Last verified: October 2026. Rules and fees change, so confirm every figure with the Ohio Department of Health before you file.
Ohio started licensing non-medical home care in 2021, so many older guides that say “no license needed” are out of date. Today you need a Nonmedical Home Health Services license from the Ohio Department of Health. This guide covers the steps, the cost, caregiver rules and how PASSPORT Medicaid fits in.
Quick facts: Ohio home care licensing
| License name | Nonmedical Home Health Services License |
| Issued by | Ohio Department of Health (ODH) |
| Governing law | Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3740; OAC Chapter 3701-60 |
| License fee | $250 initial, $250 renewal, nonrefundable |
| License term | 3 years (renew at least 90 days before expiration) |
| Surety bond | $20,000 for agencies new since September 30, 2021 |
| Medicaid | Separate ODA certification for PASSPORT |
Do you need a license for home care in Ohio?
Yes, if you provide hands-on help with daily living, help managing a client’s home and personal affairs, errands or respite. Those services are listed in the ODH rule. Pure companionship is not named, so if you plan to offer companion-only care, confirm with ODH before you skip the license.
An agency that already holds a skilled home health license does not need a separate nonmedical license.
Step-by-step: how to open a home care agency in Ohio
- Form your business with the Ohio Secretary of State.
- Get a $20,000 surety bond from an Ohio-licensed surety.
- Have the primary owner fingerprinted and write a criminal records check policy.
- Write policies for the services you will offer.
- Submit the ODH application with your Secretary of State filings, a notarized identity affidavit, ownership details, hours, service list, service area and the $250 fee.
- Answer any ODH request for more information within 14 days.
- Report changes within 10 days after you are licensed, and renew every 3 years.
How much does it cost?
- ODH license: $250, and $250 at each 3-year renewal.
- Surety bond: $20,000 of coverage; your premium is a fraction of that, based on credit.
- Fingerprinting and criminal records checks for owners and staff.
Budget separately for insurance, payroll for your first caregivers before clients pay, software, and marketing. Licensing is rarely the biggest line. See what it really costs to start a home care agency.
Caregiver requirements in Ohio
- Criminal records checks under ORC 3740.11.
- For private-pay clients, Ohio does not set a minimum number of training hours; your policies define training.
- For PASSPORT Medicaid clients, personal care aides need a state-approved nurse aide program or another training program of at least 30 hours, an in-person competency evaluation, 6 hours of in-service training a year, and RN supervision.
How long does it take?
The ODH license itself often takes about 30 to 90 days once your application is complete. PASSPORT certification adds roughly two months or more.
Medicaid in Ohio
Ohio’s PASSPORT waiver is run by the Ohio Department of Aging (ODA). You apply through ODA’s provider system; a regional designee reviews you and, if approved, signs a provider agreement with you. A denied applicant must wait a year to reapply. Holding ODA certification waives some ODH license paperwork but not the fee or bond.
Comparing states? See the home care license requirements for every state.
Want the full playbook?
I built and run a licensed home care agency in California. The licensing steps differ state to state, but getting clients, hiring good caregivers and managing cash flow work the same way in Ohio. The Home Care Agency Blueprint covers that side in 49 lessons. You can see the syllabus, start with the $29.99 Startup Workbook, or book a free call to map out your Ohio launch.
FAQ
Do I really need the $20,000 bond as a new agency?
Yes. Only agencies that were already providing care on or before September 30, 2021 are exempt.
Can I take PASSPORT clients as soon as I am licensed?
No. ODA certification and a regional provider agreement are separate steps after the ODH license.
Does a skilled home health license cover non-medical services too?
Yes. A skilled home health licensee does not need a separate nonmedical license.
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