Last verified: October 2026. Rules and fees change, so confirm every figure with the Illinois Department of Public Health before you file.
Illinois licenses non-medical home care as a Home Services Agency, and it licenses companion care too. The process runs through a provisional license before your full survey. This guide covers the steps, the cost, caregiver training and the Community Care Program.
Quick facts: Illinois home care licensing
| License name | Home Services Agency License |
| Issued by | Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) |
| Governing law | 210 ILCS 55; 77 Ill. Adm. Code Part 245; Health Care Worker Background Check Act (225 ILCS 46) |
| License fee | $1,500 per year, nonrefundable |
| License term | 1 year (renew 60 days before expiration) |
| Path | Provisional license (240 days), then on-site survey |
| Companion-only license? | Yes, companionship is a home services agency service |
Do you need a license for home care in Illinois?
Yes. IDPH lists companionship, along with personal care and household help, as home services, so companion-only agencies need a Home Services Agency license. If you plan to place independent caregivers rather than employ them, that is a different license (home services placement agency).
Step-by-step: how to open a home care agency in Illinois
- Read Part 245 and confirm the Home Services Agency license is the right type.
- Submit IDPH’s initial application and the fee.
- Respond to IDPH’s review, usually within 30 days; the application must be completed and approved within 90 days.
- Receive a provisional license valid for 240 days.
- Start serving clients and meet IDPH’s operating requirements in the first months.
- Pass the on-site survey, then receive the full license.
- Get IDPH approval before serving a new county, and report contact changes within 10 days.
IDPH has a Part 245 amendment in the rulemaking pipeline as of October 2026. Re-check training hours and fees before you file.
How much does it cost?
- IDPH license: up to $1,500 per year (the current renewal form lists $1,500).
- Each additional license needs its own application and fee.
- Fingerprint-based background checks for 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 Illinois
- At least 10 hours of initial training: 5 hours before the first assignment and 5 within the first 30 days.
- A competency evaluation before the first assignment, then 10 hours of training every year.
- CNAs on the Health Care Worker Registry, or workers with documented training from another licensed agency in the past year, can count toward the training.
- Fingerprint background checks and a Health Care Worker Registry check before hire.
How long does it take?
Up to about 90 days to the provisional license, then up to 240 days of provisional operation before the survey. Most founders should plan 9 to 12 months to a full license, though you can serve clients once provisional.
Medicaid in Illinois
Illinois’s Community Care Program (CCP) for older adults is run by the Illinois Department on Aging, which certifies providers separately from IDPH. Expect an application, information requests, and an on-site review. Certification lasts up to three years.
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 Illinois. 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 Illinois launch.
FAQ
Can I serve clients with a provisional license?
Yes. That is how you show IDPH you meet the requirements before your survey.
Do I need a license for companion care in Illinois?
Yes. Companionship is listed as a home services agency service.
Can I expand to another county right away?
No. You need IDPH approval before serving clients in a new county.
Leave a Reply