Northeast
Pennsylvania Home Care, Home Health & Hospice Licensing
No Certificate of Need, but a new online-only portal, a worker training mandate, and an active Medicare enrollment freeze.
RegulatorPA DOH
Typical timeline2 to 6 months
License routes4
Delivery100% Virtual
Licensing in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has no Certificate of Need (CON), so entry is easier than in many states. All home care, home health, and hospice providers need a license from the PA Department of Health (PA DOH) first. Since March 31, 2026, HCA and HCR apply only through the SAIS portal. A federal CMS moratorium now blocks new Medicare enrollment.
Your regulator
Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Home Health (PA DOH)
Official licensing page →License routes we cover in Pennsylvania
Home Care Agency (HCA) License
For firms that employ workers to provide non-skilled personal care at home. Under Chapter 611.
Home Care Registry (HCR) License
For firms that refer (not employ) independent workers for these non-skilled services. Chapter 611.
Home Health Agency (HHA) License
Skilled nursing plus at least one therapy service, part-time or intermittent. Under Chapter 601.
Hospice License
For firms serving terminally ill patients. Licensed under the Health Care Facilities Act; the interim standards are the federal Medicare rules at 42 CFR Part 418, Subparts C, D, and E, since Pennsylvania has no final hospice rules yet.
How we get you licensed
- 1Set up your business and office
Form an LLC or corporation with the PA Department of State and get a federal EIN. Secure a real office; no P.O. boxes.
- 2Write your policies and procedures
Write a policy manual for your license: Chapter 611 (HCA/HCR), Chapter 601 (HHA), or 42 CFR Part 418, Subparts C, D, and E (hospice, interim). Cover client rights, staffing, infection control, emergencies, training, and consumer disclosure.
- 3Get background checks and health screenings
Get Act 34 PA State Police checks for all owners and staff. Anyone without two consecutive years in PA also needs a federal check and a PA Department of Aging letter. Direct-contact staff need Act 151 clearance and a TB test within the past year. Allow four to six weeks.
- 4Submit your application on the SAIS portal
Apply through the SAIS portal (sais.health.pa.gov). Since March 31, 2026, HCA/HCR take no paper or email. Mail the fee to PA DOH Division of Home Health, 2525 N. 7th Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110. HHA and hospice apply by email to ra-dhhhandhosinitial@pa.gov, with the fee mailed separately.
- 5Fix deficiencies and pass inspection
DOH may send deficiency notices asking for fixes or more documents. Once complete, DOH inspects your office and records. Clean files are usually decided in two to three months; corrections can push it to four to six.
- 6Get Medicare certification after licensure (HHA and hospice only)
After you hold the state license, file Form 855A with your Medicare Administrative Contractor. But since May 13, 2026, a CMS six-month moratorium blocks new HHA and hospice Medicare enrollment (projected to lift around November 13, 2026). Get licensed now so you are ready when it lifts.
How long does it take?
Typical time to a live license in Pennsylvania. Times assume a complete, accurate application; missing items add time.
- Home Care Agency / Registry
- 2 to 3 months (up to 6 with corrections)
- Home Health or Hospice
- 2 to 3 months, plus Medicare certification
- Medicare enrollment
- Paused until at least mid-Nov 2026
Key Pennsylvania requirements
- A real, inspectable office is required; DOH does not accept P.O. boxes.
- A policy manual for Chapter 611 (HCA/HCR), Chapter 601 (HHA), or 42 CFR Part 418, Subparts C, D, and E (hospice interim).
- Direct care workers must prove competency before unsupervised care; HCA workers need an approved training program, with annual reviews.
- Act 34 PA State Police checks for all owners and staff; a federal check plus a PA Department of Aging letter for anyone without two consecutive years of PA residency; Act 151 clearance for direct-contact staff.
- TB test within the past year for all staff with direct consumer contact.
- Written consumer disclosure at service start, covering the plan, worker, hours, fees, status, taxes, and 10-calendar-day termination notice.
Traps that catch new owners
- Sending paper or email HCA/HCR applications after March 31, 2026 - SAIS is now the only accepted channel.
- Mixing up Home Care (Chapter 611) and Home Health (Chapter 601): the wrong pick forces a costly restart.
- Assuming quick Medicare revenue: the moratorium (May 13 to about November 13, 2026) blocks new HHA/hospice billing.
Pennsylvania licensing packages
Fixed price, agreed in writing before any work begins. Each package is prepared and submitted for you, fully online.
Pennsylvania licensing FAQs
Does Pennsylvania require a Certificate of Need (CON)?
No. Pennsylvania does not require a Certificate of Need for home care, home health, or hospice. This removes a barrier that exists in states like New York, which requires CON for Certified Home Health Agencies. Any applicant who meets DOH standards may apply.
Can I bill Medicare as soon as I get my state license?
Not right now. A state license comes first, but since May 13, 2026, CMS has a six-month moratorium blocking new home health and hospice Medicare enrollment. Get licensed now, then watch CMS for the lift date, projected around November 13, 2026, before filing Form 855A.
What is the difference between a Home Care Agency and a Home Care Registry license?
Both cover non-skilled personal care under Chapter 611. The difference is the model. A Home Care Agency employs its workers directly. A Home Care Registry refers independent contractors and must disclose that, including the client's own tax and insurance duties. DOH licenses each separately.
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