California Home Care, Home Health & Hospice Licensing

License routes we cover in California

How we get you licensed

1. 1
   Form the legal entity and secure an office

   Incorporate or form an LLC in California, obtain an EIN, and secure a commercial office lease in the exact legal name of the entity. CDPH expects a minimum one-year lease term (month-to-month leases are not accepted), and the lessee name must match the licensee's exact legal name. The permitted use clause must specifically identify the facility type (home health agency or hospice; home care organization) — a generic 'office space' description is grounds for correction requests.

2. 2
   Assemble required management personnel

   For an HHA: designate an Administrator and a Director of Patient Care Services (DPCS). Under Title 22 CCR § 74718, an administrator who is neither a physician nor a licensed RN must have training and experience in health service administration and at least one year of supervisory experience in home health care or a health-related program; in practice CDPH expects this to be evidenced by a bachelor's degree or higher combined with supervisory experience. The DPCS must be an RN (or physician in limited circumstances) with supervisory experience in a health-related field. Both positions require a qualified designee with equivalent credentials. For an HCO: designate an owner or responsible person. All key personnel must complete California Live Scan digital fingerprinting for background clearance through CDPH or CDSS before the application is deemed complete.

3. 3
   Prepare and submit the application packet

   For an HHA: compile the CDPH Initial Application Packet (forms including HS 200, HS 215A for each management person, BCIA 8016 fingerprint forms, Geographic Service Area documentation, corporate documents, and Title 22-compliant policies and procedures) and submit to the CDPH Centralized Applications Branch (CAB). For an HCO: complete forms HCS 200, HCS 215, HCS 308/309, HCS 402 (dishonesty bond), HCS 9165, and all Section B supplemental documents (job descriptions, training plan, personnel policies, articles of incorporation, and insurance certificates), then mail to CDSS Home Care Services Branch in Sacramento with the $5,603 non-refundable application fee.

4. 4
   Undergo the preliminary review and on-site licensing survey

   CDPH CAB analysts conduct a pre-screen to validate completeness; incomplete packets are returned without processing. Once administratively approved, CDPH schedules an on-site licensing survey to confirm physical office readiness, policy compliance, and personnel qualifications under Title 22. CDSS similarly reviews HCO applications and contacts applicants for corrections before issuing a license number.

5. 5
   Obtain Medicare/Medi-Cal enrollment (HHA)

   After CDPH issues the state license, a licensed HHA may apply for Medicare certification through the Medicare Administrative Contractor (NGS for California). This requires a separate CMS 855A enrollment application, an accreditation survey by ACHC, CHAP, or The Joint Commission (generally requiring at least 10 active unduplicated patients at the time of survey), a site visit and capitalization review by the MAC, and a Tie-In Notice to CDPH. NOTE: As of May 13, 2026, CMS has imposed a six-month nationwide Medicare enrollment moratorium on new HHAs; consult current CMS guidance before submitting the 855A.

6. 6
   Register all Home Care Aides (HCO only)

   Before any aide may work, HCOs must ensure each caregiver completes a Live Scan background check and registers on the CDSS Home Care Aide Registry ($35 per aide for a two-year registration period). Aides must also complete a TB exam within 90 days before or 7 days after hire, repeated every two years if results are negative.

California licensing packages

Fixed price, agreed in writing before any work begins. Each package is prepared and submitted for you, fully online.

California licensing FAQs