How Much Does a Home Care License Cost in Georgia?
Verified 2026 state fees, realistic timelines, and the true cost to open a home care agency in Georgia — plus fixed-price help from Cura.
A Georgia home care (Private Home Care Provider, or PHCP) license costs a $300 non-refundable application fee paid to the Georgia Department of Community Health, plus a licensure activity fee set by the state. Once you add business formation and liability insurance, most agencies spend roughly $1,500 to $5,000 to get fully licensed and open.
Georgia licensing fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| PHCP license application processing fee (Georgia DCH) | $300 | Non-refundable; paid to the Department of Community Health, Healthcare Facility Regulation Division, with your Private Home Care Provider application. |
| PHCP licensure activity fee (Georgia DCH) | Varies | Set by the state and billed in addition to the $300 application fee, based on your license. |
Total cost & timeline to open in Georgia
Total cost to open
Estimate: adding the $300 state application fee, Georgia LLC formation (about $100), general and professional liability insurance, and the DCH licensure activity fee, most non-medical home care startups budget roughly $1,500 to $5,000 before they open their doors.
Typical timeline
Most Georgia PHCP applications take about 60 to 120 days from a complete submission to approval, including the required initial on-site survey. Home health agencies that also need a Certificate of Need should plan for considerably longer, since the CON review is a separate process.
Cura handles the entire Georgia PHCP application for a fixed $2,495, or a licensed Home Health Agency with Certificate of Need support for $3,995, through our Georgia PHCP license package.
How much does a home care license cost in Georgia?
In Georgia, a non-medical home care business is licensed as a Private Home Care Provider (PHCP) through the Department of Community Health (DCH), Healthcare Facility Regulation Division. The state charges a $300 non-refundable application processing fee, plus a licensure activity fee set by DCH. That state fee is only part of the picture. Once you factor in forming your company, insurance, and passing the initial survey, most owners spend roughly $1,500 to $5,000 to open.
Georgia PHCP license fees
Here is what the state itself charges. Everything else on your startup budget goes to third parties like the Secretary of State and your insurer.
- Application processing fee: $300, non-refundable, paid to DCH with your PHCP application.
- Licensure activity fee: billed by DCH in addition to the application fee; the amount depends on your license.
Georgia does not license non-medical home care at the county level, so the PHCP license is the single credential that lets you operate statewide.
What else you will pay to open
Beyond the state fee, a realistic Georgia startup budget usually includes:
- Business formation: a Georgia LLC filing with the Secretary of State is about $100.
- Liability insurance: general and professional liability coverage, which DCH expects you to carry.
- Staff background checks: Georgia requires criminal history checks on caregivers and owners.
- Policies and an administrator: written policies, a qualified administrator, and the initial on-site survey.
Add these together and the all-in cost to get licensed and operating typically lands between $1,500 and $5,000, not counting payroll or office space.
PHCP vs. Home Health Agency: which license do you need?
The license you need depends on the care you plan to deliver.
Private Home Care Provider (PHCP)
Choose this if you provide non-medical support: personal care, bathing and dressing, companionship, homemaker services, and similar help. This is the faster, lower-cost path, and it does not require a Certificate of Need.
Home Health Agency (HHA)
Choose this if you provide skilled care such as nursing or therapy, or you want to bill Medicare. In Georgia, a home health agency must first obtain a Certificate of Need (CON), which adds significant time and cost. If this is your path, our Georgia Home Health Agency and CON support covers the full filing.
How long does it take?
Most PHCP applications take about 60 to 120 days from a complete submission to approval, including the required initial survey. Home health agencies that also need a CON should plan for considerably longer, since the CON review is a separate, competitive process.
Do you have to be a nurse?
No. You do not need to be a nurse or clinician to own a Georgia PHCP agency. You do need a qualified administrator and, for skilled services, the appropriate clinical staff. Many successful owners come from business backgrounds and hire the clinical expertise they need.
Get it done for a fixed price
Cura prepares and manages your entire Georgia application for a flat fee, so there are no surprises. Learn more on our Georgia licensing page, or book a free discovery call to map out your fastest route to approval.
Georgia fixed-price licensing packages
Fixed price, agreed in writing before any work begins. Each package is prepared and submitted for you, fully online.
Georgia Private Home Care Provider (PHCP) license — Fixed-Price Application Support
Georgia Home Health Agency license (Certificate of Need) — Fixed-Price Application Support
Georgia home care cost FAQs
How much does a home care license cost in Georgia?
A Georgia Private Home Care Provider (PHCP) license starts with a $300 non-refundable application fee paid to the Department of Community Health, plus a licensure activity fee. With company formation, insurance, and background checks, most owners spend about $1,500 to $5,000 to open.
How long does it take to get a PHCP license in Georgia?
Most Georgia PHCP applications take about 60 to 120 days from a complete submission to approval, including the required initial on-site survey. A home health agency that also needs a Certificate of Need should expect a longer timeline.
Do I need a license to start a home care business in Georgia?
Yes. Non-medical home care in Georgia must be licensed as a Private Home Care Provider through the Department of Community Health. Skilled or Medicare home health requires a Home Health Agency license and a Certificate of Need.
What is the cheapest way to get licensed in Georgia?
The lowest-cost path is a Private Home Care Provider (PHCP) license for non-medical personal care. It carries the $300 state application fee and does not require a Certificate of Need, unlike a skilled Home Health Agency.
Do I need to be a nurse to own a home care agency in Georgia?
No. You do not need to be a nurse or clinician to own a Georgia PHCP agency. You do need a qualified administrator, and for skilled services you must employ the appropriate clinical staff.
What is the difference between a PHCP and a Home Health Agency license in Georgia?
A PHCP license covers non-medical help like personal care and companionship. A Home Health Agency license covers skilled nursing and therapy, allows Medicare billing, and first requires a Certificate of Need in Georgia.
Know your exact Georgia cost before you start
Book a free discovery call and we’ll map your Georgia licensing fees, timeline, and total budget — with a fixed price agreed up front.
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