duty Website is correct; new online information
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New Mexico

• License Required?: NO
• Certification Required?: NO
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Nevada

• License Required?: YES
• Certification Required?: NO
• Who To Contact: Bureau of Healthcare Quality & Compliance - Rosemary Helsing
• Telephohe: 775-687-4475
• Additional: http://health.nv.gov/HCQC.htm
• Details: License type is PCA; checklist of requirements available onsite.
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New York

• License Required?: YES
• Certification Required?: NO
• Who To Contact: Department of Health Div of Home & Community Based Care
• Telephohe: 518 -408-1629
• Additional: http://opal.gorr.state.ny.us/gorr/pas/paslib.nsf/3a253d57a61fe83186256729004762af/0b5a5d2ac04b87778525685000670333?OpenDocument&ExpandSection=5
• Details: Licensed Home Care Services Agency (LHCSA) Online Permit Assistance and Licensing
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Ohio

• License Required?: NO
• Certification Required?: NO
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Oklahoma

• License Required?: YES
• Certification Required?: NO
• Who To Contact: Department of Health Protective Health Services
• Telephohe: 405-271-6576
• Additional: http://www.ok.gov/health/documents/MF%20ODH-780hhlegalassignapp.pdf
• Details: Application is pdf on website; call office for more information
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Oregon

• License Required?: YES
• Certification Required?: NO
• Who To Contact: Department of Health Services Public Health Division
• Telephohe: 971-673-1222
• Additional: http://licenseinfo.oregon.gov/?fuseaction=license_icon&link_item_id=14206
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Pennsylvania

• License Required?: YES
• Certification Required?: YES/Register
• Who To Contact: Department of Health Division of Home Health
• Telephohe: 877-724-3258
• Additional: http://www.dsf.health.state.pa.us/health/cwp/view.asp?A=189&Q=245787
• Details: Info on Private Duty Website is current
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Rhode Island

• License Required?: YES
• Certification Required?: NO
• Who To Contact: Department of Health Office of Facilities Regulation
• Telephohe: 401-222-2566
• Additional: http://www.health.ri.gov/facilities/index.php
• Details: Info on Private Dute Website current except for name of RN
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South Carolina

• License Required?: YES
• Certification Required?: YES
• Additional: http://www.scstatehouse.gov/cgi-bin/query.exe?first=DOC&querytext=3012&category=Legislation&session=119&conid=6672684&result_pos=0&keyval=1193012
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South Dakota

• License Required?: NO
• Certification Required?: NO
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Tennessee

• License Required?: YES
• Certification Required?: NO
• Who To Contact: Department of Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities
• Telephohe: 615-532-6590
• Additional: http://www.state.tn.us/sos/rules/0940/0940-05/0940-05.htm
• Details: Info on Private Duty Website is current; phone number now available
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Texas

• License Required?: YES
• Certification Required?: NO
• Who To Contact: Department of Aging & Disability Services
• Telephohe: 512-438-3011
• Details: HCSSAs must be licensed; complete pre-survey computer-based training
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Utah

• License Required?: YES
• Certification Required?: NO
• Who To Contact: Department of Health Health Facility Licensing
• Telephohe: 800-662-4157
• Additional: http://www.rules.utah.gov/publicat/code/r432/r432-700.htm
• Details: At website select Rules, select R432-700 (Home Health Agency Rule) select Sec. 30 Home Health-Personal Care Service Agency
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Virginia

• License Required?: YES
• Certification Required?: NO
• Who To Contact: Department of Health Office of Licensure & Certification, Acute Care Division
• Telephohe: 804-367-2102
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Vermont

• License Required?: NO
• Certification Required?: NO
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Washington

• License Required?: YES
• Certification Required?: NO
• Who To Contact: Department of Health Facilities Services Licensing
• Telephohe: 360-236-2905
• Additional: http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/FSL/HHHACS_HomeCareAgencies.htm
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Wisconsin

• License Required?: NO
• Certification Required?: NO
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West Virginia

• License Required?: NO
• Certification Required?: NO
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Wyoming

• License Required?: NO
• Certification Required?: NO
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