OH

Ohio Non-Medical Home Care Licensing Guide

Home Health Agency / Non-Medical Home Care License

OAC Chapter 3701-60 · Ohio Department of Health (ODH)

Official Agency WebsiteApplication Portal
Application Fee
$200
Processing Time
45–60 days
Required Policies
10 documents
Renewal Period
1 year
Overview

Ohio requires home care agencies providing non-medical personal care services to be licensed by the Ohio Department of Health under OAC Chapter 3701-60. Ohio's licensing process is more streamlined than many states, with annual renewal and a focus on consumer protection, worker qualifications, and service quality.

Application Requirements
  • ✓Completed ODH home care agency application
  • ✓Proof of Ohio business registration (Secretary of State) and EIN
  • ✓10 required policy documents
  • ✓Background check policy compliant with Ohio law
  • ✓Designated agency director with required qualifications
  • ✓Proof of liability insurance
  • ✓Consumer rights statement
  • ✓$200 non-refundable application fee
Required Policy Documents
  • •Policy 1 – Consumer Rights & Responsibilities
  • •Policy 2 – Personnel Hiring & Qualifications
  • •Policy 3 – Training & Orientation
  • •Policy 4 – Supervision & Oversight
  • •Policy 5 – Emergency Preparedness
  • •Policy 6 – Incident & Complaint Reporting
  • •Policy 7 – Service Agreement & Care Plan
  • •Policy 8 – Background Check Procedures
  • •Policy 9 – Infection Prevention & Control
  • •Policy 10 – Quality Improvement Program
Step-by-Step Licensing Process
1

Register Your Business in Ohio

Form your legal entity with the Ohio Secretary of State and obtain your EIN from the IRS.

2

Designate an Agency Director

Appoint a qualified agency director who meets ODH requirements for education and experience.

3

Prepare Policy Documents

Draft all 10 required policy documents in compliance with OAC Chapter 3701-60. 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 application with all policy documents and the $200 fee to the Ohio Department of Health.

6

Await ODH Review

ODH reviews your application and may conduct a survey visit. Processing typically takes 45–60 days.

7

Receive License & Begin Operations

Once approved, you receive your annual license and can begin providing home care services in Ohio.

Key Regulatory Sections
SectionDescription
§3701-60-01Definitions and scope of licensure
§3701-60-02Application and licensure requirements
§3701-60-03Personnel qualifications and training
§3701-60-04Consumer rights and service agreements
§3701-60-05Background check requirements
§3701-60-06Quality assurance and complaint procedures
Pro Tips
  • 1.Ohio has one of the more affordable licensing fees at $200 — but the annual renewal requirement means you must budget for yearly recertification.
  • 2.The agency director must be reachable during all hours of operation — document your on-call procedures carefully.
  • 3.Ohio's background check requirements align with the Ohio Revised Code — ensure your policy references the correct statutes.
  • 4.Keep all consumer service agreements on file for at least 5 years after service termination.
  • 5.Ohio conducts unannounced inspections — maintain your policy manual and personnel files in ready-to-review condition at all times.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
  • ✗Forgetting that Ohio requires annual renewal — missing the renewal deadline can result in license lapse and forced service suspension.
  • ✗Referencing incorrect Ohio Revised Code sections in background check policies — always cite the current ORC chapter.
  • ✗Not documenting the agency director's on-call availability — inspectors specifically look for this in personnel records.
  • ✗Failing to provide consumer rights information in writing before services begin — this is a common citation during inspections.
  • ✗Storing consumer records for less than the required 5-year retention period.

Ready to Start Your Ohio Application?

Our AI-powered tool generates all 10 required policy documents automatically, customized to your agency's details and fully compliant with OAC Chapter 3701-60.

Disclaimer: This tool assists with application preparation. License approval is determined solely by Ohio Department of Health (ODH).