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Pennsylvania Non-Medical Home Care Licensing Guide

Home Care Agency / Home Care Registry License

Chapter 611 (28 Pa. Code Ch. 611) · PA Department of Health (DOH)

Official Agency WebsiteApplication Portal
Application Fee
$100
Processing Time
60–90 days
Required Policies
12 documents
Renewal Period
2 years
Overview

Pennsylvania requires all home care agencies and registries to be licensed under Chapter 611 of the Pennsylvania Code. The license is issued by the Department of Health and must be renewed every two years. Agencies must maintain written policies covering consumer rights, worker qualifications, supervision, and emergency procedures.

Application Requirements
  • ✓Completed HCA/HCR application form
  • ✓Proof of legal business entity (EIN, DBA, Dept. of State registration)
  • ✓12 required policy exhibits (A–L) per §611.51–§611.57
  • ✓Civil Rights Survey (non-discrimination compliance)
  • ✓Consumer Information Packet (Exhibit L)
  • ✓Background check policy for all workers
  • ✓Charity care plan
  • ✓Management personnel list with qualifications
  • ✓Geographic service area (up to 6 PA counties)
  • ✓$100 non-refundable application fee
Required Policy Documents
  • •Exhibit A – Consumer Rights
  • •Exhibit B – Hiring & Personnel Policies
  • •Exhibit C – Training Requirements
  • •Exhibit D – Supervision Policies
  • •Exhibit E – Emergency & Disaster Plan
  • •Exhibit F – Incident Reporting
  • •Exhibit G – Complaint Resolution
  • •Exhibit H – Service Agreement / Plan of Care
  • •Exhibit I – Background Check Policy
  • •Exhibit J – Infection Control
  • •Exhibit K – Quality Assurance
  • •Exhibit L – Consumer Information Packet
Step-by-Step Licensing Process
1

Register Your Business

Form your legal entity (LLC, Corp, etc.) with the PA Department of State and obtain your EIN from the IRS.

2

Complete the Application

Fill out the DOH HCA/HCR application form with your agency details, ownership information, and service area.

3

Prepare 12 Policy Exhibits

Draft all 12 required policy documents (Exhibits A–L) in compliance with Chapter 611. Our AI tool generates these automatically.

4

Complete the Civil Rights Survey

Certify your non-discrimination policies and describe how you communicate with non-English speaking and hearing-impaired consumers.

5

Submit Application & Fee

Mail or submit your completed application with all exhibits and the $100 fee to the PA DOH Division of Home Health.

6

Await DOH Review

The DOH reviews your application and may request clarifications. Processing typically takes 60–90 days.

7

Receive License & Begin Operations

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

Key Regulatory Sections
SectionDescription
§611.51Consumer rights and responsibilities
§611.52Hiring, training, and supervision of workers
§611.53Service agreements and plan of care
§611.54Background check requirements
§611.55Incident reporting and complaint resolution
§611.56Quality assurance and recordkeeping
§611.57Consumer information packet requirements
Pro Tips
  • 1.Ensure all 12 exhibits are complete and reference the correct Chapter 611 sections — incomplete exhibits are the #1 reason for application delays.
  • 2.The Consumer Information Packet (Exhibit L) must be provided to every consumer before services begin.
  • 3.Your service area is limited to 6 counties per application — choose strategically based on your target market.
  • 4.Background check policies must comply with both Chapter 611 and the PA Child Protective Services Law.
  • 5.Keep copies of all submitted documents — the DOH may request them during an inspection.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
  • ✗Submitting exhibits that are generic templates rather than customized to your specific agency name, county, and services.
  • ✗Forgetting to include the Civil Rights Survey — it is a separate required document, not part of the 12 exhibits.
  • ✗Listing more than 6 service counties — the application only allows up to 6 Pennsylvania counties.
  • ✗Using an incorrect EIN format or submitting without a PA Department of State registration number.
  • ✗Not including the $100 fee or sending a personal check instead of a certified check or money order.

Ready to Start Your Pennsylvania Application?

Our AI-powered tool generates all 12 required policy documents automatically, customized to your agency's details and fully compliant with Chapter 611 (28 Pa. Code Ch. 611).

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