From application to approval, we handle your OHA licensing — then hand you the platform to run your agency from day one. Most consultancies disappear when your license arrives. We keep going.
Want to open a non-medical home care agency in Oregon? You need a In-Home Care Agency (IHCA) License from the Oregon Health Authority. Plan on 60–120 days for provisional approval plus an on-site survey. State filing fees total $2,000 and are paid directly to OHA.
Non-medical home care agencies do not require a CON in Oregon.
Medicaid Program
Oregon Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services
Program details available during your strategy call.
Home Care License Type in Oregon
Oregon regulates home-based care under several license categories. Most new founders start with a IHCA License for non-medical care, then add skilled services later if they choose.
NON-MEDICAL
In-Home Care Agency (IHCA) License
Oregon requires an In-Home Care Agency (IHCA) License for non-medical home care agencies.
Personal care and daily living assistance
Companionship and homemaker services
Medication reminders (not administration)
Transportation and errand assistance
Respite care for family caregivers
State fee:
$2,000 application fee
Timeline:
60-120 Days for provisional approval
Regulator:
Oregon Health Authority
How to Get Licensed in Oregon
Oregon licensing follows a structured 7-step process through OHA. Our specialists handle all 7 steps in the Launch and Signature packages; in the Licensing Kit, you handle the submission yourself with our expert guidance.
60–120 days from start to provisional approval
1
FOUNDATION
2
INSURANCE
3
POLICIES
4
APPLICATION
5
OPERATIONS
1
Register your business
FOUNDATION
Register your LLC or corporation with the Oregon Secretary of State. Get your EIN from the IRS and register for state taxes. Choose a business name and register it if different from your legal entity name.
2
Choose your IHC license class
INSURANCE
Decide which license class matches your services: Limited ($2,000), Basic ($2,250), Intermediate ($2,500), or Comprehensive ($3,000). The class determines your scope of services and regulatory requirements.
3
Develop policies & procedures using OHA matrix
POLICIES
Write policies covering care delivery, infection control, safety precautions, emergency protocols, client rights, personnel hiring/training/supervision, and medication management guidelines (even for non-medical agencies assisting with self-administration). Use the OHA matrix/checklist to ensure alignment with revised OARs — this is critical.
4
Secure insurance & complete background checks
INSURANCE
Get general liability ($1M/$3M), professional liability, and workers' comp insurance. Complete criminal record checks and abuse investigation checks for all owners, administrators, and initial staff.
5
Submit application through HFLC Licensing Portal
APPLICATION
Apply online at hflclicensing.oregon.gov. Include completed application, appropriate fee, background check results for owners, policies and procedures, proof of insurance, administrator credentials, and a detailed business plan.
6
OHA review & license issuance
OPERATIONS
OHA reviews your application and documentation for compliance with OAR Chapter 333 Division 536 and ORS 443.305-443.355. Respond to any requests or deficiency notices promptly. Once approved, your IHC license is issued.
7
Enroll caregivers in registry & begin operations
OPERATIONS
Register all caregivers in the Oregon state caregiver registry before they provide services. Complete required training (Alzheimer's, abuse prevention, ADLs). Staff must be at least 18 (21 for working alone for extended periods). Begin serving clients and maintaining Caregiver Activity Notes.
Why Oregon Founders Choose HomeCareAtlas
The biggest difference between us and traditional consultancies isn't the license — it's what happens after the license arrives.
Traditional Consultant
HomeCareAtlas
Pricing
Gated, sales-call only
Published online, no surprises
Policies & Procedures
Generic templates
Built around your state and your service model
Application Filing
You assemble the packet
Done-for-you in Launch and Signature
Survey Day
You're on your own
On-call phone support during your state visit
After License Arrives
Relationship ends
Platform, dashboard, and directory listing go live
Caregiver Onboarding
Not included
Digital onboarding ready for hire #1
Compliance Tracking
You build a spreadsheet
Live compliance dashboard included
Directory Presence
None
Listed on Carezano the day you open
Three Ways to Get Your Oregon Agency Licensed
Pick the level of support that matches how hands-on you want to be. Oregon state fees ($2,000 to OHA) are passed through at cost.
Atlas Licensing Kit
Get licensed without mistakes
$1,495+ state fees
For self-directed founders who want expert guidance and will file the application themselves.
Licensing
Oregon licensing roadmap
Annotated application guide
Custom P&P manual (state-ready)
Prep tools
Office setup checklist
Bond & insurance sourcing
Admin interview prep
Survey prep guide
Expert support
2 × 60-min strategy calls
Application red-line review
60 days email support
Platform
3 months free Atlas SaaS
Free Carezano directory listing
Upgrade to Launch for
Done-for-you filing
Medicaid enrollment
Website & launch kit
Live survey prep
Most Popular
Atlas Launch
Licensed & ready for first client
$3,995+ state fees
For founders ready to be fully licensed, operational, and taking their first client on day one.
Everything in Licensing Kit, plus:
Application prepared & filed
P&P custom-built for your model
Background check coordination
Surety bond assistance
Site review prep
Live admin interview prep
Survey & enrollment
Live survey prep session
Survey-day on-call support
Medicaid enrollment guidance
Waiver enrollment guidance
50% off plan-of-correction support
Launch setup
Atlas Edge
Branded website landing page
Google Business Profile setup
Caregiver recruitment kit
HR / employee handbook
Intake + care plan templates
Scheduling templates
Support & platform
90 days Slack/email support
6 months free Atlas SaaS
Priority Carezano placement
Licensing approval guarantee
Upgrade to Signature for
Business formation (LLC, EIN)
Full brand + multi-page site
Go-to-market system
Founder-level attention
Atlas Signature
White-glove launch & full setup
$7,995+ state fees
For founders who want direct access, white-glove execution, and long-term support with minimal lift.
Everything in Launch, plus:
LLC formation + EIN
Registered agent (1st year)
Operating agreement
Full brand + web
Logo + branding kit
Business cards + marketing materials
Multi-page website
Domain + professional email
Go-to-market system
First-month marketing plan
Curated referral source list for your area
Discharge planner scripts
Private pay contracts
LTC insurance setup
Premium support
Signature Only
Weekly calls (first 60 days)
Direct phone/text access
Founder-level attention
Extended support
6 months compliance support
12 months free Atlas SaaS
Premium directory placement
First-year renewal included
1 free plan of correction
What are state fees?Hide state fee details
Oregon charges a state application fee, paid directly to the state licensing body. We don't mark it up.
Every tier includes free time on Home Care Atlas — the operating system for your new agency. This is the part other Oregon consultancies don't offer.
Oregon Licensing Workspace
Track your application, documents, and deadlines in one dashboard. Your Atlas specialist works in the same view you do.
Custom Oregon P&P Manual
Written around your state's rules, your service model, and your agency — not a generic national template. Survey-ready before you file.
Business Formation
LLC, EIN, NPI, surety bond, and insurance — all tracked and handled in Launch and Signature packages.
Compliance Dashboard
From caregiver #1 onward, every certification, background check, and required document is tracked with automatic expiration alerts.
Caregiver Onboarding
I-9, W-4, direct deposit, and required background-check verifications — all collected digitally.
Carezano Directory Listing
Listed on our public directory the day you open. Local families find you, referral partners find you, you're visible from day one.
Common Questions Before You Book
How much does an IHC license cost in Oregon?
Fees are tiered by license class: Limited ($2,000), Basic ($2,250), Intermediate ($2,500), Comprehensive ($3,000). Total startup costs range from $50,000 - $90,000 including insurance, training, office setup, and working capital.
How long does licensing take?
60-120 days from complete application to license. Using the OHA matrix/checklist to align your policies with revised OARs before submitting helps avoid deficiency notices and delays.
What are the license classes?
Oregon has four IHC license classes: Limited, Basic, Intermediate, and Comprehensive. Each has different service scopes, requirements, and fees. Choose based on the services you plan to provide.
What are the administrator requirements?
Must have at least 2 years of professional or management experience in a health-related field, or a relevant degree/certification. Must also pass background check.
Do caregivers need to be registered?
Yes. All caregivers must be enrolled in the Oregon state caregiver registry before providing care. They must also pass criminal record checks and abuse investigation checks.
What training is required for caregivers?
Caregivers must complete training in Alzheimer's/dementia care, abuse prevention, and ADL assistance before providing care. Staff must be 18+ (21+ for working alone for extended periods).
Is Oregon a good market for home care?
Oregon has 785,000 seniors (21.6% of the population) and a market rating of 4/5. High caregiver wages ($41,490 median) support premium billing rates ($35-$45/hr). Portland metro has the bulk of demand. Bend is growing fast with less competition. No sales tax is a pricing advantage.
What are the biggest mistakes to avoid?
Not aligning policies with revised OARs (use the OHA matrix/checklist), not properly registering caregivers in the state registry, underpricing services in this high-wage market, and underestimating Portland metro competition.
Oregon Home Care Licensing: What You Need to Know
Oregon requires an In-Home Care Agency (IHCA) License for non-medical home care agencies. This is separate from the Home Health Agency license (skilled nursing). The governing regulations are OAR Chapter 333 Division 536 and ORS 443.305-443.355. You apply through the HFLC Licensing Portal (hflclicensing.oregon.gov). Oregon has a tiered license system by class: Limited ($2,000), Basic ($2,250), Intermediate ($2,500), and Comprehensive ($3,000). All caregivers must be enrolled in the state caregiver registry and pass background checks. Oregon has no sales tax, which is an advantage for pricing.
The In-Home Care Agency (IHCA) License
Oregon requires an IHC license from OHA. Four license classes: Limited ($2,000), Basic ($2,250), Intermediate ($2,500), Comprehensive ($3,000). Choose the class that matches your planned service scope. The administrator must have at least 2 years of professional or management experience in a health-related field, or a relevant degree/certification. All caregivers must be enrolled in the Oregon state caregiver registry and pass criminal background checks and abuse investigation checks before providing care. OHA provides a matrix/checklist to ensure your policies align with the revised Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs). Use this before finalizing your policy manual — not aligning with revised OARs is one of the most common mistakes. Oregon also requires required administrator certification (typical cost N/A).
Certificate of Need (CON) in Oregon
Oregon does not require a Certificate of Need (CON) for non-medical home care. You can move directly into the licensing process without a separate market-need review.
Medicaid Participation — Oregon Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services
Oregon's Medicaid program funds home and community-based services for eligible individuals. EVV is required for all Medicaid-funded services.
Common Reasons Oregon Applications Are Rejected or Delayed
Generic P&P manuals that don't reflect state-specific regulations
Incomplete administrator documentation
Insurance or surety bond policies that don't meet state minimums
Missing or inadequate quality assurance program documentation
Physical office that doesn't meet site-review standards
Caregiver background checks that miss required state databases
Every one of these is preventable with proper preparation. It's the biggest reason founders choose done-for-you packages over DIY — the cost of a rejection in lost time is almost always higher than the cost of doing it right the first time.
Book a Free Oregon Strategy Call
30 minutes with a home care specialist. We'll map out Oregon licensing for your specific situation, your timeline, and your best path forward — even if you don't hire us.
Which Oregon license type fits your business model (In-Home Care Agency)
Your realistic timeline and budget
Whether Oregon Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services enrollment makes sense for your plan
Common Oregon-specific mistakes to avoid
If you'd like, which Atlas package is right for you
No pressure. No obligation. Oregon-specific guidance either way.
Your Future Oregon Clients Are Already Looking for Care.
Every week you spend piecing this together alone is a week you're not serving your first Oregon client. Let's get your agency licensed, launched, and visible — with people on your side who know OHA.
Built exclusively for non-medical home care|Oregon-specific guidance under OAR 333-536 (In-Home Care Agency)|Platform & HomeCareAtlas directory on day one
Oregon licensing details verified by HomeCareAtlas on March 1, 2026.
