Should I get a private home care license or a home health agency license in Georgia?
Most new non-medical Medicaid home care owners in Georgia start with the Private Home Care Provider license. A home health agency license is for skilled care, and DCH lists new or expanding home health agencies as needing a Certificate of Need. Pick based on the services you plan to bill.
These are two different licenses from DCH.
Private Home Care Provider (PHCP): Covers nursing tasks, personal care, and companion and sitter services at home. Rule 111-8-65. Fees are $250 per service up to $750.
Home health agency (HHA): For skilled home health services. Rule 111-8-31. The license fee is $1,000. DCH’s Certificate of Need (CON) fact sheet lists "new or expanding nursing homes and home health agencies" among projects that need CON. A compliance library also says Medicare-certified agencies must meet federal Conditions of Participation, and many get certified through an accrediting body.
How to choose:
- Write down the services you will bill. Personal support services under the waivers are usually a home care license question. Skilled nursing and home health under the State Plan are a home health question.
- If you want Medicaid waiver work, check the EDWP manual. It requires a full license with no restrictions. Provisional licenses are not accepted.
- If you think CON could apply, ask DCH for a Letter of Determination.
Do not guess. A wrong license choice can cost months.
Sources
- Private Home Care Program · Georgia DCH
- General Licensing and Enforcement Requirements, Rule 111-8-25 (fee schedule) · Georgia DCH
- Certificate of Need fact sheet · Georgia DCH
- Georgia home care licensure (reviewed July 2026) · Vitable Health compliance library (secondary source)
- EDWP CCSP and SOURCE General Services manual, Q3 July 2026 · Georgia Medicaid (GAMMIS)
- Federal and State Licensure Regulations (provider types) · Georgia DCH
Reviewed by Beth Bledsoe, Care Business Advisor®, 28 Oct 2026. Rules change. Confirm with your state Medicaid agency before you act.
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