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Home Care License in Virginia
Start Your Home Care Agency in Virginia
As a nonprofit organization, we make Virginia home care licensing simple, compliant, and cost-effective. From state application paperwork to inspection readiness, Consult Atlas Foundation uses AI to reduce errors and speed up approval — so you can open your agency with confidence in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
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Comprehensive Licensing Support for Virginia Healthcare Ventures
Welcome
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Step-by-Step Licensing Process
Why Virginia Is the Right Place to Launch Your Home Care Agency
Build your home care agency in a Commonwealth where the senior population is rising, policymakers are prioritizing care at home, and families are actively searching for trustworthy support. With AI-powered precision and nonprofit guidance from Consult Atlas Foundation, you can cut down on paperwork errors, navigate Virginia’s licensing steps with confidence, and create a sustainable agency that truly supports older adults and their caregivers across the state.
High Demand for In-Home Care
Virginia already has a large and growing senior population. Around 15% of Virginians are 65+ today, and by 2030 roughly 1 in 5 residents will be over 65.
At the same time, the state is planning for more older adults who want to remain at home, not in institutions. This creates strong, long-term demand for home care organizations that can provide personal care, companionship, dementia support, and help with daily activities.
Strong Support for Aging in Place
Virginia’s Division for Aging Services and local Area Agencies on Aging are focused on helping older adults stay independent at home as long as possible.
Alongside this, Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers fund in-home and community care for seniors and people with disabilities instead of nursing homes.
This policy environment makes Virginia especially friendly to home care agencies that can partner with families, waiver programs, and community organizations.
Flexible Service Models
In Virginia, you can grow beyond basic non-medical support if you choose. Many providers start as a licensed Home Care Organization (HCO) and later expand into:
- Skilled home health services
- Adult day programs
- Group homes and DD waiver services
- Hospice or palliative support partnerships
Because the senior population is spread across both metro and rural areas, there is room for niche services—memory care at home, post-hospital support, veterans-focused care, and more.
Licensing Made Simpler
Starting a home care agency in Virginia still involves detailed regulations, policies, background checks, and inspections. At Consult Atlas Foundation, we make that journey affordable and predictable:
- AI-checked forms and policies to prevent errors
- Nonprofit pricing that keeps your startup costs low
- Step-by-step guidance from entity formation to inspection readiness
As a nonprofit powered by AI, Consult Atlas Foundation helps entrepreneurs across Virginia secure their home care licenses accurately and efficiently—so you can focus on building a mission-driven agency that serves your community.
Starting a home care agency in Virginia is an incredible opportunity to make a lasting difference in people’s lives while building a rewarding business. If you’re ready to learn more about how to start your home care agency in Virginia, reach out to us today for a free consultation — we’ll guide you every step of the way.
What It Really Costs to Start a Home Care Agency in Virginia (2025)
Starting a home care or care-related business in Virginia is very doable, but you will need some upfront investment and ongoing monthly costs. Below is a simple, Virginia-specific breakdown you can adapt for your page.
Virginia does not have a single statewide general business license, but most cities and counties require a local business license (often called BPOL – Business, Professional and Occupational License).
- Many localities charge anywhere from about $15 to $500+ depending on location, revenue and business type.
- Some smaller localities may charge a flat low fee, while larger cities base it on estimated or actual gross receipts.
You’ll need to check with your city or county Commissioner of the Revenue for exact amounts.
Most care owners form an LLC for liability protection.
- Articles of Organization (one-time): about $100 to file with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC).
- Annual registration fee: $50 per year to keep the LLC in good standing (no detailed annual report, just the fee).
- Registered agent (optional professional): many owners pay $100–$300/year if they don’t want to list their home/office address.
So, forming and keeping an LLC active in Virginia is relatively affordable compared to many states.
- Registering with the Virginia Department of Taxation (for sales tax, employer withholding, etc.) usually does not have its own fee; the costs show up later as taxes, not registration charges.
You still need to register if you’ll have employees or collect sales tax (for example, selling medical supplies).
- Your EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS is completely free if you apply directly on the official IRS site.
Be careful of third-party websites that charge for an EIN – they’re just filling the same free IRS form.
Your exact premiums depend on staff count, services, and claims history, but typical care startups in Virginia budget for:
- General & professional liability: often $1,500–$5,000+ per year for a small agency.
- Workers’ compensation: varies based on payroll and risk class of caregivers (hands-on care is rated higher).
- Commercial auto (if you provide transportation) and abuse/molestation coverage can add to the premium.
Most owners get quotes from at least 2–3 brokers who understand home care, home health, or DD waiver programs.
Two big ongoing costs are nurses and aides/caregivers.
- Home health RNs in Virginia
Recent data shows many Home Health Registered Nurses in Virginia earning around $44–$48 per hour on average (roughly $90,000–$100,000+ per year, depending on region and employer). - Home health aides / personal care aides in Virginia
Current sources place average pay around $16–$19 per hour, with many roles slightly above or below that depending on city and experience.
Your actual wage offers will depend on whether you’re private pay, Medicaid waiver, or mixed payer – but these numbers are realistic planning benchmarks.
To get clients and referral partners, you’ll likely invest in:
-
Branding & website (if not already done): one-time or low ongoing maintenance.
-
Digital marketing (Google Ads, social media, local SEO):
Starter budgets may range from about $500 to $3,000+ per month, depending on how competitive your target areas are in Virginia metros like Richmond, Norfolk, or Northern Virginia.
Consult Atlas Foundation can keep this aligned with your nonprofit-style budget and help you focus on high-intent “home care near me” traffic instead of wasting ad spend.
Some agencies start from a small administrative office, others stay home-based at first (if allowed by license and zoning).
For a rough idea:
- Recent commercial data shows average office rents in Richmond around $22–$26 per square foot per year.
- A modest 1,000 sq. ft. office at those rates would be roughly $1,900–$2,200 per month before utilities and CAM charges. (Smaller suburban or rural spaces can be cheaper; prime Northern Virginia can be higher.)
Many new owners start with very small spaces or shared offices to keep overhead low in the first 6–12 months.
Even for non-medical home care, plan for:
- Basic office setup: laptops, phones, printer, software subscriptions (scheduling, EVV, EHR, payroll).
- Care supplies: gloves, wipes, PPE, simple durable medical equipment (DME) if you choose to stock it.
- Hospital beds, wheelchairs, and larger DME items are often provided through third-party DME suppliers; if you stock your own, national averages still apply:
- Hospital-style beds can easily run $2,500–$6,000+ depending on brand and features.
- Standard wheelchairs typically start around $250+, with higher prices for lightweight or custom models.
Client Success Story
A License, A Dream, and a New Beginning in Virginia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. In Virginia, most home care and home healthcare agencies must be licensed through the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC). The license ensures you meet state standards for client safety, staffing, policies, and quality of care.
Home care focuses on non-medical support such as personal care, companionship, housekeeping, and respite. Home healthcare includes clinical services like skilled nursing, therapy, and other medical care ordered by a physician. Both models can require licensing in Virginia, but the exact regulations, surveys, and staffing requirements differ.
The Virginia home care license application fee is typically around $500, paid to the Virginia Department of Health. In addition, you should budget for LLC formation, insurance, staff training, and office or administrative expenses, which together form your true startup cost.
Timelines vary depending on how complete and accurate your application is and how quickly you can pass the on-site survey. Many agencies need several months from preparation to final approval. Using a done-for-you consulting partner like Consult Atlas Foundation can reduce delays caused by missing documents or policy gaps.
Consult Atlas Foundation can support multiple Virginia licenses and certifications, including:
- Home Health Care Agency License
- Personal Care Aide (PCA) license and training
- Home Care Aide (HCA) certification
- Nurse Aide certification
- Home Medical Equipment Supplier license
- Home Hospice license
- Home Infusion Therapy license
- Group home, addiction recovery, and adult day care licenses
We guide you from business setup to policies, surveys, and ongoing compliance.
While you are not legally required to choose an LLC specifically, you do need a properly registered legal entity (such as an LLC or corporation), an EIN, and basic business registrations. Many founders choose an LLC for liability protection and tax flexibility. Consult Atlas can help you choose and set up the right structure before licensing.
Typical requirements include:
- A registered business entity and federal EIN
- A qualified administrator and key management staff
- Written policies and procedures that meet Virginia regulations
- A plan of operation, staffing plan, and quality improvement plan
- Appropriate insurance coverage (liability, workers’ comp, etc.)
- Passing an on-site survey by the Virginia Department of Health
Consult Atlas builds these elements with you so you’re inspection-ready.
Some early-stage agencies manage administrative work from a home office, but you must still meet Virginia’s expectations for secure record storage, privacy, and professional operations. Many owners eventually move into a small commercial office as they grow. Consult Atlas can help you plan a setup that fits both your budget and compliance needs.
After approval, you’ll continue to pay for: staff wages, liability insurance, workers’ compensation, marketing, software, training, and periodic license renewals. In Virginia, licenses are renewed on a regular cycle, and you must maintain compliant policies, documentation, and quality reviews to stay in good standing.
Consult Atlas Foundation is a mission-driven nonprofit, not a for-profit consulting firm. After your Virginia home care license is issued, we continue to help with compliance, staff training, documentation management, and digital growth—often for as little as $250/month. Our goal is to keep your agency compliant, sustainable, and ready to serve seniors and families across Virginia for the long term.
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.
