How Much Does a Home Care License Cost in Florida?
Verified 2026 state fees, realistic timelines, and the true cost to open a home care agency in Florida — plus fixed-price help from Cura.
A Florida home care license costs $50.75 for a two-year Homemaker and Companion Services registration, or $2,005 to license a Home Health Agency (personal or skilled care) through AHCA. Non-medical companion services take the registration; hands-on personal care needs the full agency license. Cura books free discovery calls.
Florida licensing fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Homemaker & Companion Services registration (AHCA) | $50.75 | Per 2-year term; covers non-medical companion and homemaker services only, with no hands-on personal care |
| Home Health Agency license (AHCA) | $2,005 initial | $1,705 licensure fee plus a $300 fee; required for hands-on personal care or skilled nursing and therapy |
Total cost & timeline to open in Florida
Total cost to open
Estimate: most new Florida home care agencies spend roughly $2,500 to $6,000 to open, once you add LLC formation, general and professional liability insurance, Level 2 background screening, and (for a Home Health Agency) proof of financial ability to the AHCA state fee.
Typical timeline
A clean Homemaker and Companion registration is usually approved in about two to four weeks. A Home Health Agency license typically takes 60 to 90 days, because AHCA adds Level 2 background screening, a financial-ability review, and an initial survey.
Cura files your entire Florida application for a flat fee: $2,495 for a Home Care (Homemaker and Companion) registration or $3,495 for a Home Health Agency license, including document prep, AHCA submission, and support until you are approved.
Opening a home care business in Florida starts with the right license from the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). The good news is that Florida is one of the more affordable states to get started. A non-medical Homemaker and Companion Services registration costs just $50.75 for a two-year term, while a full Home Health Agency license costs $2,005 to file.
Which one you need depends entirely on the kind of care you plan to provide.
How much does a home care license cost in Florida?
Florida does not have a single "home care license." Instead, AHCA issues different credentials based on the services you offer:
- Homemaker & Companion Services registration: $50.75 per two years. This covers non-medical help such as housekeeping, meal prep, errands, transportation, and companionship. There is no hands-on personal care.
- Home Health Agency (HHA) license: $2,005 initial. That total is $1,705 for licensure plus a $300 fee. You need this license the moment you provide hands-on personal care (bathing, dressing, toileting) or any skilled nursing or therapy.
The two Florida home care paths, explained
Homemaker and Companion Services registration
This is the cheapest and fastest way into Florida's care market. If your caregivers will only clean, cook, shop, and keep clients company, the $50.75 registration is all AHCA requires. You cannot, however, provide hands-on personal care, and you cannot bill for skilled services.
Home Health Agency (HHA) license
Most agencies that want to grow choose the HHA license. It legally allows hands-on personal care and skilled visits, which opens the door to private-pay personal care, Medicaid, and long-term-care insurance clients. The $2,005 state fee is only part of the picture; AHCA also requires Level 2 background screening for owners and staff, proof of financial ability to operate, and a satisfactory survey.
What else does it cost to open?
Beyond the AHCA fee, budget for the normal costs of standing up a business:
- LLC or corporation formation with the Florida Division of Corporations
- General and professional liability insurance
- Level 2 background screening (fingerprinting) for owners and caregivers
- Policies, procedures, and an operations manual that AHCA will review
As an estimate, most new Florida agencies spend roughly $2,500 to $6,000 all in, depending on the license type and insurance quotes.
How long does approval take?
A clean Homemaker and Companion registration is often approved in about two to four weeks. A Home Health Agency license typically runs 60 to 90 days because of background screening, the financial-ability review, and the initial survey.
Do you need to be a nurse?
No. You do not need to be a nurse or clinician to own a Florida home care agency. A Home Health Agency must, however, employ a qualified administrator and a director of nursing (an RN) to oversee clinical care. For a Homemaker and Companion registration, no clinical staff are required at all.
The simplest way to get licensed
Florida's application is detailed, and a small mistake can restart the AHCA clock. Cura prepares and files the entire package for a fixed price, with no hourly surprises. See everything we cover on our Florida licensing page, or start directly with our Florida Home Care application support package. We handle the paperwork so you can focus on hiring caregivers and finding clients.
Florida fixed-price licensing packages
Fixed price, agreed in writing before any work begins. Each package is prepared and submitted for you, fully online.
Florida Home Care / Homemaker-Companion license — Fixed-Price Application Support
Florida home care cost FAQs
How much does a home care license cost in Florida?
A Homemaker and Companion Services registration is $50.75 for two years. A Home Health Agency license is $2,005 to file ($1,705 licensure plus a $300 fee). Which one you need depends on whether you provide hands-on personal care.
Is a license required to start a home care business in Florida?
Yes. AHCA requires a Homemaker and Companion registration for non-medical companion services, and a Home Health Agency license before you provide any hands-on personal care or skilled nursing. Operating without the correct credential carries penalties.
What is the cheapest way to get licensed in Florida?
The Homemaker and Companion Services registration at $50.75 for two years is the cheapest path. It only covers non-medical help like housekeeping, meal prep, errands, and companionship, with no hands-on personal care.
How long does it take to get a Florida home care license?
A Homemaker and Companion registration is often approved in two to four weeks. A Home Health Agency license usually takes 60 to 90 days because of background screening, a financial-ability review, and an initial survey.
Do I need to be a nurse to own a home care agency in Florida?
No. You do not need to be a nurse to own the business. A Home Health Agency must employ a qualified administrator and a director of nursing (an RN), but a Homemaker and Companion registration requires no clinical staff.
What is the difference between companion care and a home health agency in Florida?
Companion and homemaker services are non-medical (housekeeping, meals, errands, company) and need only the $50.75 registration. A Home Health Agency license is required for hands-on personal care such as bathing and dressing, plus skilled nursing or therapy.
Know your exact Florida cost before you start
Book a free discovery call and we’ll map your Florida licensing fees, timeline, and total budget — with a fixed price agreed up front.
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