Last verified: September 2026. Rules and fees change, so confirm every figure with the Georgia Department of Community Health before you file.
Georgia’s home care license is one of the more affordable in the country, but it has a catch many first-time owners miss: you need a registered nurse on the application even if you only plan to offer companion care. This guide covers what it takes to open a non-medical home care agency in Georgia in 2026, with a source for each rule.
Quick facts: Georgia home care licensing
| License name | Private Home Care Provider (PHCP) license |
| Issued by | Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), Healthcare Facility Regulation Division (HFRD) |
| Governing law | O.C.G.A. §31-7-300 to §31-7-308; Rules Ch. 111-8-65 |
| Application fee | $300 |
| Annual license fee | $250 per service (companion/sitter, personal care, nursing) |
| Apply through | GAHLES online portal |
| Initial review | About 30 business days |
Do you need a license for home care in Georgia?
Yes. One PHCP license covers three service types: companion or sitter tasks, personal care tasks and nursing services. You pay $250 a year for each service you’re licensed to provide. No agency may operate without a license or provisional license (Rule 111-8-65-.05).
Step-by-step: how to get a PHCP license
- Register your business with the Georgia Secretary of State and get a local business license. Names and addresses must match your application.
- Fingerprint background checks through GCHEXS for every owner with 10% or more, and your administrator. You need a “satisfactory determination” letter dated within the last 12 months. Expect 10 to 15 business days.
- Line up an RN. DCH’s checklist says “An RN is required for the initial application,” including for companion-only agencies.
- Prepare your administrator’s file: qualifications, job description, GCHEXS letter and proof of orientation training.
- Submit in GAHLES with the notarized Personal Identification Affidavit, notarized Affidavit of Compliance, electronic owner form and fees.
- Provisional license. After approval, DCH issues a provisional license valid for 3 months. In that time you must become operational and admit at least 3 clients.
- Request your initial survey by emailing HFRD. Re-licensure surveys happen about every 18 to 24 months.
How much does it cost?
- Application fee: $300
- Annual license fee: $250 per service, up to $750 for all three
- Change of ownership, name change or a service-level change needing a site visit: $300 each
- Accredited providers get a 25% discount
The state fees are low. Your real costs are the RN, payroll, and insurance. Georgia’s rules don’t set a liability insurance minimum, but you’ll want coverage anyway.
Caregiver requirements in Georgia
- Personal care aides need one of: CNA training and competency evaluation, a DCH-recognized competency exam, a DCH-approved credentialing program, or a 40-hour training program (20 hours before serving clients, the rest within 6 months).
- Companions and sitters must show competency in topics such as elder needs, meals, home safety, emergencies and infection control.
- All staff: orientation, 8 hours of training a year, and TB screening at hire and every year after.
- Supervision: supervisory home visits at least every 92 days for personal care clients and every 122 days for companion/sitter clients.
- Background checks through GCHEXS for anyone with direct client access.
How long does it take?
DCH’s current checklist says the initial review takes about 30 business days from submission. Add 10 to 15 business days for GCHEXS fingerprints, then the 3-month provisional period to admit your first 3 clients before the survey.
Medicaid in Georgia
A licensed PHCP can apply to provide personal support services under Georgia’s Elderly & Disabled Waiver (CCSP and SOURCE), ICWP, and the NOW and COMP waivers. Each has its own enrollment process separate from licensing. Note that the 2026 CMS moratorium on new Medicare home health enrollment does not apply to non-medical PHCPs.
Starting in a different state? Compare home care licensing by state.
Want the full playbook?
I built and run a licensed home care agency in California. Georgia’s licensing is its own process, but that 3-client requirement means you need a plan for finding clients before you’re fully licensed. The Home Care Agency Blueprint covers client acquisition, hiring and cash flow in 49 lessons. You can see the syllabus or start with the $29.99 Startup Workbook.
FAQ
Do I need a nurse to start a companion care agency in Georgia?
According to DCH’s current application checklist, yes: an RN is required for the initial application regardless of service type.
How much is a home care license in Georgia?
$300 to apply, then $250 per year for each service type you provide.
How many clients do I need before my survey?
At least 3, admitted during the 3-month provisional license period.
Sources
- DCH Private Home Care Program
- DCH PHCP application checklist
- DCH schedule of licensure fees and Rule 111-8-25-.03
- Rules Ch. 111-8-65 (including .09 and .10)
- O.C.G.A. Title 31, Ch. 7, Art. 13
- GCHEXS
- Georgia Medicaid waiver programs
This article is general information, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with DCH or a licensing attorney before you apply.
Want help getting licensed in Georgia?
We write the policy binder Georgia asks for, prepare your Private Home Care Provider license application for you to sign, and answer correction letters until the state decides. The full PremiumCare Academy course is included.