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Home Care License in Florida
Start Your Home Care Agency in Florida
As a nonprofit organization, we make the Florida home care licensing application simple, compliant, and affordable. From AHCA application to background screening and inspection, Consult Atlas Foundation uses AI to minimize errors and accelerate approval — helping you launch your agency with confidence and peace of mind.
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WyomingWelcome
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Your All-in-One Guide to Florida Healthcare Licensing
Welcome
Please select a license type to view details.
Step-by-Step Licensing Process
Why Florida Is America’s Hotspot for Home Care Startups
Launch your home care agency in Florida with AI accuracy and nonprofit support designed to eliminate errors, speed up AHCA approval, and lower startup costs. With Florida’s booming senior population and strong healthcare infrastructure, it’s the ideal time to build a meaningful, profitable care business. Here’s why Florida stands out as one of the best states to start your agency:
High Demand
Florida is home to one of the largest senior populations in the United States — nearly 21% of residents are aged 65 and older, according to the U.S. Census. With over 4.5 million seniors and a steady influx of retirees, the demand for in-home and community-based care is soaring. Families prefer personalized home environments over long-term facilities, driving growth in licensed home care and healthcare agencies across the state.
Flexible Services
The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) allows a wide range of home care services in Florida, including personal care, companionship, homemaker support, respite care, and skilled nursing under licensed supervision. This flexibility lets you tailor your services to fit both medical and non-medical clients, ensuring long-term business stability and broader market reach.
Dedicated Expert Guidance
Starting a home care agency in Florida involves detailed planning, compliance checks, and policy development — but you don’t have to do it alone. With Consult Atlas Foundation, you receive personalized, step-by-step guidance from dedicated consultants who assist with everything — from AHCA applications and business structure to training, marketing, and compliance — ensuring you’re inspection-ready and state-approved.
Simplified Licensing
Florida requires home care agencies to be licensed by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). The process usually takes 4–6 months, with lower fees than most states. At Consult Atlas Foundation, our nonprofit model and AI-powered accuracy make licensing affordable, error-free, and fast — helping you launch your agency confidently in Florida.
Low Competition
Florida’s home care industry is expanding rapidly, yet fewer than 2,000 licensed home care agencies currently serve over 4.5 million seniors statewide. This creates a prime opportunity for new agencies to enter the market and grow quickly with strong community demand.
Starting a home care agency in Florida is more than a business opportunity — it’s a chance to serve your community, create jobs, and build financial independence in one of the nation’s fastest-growing care markets. If you’re ready to begin your journey, reach out to Consult Atlas Foundation today for a free consultation and discover how easy it is to get licensed in Florida.
Your Complete Cost Breakdown to Launch a Care Business in Florida
Starting a home care agency in Florida requires some initial investment and ongoing operating costs. Below are the estimated expenses associated with launching your agency in Florida:
The cost of a general business license (Local Business Tax Receipt) in Florida varies by city and county. On average, you can expect to pay between $50 and $150, depending on your location. You can apply through your county tax collector’s office or local business registration portal.
Filing the Articles of Organization with the Florida Division of Corporations costs $125 (including the registered agent fee).
Annual report renewals are $138.75 per year. There are no newspaper publication requirements in Florida, making it more affordable.
Florida does not impose a state income tax on individuals.
You’ll only need to register with the Florida Department of Revenue (DOR) for a sales tax certificate or reemployment tax account, both available at no cost.
You can apply for a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) free of charge directly through the IRS website.
Depending on your business size and services:
- General & Professional Liability Insurance: $1,200 – $4,000 per year
- Workers’ Compensation: Cost depends on employee count and risk category
- Commercial Auto Insurance (if NEMT): $1,000 – $2,500 per vehicle per year
Florida’s insurance rates are typically 10–15% lower, due to lower average claim costs.
According to 2025 data:
- The average pay for Home Care RNs in Florida is around $38 per hour or $79,000 annually.
- Home Health Aides (HHAs) and Personal Care Aides (PCAs) earn between $14 – $18 per hour, depending on region and agency benefits.
A professional digital marketing strategy — including website setup, SEO, and local ad campaigns — typically ranges from $500 to $3,000 per month, depending on ad spend and target area.
Office rent in Florida varies widely by city:
- Tampa, Orlando, or Jacksonville: $1,200 – $2,500/month for a small office
- Miami Metro Area: $3,000 – $5,000/month for premium commercial space
Most agencies begin remotely or in small professional suites to minimize initial costs.
Essential startup supplies include basic medical and administrative equipment:
- Hospital beds: $2,000 – $5,000 each
- Wheelchairs: $200 – $400 depending on model
- Office furniture, phones, and software systems: $1,500 – $3,000 total
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Frequently Asked Questions
To get a home care license in Florida, you must apply through the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). The process includes submitting your Florida home care license application, policies, and background screenings, obtaining liability insurance, and passing an on-site inspection.
Consult Atlas Foundation simplifies the entire process — from documentation to AHCA approval — using AI-powered accuracy and nonprofit support.
The average licensing timeline is 4 to 6 months, depending on the accuracy of your documents and the AHCA’s review schedule.
With Consult Atlas Foundation, many clients receive approval in less than 5 months through guided document preparation and compliance readiness.
Key requirements include:
- Registering your business with Sunbiz (Florida Division of Corporations)
- Completing Level 2 background checks for owners and administrators
- Having an Administrator and Alternate Administrator
- Submitting AHCA-approved policies and procedures
- Securing liability and workers’ compensation insurance
- Passing an initial inspection
Startup costs typically range from $10,000 to $25,000, depending on location, office setup, insurance, and staffing.
Consult Atlas Foundation offers flexible payment plans starting at $250/month to make licensing affordable for new entrepreneurs.
No. You do not need to be a nurse to open a non-medical home care agency.
However, if you plan to offer skilled nursing or therapy services under a Home Health Agency (HHA) license, you must employ a licensed Registered Nurse (RN) as your Director of Nursing (DON).
- A Home Care License (Non-Medical) covers personal care, companionship, and homemaker services.
- A Home Health License (HHA) covers skilled nursing, physical therapy, and medical services.
Consult Atlas Foundation can help you determine which license fits your business goals and assist with the correct AHCA application.
For home care and home health agencies, Florida no longer requires a Certificate of Need (CON).
However, other facilities like hospitals and nursing homes may still need CON approval. This makes Florida a faster and more affordable state to start a care agency.
All owners, administrators, and staff must complete Level 2 background screening through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and FBI.
Consult Atlas Foundation guides you through each step of the fingerprinting and compliance process.
Licensing fees vary by agency type but are generally between $1,000 and $2,000, paid directly to AHCA.
Consult Atlas Foundation helps ensure all forms, fees, and supporting documentation are correctly submitted to prevent costly delays.
Florida requires:
- General Liability Insurance
- Professional Liability Insurance
- Workers’ Compensation Insurance (if you have employees)
Additional optional policies include Cyber Liability and Auto Insurance for caregivers using company vehicles.
Yes, many agencies start from home-based offices as long as they meet zoning and AHCA documentation requirements.
Once licensed, you can later move into a commercial office if needed.
Consult Atlas Foundation helps prepare compliant documentation for both home-based and commercial setups.
As a nonprofit organization, Consult Atlas Foundation offers AI-powered document preparation, policy manuals, and expert guidance at a fraction of traditional consulting costs.
We ensure your AHCA application is accurate, complete, and inspection-ready, helping you get approved faster and stress-free.
Consult Atlas Foundation supports a wide range of healthcare business licenses in Florida, including:
- Home Care and Home Health Agencies (AHCA Licensed)
- Group Homes and Assisted Living Facilities (ALF)
- Hospice and Palliative Care Agencies
- Behavioral Health and Addiction Recovery Centers
- Medical Transportation (NEMT) Providers
- Adult Day Care Centers and Residential Care Facilities
Healthcare Staffing Agencies and Training Programs (CNA, HHA, PCA)
From documentation to inspection, our AI-powered, nonprofit approach ensures every business type is licensed faster and fully compliant with Florida regulations.
To start a home care business in Florida, you must first register your company with the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) and then apply for a Home Care License through the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA).
You’ll need to complete Level 2 background checks, prepare AHCA-compliant policies and procedures, obtain insurance coverage, and pass an initial inspection.
Consult Atlas Foundation simplifies every step — from business formation and policy preparation to AHCA approval — so you can launch your agency quickly and confidently.
Starting a group home in Florida, you must apply for licensure through the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) or the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), depending on your client population.
You’ll need to secure zoning approval, complete fire and health inspections, hire qualified staff, and submit policies and procedures that meet state standards.
Consult Atlas Foundation assists with every step — from documentation and compliance to inspection readiness — making it easy to open a fully licensed group home in Florida.
We’re here to help you!
Consult Atlas Foundation is a non-profit consulting company that aims to solve the healthcare crisis by helping people like you start their own home care or home healthcare agencies. We provide you with everything you need to succeed, from business planning and licensing to training and marketing. We also offer ongoing support and guidance to help you grow and thrive in this rewarding and profitable field.
By starting your own home care or home healthcare agency, you can:
- Provide essential services to seniors, disabled, and chronically ill individuals who need assistance with daily living activities.
- Create jobs and opportunities for caregivers and nurses who share your passion and vision.
- Generate income and profits that you can reinvest in your business or donate to a cause of your choice.
- Make a positive impact on your community and the healthcare system.
