Every answer was written and checked ahead of time, with the official document next to it. Nothing is made up on the spot.
Do I need a license to run a non-medical home care agency in Washington?
Yes, an in-home services agency license.
Home care services, such as personal care, homemaker help and respite, are licensed by the Department of Health under RCW 70.127 and WAC 246-335. Any person that employs or contracts with two or more people to provide in-home services needs a license, unless exempt. Exemptions include family members, individuals hired directly by the person receiving care, individuals under contract with DSHS, and people who give home care without pay. You may not use words like "home care" in your business name or ads without the license.
Written and checked September 22, 2026
How much does a Washington home care license cost?
$5,000 to start, per service category.
Since June 1, 2026, a new license costs $5,000 for each service category, plus $500 for each extra urban county and $100 for each extra rural county. The first license lasts 12 months; after that, licenses run two years. Two-year home care renewal fees range from $2,400 to $3,700 depending on FTEs, or $1,700 to $2,600 if you are under contract with and monitored by DSHS or an AAA and meet DOH's substantial-equivalency requirements.
Written and checked September 22, 2026
How long does a new aide have to become a certified home care aide?
365 days from hire, for now.
Under WAC 246-980, a long-term care worker must become certified within 365 days of hire, or 425 days with a provisional certificate (for workers with limited English). This timeline runs from August 25, 2025 through December 31, 2027 and applies to applications submitted by that date. The worker must still apply to DOH within 14 days of hire and finish training within 120 days. The law's normal limit is 200 days.
Written and checked September 22, 2026
How many training hours do Washington home care workers need?
75 hours within 120 days of hire.
The 75 hours are DSHS-approved entry-level training: two hours of orientation and three hours of safety training before giving any care, then 70 hours of basic training. After that, workers need 12 hours of continuing education a year. Nurses, certified nursing assistants and some others are exempt from the certification training.
Written and checked September 22, 2026
Can a new caregiver start work before the fingerprint results come back?
Yes, for up to 120 days.
The worker must first pass the name and date of birth check, and a fingerprint appointment must be scheduled. They may then have unsupervised access for a 120-day provisional period. Agency workers also need a new name and date of birth check every two years.
Written and checked September 22, 2026
Why is ProviderOne denying my personal care claims for EVV?
The EVV edits now deny instead of pay.
Through 2025, EVV errors were only reported. In 2026, DSHS set them to deny: missing or invalid caregiver SSSOP IDs from January 1, missing or wrong start and end times from April 1, and missing GPS location from July 1. Common fixes are rostering the caregiver before the first shift, using 24-hour times and splitting overnight shifts by date.
Written and checked September 22, 2026
Can my agency bill Medicaid when the caregiver is the client's family member?
Usually not.
DSHS does not pay a licensed home care agency for in-home Medicaid personal care or respite given by the client's family member. The rule does not apply if the family member is older than the client. DSHS can make case-by-case exceptions, and there is an exception for enrolled members of federally recognized tribes and their households.
Written and checked September 22, 2026
Which Apple Health (Medicaid) plans operate in Washington?
Five.
HCA's 2026 comparison guide lists Coordinated Care of Washington, Community Health Plan of Washington, Molina Healthcare of Washington, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan and Wellpoint Washington. Home health for plan members is billed to the plan. In-home personal care is authorized by DSHS or Area Agency on Aging case managers and billed to ProviderOne. A plan may fund extra behavioral health personal care hours, but DSHS still authorizes them.
Written and checked September 22, 2026
What is Washington's minimum wage?
$17.13 an hour in 2026.
The Department of Labor and Industries set the state minimum wage at $17.13 an hour from January 1, 2026. Workers who are 14 or 15 may be paid 85% of that, $14.56 an hour.
Written and checked September 22, 2026
Can WA Cares pay my agency for home care?
Yes, since July 1, 2026, as a registered provider.
WA Cares benefits became available on July 1, 2026 for eligible people who need help with at least three activities of daily living. Benefits are paid to long-term services and supports providers registered with DSHS, and licensed in-home services agencies are one kind of provider. Qualified family members may be paid through a licensed home care agency.
Written and checked September 22, 2026