Home care licensing checklist
Published by Home Care Agency Blueprint. Written under the direction of founder Scott McKenzie. · Updated
A checklist of the 16 items the reference guide tracks for every state. Choose your state to fill in what the guide found, then mark each item as you confirm it with your state agency.
How to use it
- Open your state’s entry and read the bottom line and any CHANGED or WATCH flag.
- Confirm with the state agency that the license or pathway listed fits the services you plan to offer.
- Get the current application, forms and fee directly from the agency’s own site.
- Check the administrator qualifications and plan who will fill that role.
- Set up the background checks, registry checks and training your state lists.
- Line up any required insurance and bonding before you file.
- Note the renewal cycle and watch for rule changes listed for your state.
Blank checklist (print or fill in by hand)
| Item | What to confirm | Done | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| License required? | Whether your services need a license, a registration, a certification, or only Medicaid provider enrollment. | ||
| License type / name | The exact name of the license or pathway, and whether it covers the services you plan to offer. | ||
| Licensing agency | Which state office handles it, so you deal with the right agency from the start. | ||
| Agency website | The official page or portal where you apply and find current forms. | ||
| Initial application / license fee | The current fee, confirmed with the agency before you file. | ||
| Renewal fee | What renewal costs and what it depends on. | ||
| Renewal cycle | How often you renew and how early the renewal must be filed. | ||
| Typical approval timeline | Any stated review or decision period. Treat it as a guide, not a promise. | ||
| Administrator qualifications | Who can serve as administrator and what education, experience or training they need. | ||
| Caregiver background checks | Which checks are required, for whom, and when they must be complete. | ||
| Caregiver training hours | Required training before and after hire, and who may provide it. | ||
| Registry checks | Which registries or exclusion lists you must check before hiring. | ||
| General liability insurance | Whether coverage is required, and any stated minimum. | ||
| Workers' compensation | Whether coverage is required for your employees. | ||
| Bonding (surety / dishonesty) | Whether a bond is required, its type, and any stated amount. | ||
| Rule changes 2025–2026 | Recent or pending changes that could affect your application. |
State pages
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- 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
Frequently asked questions
Where do the filled-in answers come from?
From the state entries in the Home Care Agency Licensing Reference Guide (research completed October 15, 2026). Each answer keeps the guide’s wording, labels and source numbers, which link to the state page’s source list.
Is my checklist saved?
Your marks and notes are saved in this browser on this device only, per state. Nothing is sent to us. Clearing your browser data removes them.
Want to talk through your state?
A free 15-minute clarity call with Home Care Agency Blueprint, the publisher of this site. Bring your state and your questions; you do not need to finish the checklist first.
Book a free 15-minute clarity call