Start your Home Care Agency with Confidence
How to Start a Home Care Agency in Virginia (2025 Guide + Free Checklist)
Are you thinking of starting a home care agency in Virginia?
You're not alone — Virginia’s aging population and increasing demand for personal care services make it one of the best places to start a home care business right now.
But we get it: the process can feel overwhelming — licensing, documents, applications, compliance, staff… where do you even begin?
This guide walks you through every major step to get licensed in Virginia. PLUS, we’re giving away a free home care licensing checklist to help you stay on track.
📥 Free Download: Get your Home Care Startup Checklist for Virginia
Step-by-Step: How to Start a Home Care Agency in Virginia
Step 1: Decide the Type of Agency
Virginia allows different types of home care agencies:
Personal Care (Non-Medical): Help with bathing, dressing, meals, etc.
Skilled Home Health: Involves nurses and therapists, requires medical licensure.
Most beginners start with non-medical personal care due to fewer regulations.
Step 2: Register Your Business Entity
Choose a legal structure (LLC is most common) and register with:
Virginia State Corporation Commission: https://scc.virginia.gov/
Apply for your EIN (free) from the IRS.
Step 3: Choose a Name and Check Availability
Make sure your business name is:
Unique in Virginia
Available as a .com domain
Compliant with state naming rules
Step 4: Complete Licensing Requirements
To legally operate in Virginia, you must apply through the Virginia Department of Health Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC).
Key documents required:
Organizational Chart
Ownership Disclosure
Emergency Preparedness Plan
Governing Body Bylaws
Personnel Policies
Service Descriptions
Job Descriptions
Infection Control Plan
Policy & Procedures Manual
⚡️ Don’t want to write all of these yourself?
👉 We offer a ready-to-use Virginia Home Care Licensing Document Bundle — created by industry experts.
[Get the Full Bundle for $69]
Step 5: Set Up Your Office and Staffing
Virginia requires:
A physical administrative office
An Administrator (can be you)
A Nurse (if providing skilled services)
Written policies on hiring, background checks, training, etc.
Step 6: Submit Your Application
Submit your application to the Virginia Department of Health. Fees vary depending on the services offered.
You may be subject to:
An on-site survey
Background checks
Policy & document reviews
Step 7: Prepare for Inspection & Launch
Before approval, the Department may:
Visit your site
Review documents
Ask clarifying questions
Once approved, you’ll be licensed to operate!
From there, begin marketing to hospitals, senior centers, social workers, and online platforms like Caring.com.
Don’t Forget Your Free Licensing Checklist
This guide is detailed, but you’ll want something printable to keep you on track during the process.
🎁 Download the Free “Virginia Home Care Startup Checklist”
Includes a full step-by-step list, timelines, and required documents
Final Thoughts
Starting a home care agency in Virginia takes patience, planning, and paperwork — but it’s completely doable. With the right tools and resources, you can go from idea to fully licensed agency faster than you think.
Need help along the way? Our mission is to make this process easier for new agency owners like you.
Need Help With Your Documents?
Instead of spending weeks writing complex policies from scratch, get our Virginia-Ready Licensing Document Kit — the same one used by dozens of successful agency owners.
✅ Pre-written, editable, and state-compliant
✅ Saves you 40+ hours of writing
✅ Instant download — just $69
👉 Grab Your Licensing Documents Bundle Now
- Moi
Hey I'm Telvin, I've worked inside licensed home care agencies for years, handling everything from day-to-day operations to preparing for state inspections. I know exactly what documents get approved and what gets rejected. After seeing many people struggle to start their own agencies (or get ripped off by consultants), I decided to turn my experience into a resource that's actually affordable and effective.
This document pack is the exact toolkit I wish I had when was starting out. It's not theory or fluff. It's based on real-world requirements used in actual home care businesses. Whether you're just getting started or feeling stuck in the licensing process, these templates will save you time, reduce stress, and help you build your agency the right way.
Start Your Agency the Smart Way
Don't waste time or risk getting denied. Use proven documents from inside the industry.