FL

Florida Non-Medical Home Care Licensing Guide

Homemaker / Companion Services Provider License

Florida Statutes §400.509 / AHCA Rules · FL Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA)

Official Agency WebsiteApplication Portal
Application Fee
$250
Processing Time
60–90 days
Required Policies
10 documents
Renewal Period
2 years
Overview

Florida requires all homemaker and companion services providers to be licensed by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) under Florida Statutes §400.509. The license covers non-medical companion and homemaker services and must be renewed every two years. Florida's framework emphasizes consumer protection, worker screening, and clear disclosure of services and costs.

Application Requirements
  • ✓Completed AHCA homemaker/companion services application
  • ✓Proof of Florida business registration (Division of Corporations) and EIN
  • ✓10 required policy documents
  • ✓Level 2 background screening for all owners and administrators
  • ✓Designated administrator with required qualifications
  • ✓Proof of liability insurance
  • ✓Consumer rights and disclosure statement
  • ✓$250 non-refundable application fee
Required Policy Documents
  • •Policy 1 – Consumer Rights & Responsibilities
  • •Policy 2 – Personnel Hiring & Qualifications
  • •Policy 3 – Training & Orientation
  • •Policy 4 – Supervision & Service Coordination
  • •Policy 5 – Emergency Preparedness Plan
  • •Policy 6 – Incident & Complaint Reporting
  • •Policy 7 – Service Agreement & Care Plan
  • •Policy 8 – Level 2 Background Screening Procedures
  • •Policy 9 – Infection Control & Prevention
  • •Policy 10 – Quality Assurance Program
Step-by-Step Licensing Process
1

Register Your Business in Florida

Form your legal entity with the Florida Division of Corporations (sunbiz.org) and obtain your EIN from the IRS.

2

Complete Level 2 Background Screening

All owners, directors, and administrators must complete Level 2 background screening through the AHCA background screening portal.

3

Prepare Policy Documents

Draft all 10 required policy documents in compliance with Florida Statutes §400.509. Our AI tool generates these automatically.

4

Obtain Liability Insurance

Secure general liability insurance and obtain a certificate of insurance.

5

Submit Application & Fee

Submit the completed AHCA application with all policy documents and the $250 fee through the AHCA online portal.

6

Await AHCA Review

AHCA reviews your application and may conduct a survey visit. Processing typically takes 60–90 days.

7

Receive License & Begin Operations

Once approved, you receive your biennial license and can begin providing homemaker and companion services in Florida.

Key Regulatory Sections
SectionDescription
§400.509Licensing requirements for homemaker/companion services
§400.510Consumer rights and disclosure requirements
§400.511Personnel qualifications and background screening
§400.512Service agreements and plan of care
§400.513Complaint and incident reporting procedures
§400.514Quality assurance and inspection requirements
Pro Tips
  • 1.Level 2 background screening is more comprehensive than a standard background check — allow extra time (2–4 weeks) for results.
  • 2.Florida requires a physical office address — P.O. Boxes are not accepted as the primary business address.
  • 3.The consumer disclosure statement must be provided to every client before services begin and must include specific cost information.
  • 4.Florida's AHCA conducts both announced and unannounced inspections — maintain all records and policies in accessible condition.
  • 5.Ensure your service agreement clearly distinguishes between homemaker services (cleaning, cooking) and companion services (socialization, supervision) as they have different regulatory requirements.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
  • ✗Not starting Level 2 background screening early enough — results can take 2–4 weeks and the application cannot proceed without them.
  • ✗Using a P.O. Box as the primary business address — AHCA requires a verifiable physical office location.
  • ✗Omitting cost information from the consumer disclosure statement — Florida requires specific pricing to be disclosed in writing.
  • ✗Confusing homemaker services with companion services in the service agreement — they have distinct regulatory requirements.
  • ✗Failing to maintain records in an accessible location during inspections — AHCA may conduct unannounced visits at any time.

Ready to Start Your Florida Application?

Our AI-powered tool generates all 10 required policy documents automatically, customized to your agency's details and fully compliant with Florida Statutes §400.509 / AHCA Rules.

Disclaimer: This tool assists with application preparation. License approval is determined solely by FL Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA).