Maryland home care and home health consulting

How to start a home care agency in Maryland and reach your first client faster

Maryland licenses personal care, and the license leans clinical. The Residential Service Agency license from OHCQ expects a registered nurse to assess clients and supervise care, certified caregivers for clients the nurse says need one, written policies on every COMAR 10.07.05 topic and a business plan. Medicaid personal assistance then needs enrollment in the new MPRIME portal and LTSSMaryland timekeeping, and home health and hospice need a Certificate of Need first. We put all of it in the right order for you.

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  • Christine OchimasRN, LMFT, MBA
  • All three care typesNonmedical, home health, hospice
  • Written to Maryland rulesCOMAR 10.07.05 and COMAR 10.09.84
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  • All 50 states and DCExpand beyond Maryland with us

Updated November 2026 · Reviewed by Christine Ochimas, RN, LMFT, MBA

Quick answer: Yes, for most home care. A business that sends workers to provide personal care, home health aide, nursing or other home health care services needs a Residential Service Agency (RSA) license from the Maryland Department of Health, Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ), under COMAR 10.07.05. Agencies that provide only household and family support services, such as housekeeping, meals and errands, need no license. Home health agencies (COMAR 10.07.10) and general hospices (COMAR 10.07.21) need a Certificate of Need from the Maryland Health Care Commission before OHCQ licensure.
Maryland path finder

Answer two questions. See exactly what Maryland requires.

1. What care will you provide?
2. Who will pay for most clients?
Most growth

Personal assistance for Community First Choice participants

State license
RSA license from OHCQ (COMAR 10.07.05); Medicaid conditions in COMAR 10.09.84.06
Who you deal with
OHCQ and the Maryland Department of Health Medicaid Administration
Must haves
RSA license, Maryland Medicaid enrollment in MPRIME (Provider Type 76), an employed registered nurse, CNAs or CMTs for delegated nursing tasks, State criminal history checks on all direct service workers, LTSSMaryland EVV
Realistic time to first client
Several months
See the Community First Choice ready agency package

Orientation for Maryland only. We confirm your exact path on the free call.

The real Maryland problem

Three places new Maryland agencies lose months

Each one keeps you paying rent, insurance and payroll while no clients arrive.

A nurse led license, not a business permit

COMAR 10.07.05 requires a registered nurse to assess each new client who needs skilled services and help with daily activities, decide whether a certified nursing assistant is needed, and visit on site at least every 45 days to 4 months depending on medications. Clients who need a certified caregiver for daily activities or medication administration must get one. Owners who budgeted for companions find out late.

What it costs: RN payroll and certified caregiver wages that were never in the business plan, and clients you cannot accept until they are.

The application that sits for 180 days

OHCQ accepts only a typed application with a business plan, an organizational chart, policies for every topic in COMAR 10.07.05.08B, an SDAT good standing letter and proof of workers' compensation, plus the online RSA Certification on worker classification. OHCQ holds an incomplete application for 180 days, then closes it.

What it costs: Months of rent and insurance with no license, and a new application from scratch if yours is closed.

Medicaid enrollment moved to a new portal

Maryland Medicaid replaced ePREP with MPRIME on October 13, 2026, after holding new enrollment applications from July and August 2026. Drafts and documents in ePREP did not carry over. After enrollment, every personal assistance worker must clock in and out through LTSSMaryland EVV before the agency can bill.

What it costs: Weeks with licensed staff and Community First Choice clients you cannot bill for.

What does a delay cost your agency?

Enter your own numbers. Nothing is stored or sent.

Spent before revenue catches up$18,000
Plan a faster launch
Know which business you are starting

Home care vs home health vs hospice in Maryland

The three sound alike and are regulated differently. The one you choose decides your regulator, staffing, startup capital and timeline.

TopicNonmedical home careHome health (skilled)Hospice
What your staff doPersonal care and home health aide services (RSA license); housekeeping, meals, shopping and errands only (no license)Skilled nursing, home health aide services and at least one other home health care service, centrally administeredPalliative and supportive care for people who are terminally ill and their families; general (skilled) or limited (nonskilled) programs
State licenseOHCQ Residential Service Agency license (COMAR 10.07.05), valid 3 yearsOHCQ home health agency license (COMAR 10.07.10), valid 1 yearOHCQ hospice care program license (COMAR 10.07.21), valid 3 years
Certificate of NeedNoYes: MHCC Certificate of Need or exemption before licensureYes for a general hospice: MHCC Certificate of Need before licensure
Main payersPrivate pay; Medicaid personal assistance through Community First Choice, CPAS and the Home and Community-Based Options Waiver, paid by Maryland Medicaid directlyMedicare, HealthChoice MCOs, commercial insuranceMedicare hospice benefit, HealthChoice MCOs
MedicareNot coveredAccreditation or state survey, then Medicare enrollment; check the CMS moratoriumAccreditation or state survey, then Medicare enrollment; check the CMS moratorium
Key staffRegistered nurse for assessments, delegation and supervision; CNAs or CMTs where the nurse requires themQualified administrator, professional advisory group, registered nurse reachable within 30 minutes around the clock, trained home health aidesMedical director, registered nurses, interdisciplinary team
Startup capitalModerate: RN time and certified caregiver wages from the startHigher: Certificate of Need, clinical payroll before Medicare revenueHighest: Certificate of Need, interdisciplinary team before revenue
Time to first clientMonths (private pay) to several months (Community First Choice)Longest: Certificate of Need, licensure, survey, enrollmentLongest: Certificate of Need, licensure, survey, enrollment

Most Maryland owners start as a Residential Service Agency. The RSA license covers personal care, nursing and therapy in the home, but an RSA may not advertise itself as a home health agency or hospice unless it holds that separate license (COMAR 10.07.05.06). Home health and general hospice both start with a Certificate of Need from MHCC, filed on the Commission's published review schedule. We plan both from day one so your policies, nurse and hiring grow with you.

Maryland requirements at a glance

Home care licenseResidential Service Agency (RSA) license from the Maryland Department of Health, Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ), under COMAR 10.07.05. Valid 3 years and lists each home health care service you provide.
When no license is neededAgencies that provide only household and family support services: light housekeeping, meal planning and preparation, shopping and errands, and child care for children with no medical needs (COMAR 10.07.05.03B)
Home health and hospiceLicensed by OHCQ under COMAR 10.07.10 (home health) and COMAR 10.07.21 (hospice), after a Certificate of Need from the Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC)
Medicaid home care programsCommunity First Choice (COMAR 10.09.84), Community Personal Assistance Services and the Home and Community-Based Options Waiver, run by the Maryland Department of Health Medicaid Administration and paid fee for service
Medicaid enrollmentMPRIME portal since October 13, 2026 (it replaced ePREP). Personal assistance agencies enroll as Provider Type 76.
Caregiver staffingRegistered nurse assessment and supervision; a certified caregiver (CNA or certified medication technician) for clients who need one for daily activities or medication administration
Background checksState criminal history records check or private agency background check before work starts (Health-General §19-1902); Community First Choice requires a State check on all direct service workers, nurses included
Electronic visit verificationLTSSMaryland EVV (the ISAS system) by mobile app, phone or one time password device for Community First Choice, Community Options, CPAS and ICS personal assistance
Medicare (home health, hospice)Accreditation by a CMS approved organization or a state survey, then Medicare enrollment. New enrollment has been paused nationwide since May 13, 2026.
Entity filingState Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) through Maryland Business Express; OHCQ and Maryland Medicaid both require good standing

Summary of Maryland requirements as of November 2026. Rules change; confirm with each agency before filing.

The process

Step by step: launching a home care agency in Maryland

The order matters. Your nurse, policies and SDAT good standing must be in place before the OHCQ application, because OHCQ holds incomplete applications for 180 days and then closes them. Medicaid enrollment and EVV come after the license.

  1. Form the business with SDAT

    File your LLC or corporation through Maryland Business Express, get an EIN, register for withholding with the Comptroller and for unemployment insurance in BEACON, and register for the FAMLI program. Order the SDAT good standing letter you will attach to the OHCQ application.

    You do this; we give you the checklist
  2. Decide your services and payer mix

    Household support only needs no license. Personal care, home health aide services, nursing or therapy need the RSA license, and the application asks you to list each service. Decide on private pay, Community First Choice or both. Use the path finder above.

    Decided on your free consultation
  3. Set up insurance and employment basics

    Buy workers' compensation (OHCQ asks for the declaration page), plus general and professional liability and auto coverage. Build Maryland earned sick and safe leave into payroll: one hour for every 30 hours worked, paid if you have 15 or more employees. FAMLI contributions start January 1, 2027.

    You do this; we specify what is required
  4. Hire your nurse and write the policies

    Bring on the registered nurse who will assess clients, write plans of care and supervise. Write policies for every COMAR 10.07.05.08B topic: administration, personnel, patient care, informed consent, and environment and safety. Add a business plan with a one year budget, a marketing plan and a detailed service description, plus an organizational chart.

    We write this for you
  5. Build the caregiver pipeline

    Screen every caregiver before referral: criminal history or private background check, license or certificate check with the Board of Nursing, TB screening, references, work history, I-9, an in person interview and a skills demonstration. Train on the COMAR 10.07.05.11 topics, including CPR and infection control. Outside trainers need OHCQ approval.

    We set up the system and tracker
  6. Apply to OHCQ for the RSA license

    Submit the typed application and attachments through OHCQ's online license application link, and have someone with authority over pay practices complete the online RSA Certification on worker classification. OHCQ may inspect before deciding and can charge $250 for each extra prelicensure visit.

    We prepare the application
  7. Enroll in Maryland Medicaid

    Apply in MPRIME as a personal assistance provider (Provider Type 76). MPRIME checks your SDAT good standing, and each location needs its own NPI and a current W-9. Maryland Medicaid says limited risk applications average 2 to 3 weeks and moderate and high risk applications 4 to 6 weeks, because of site visits.

    We prepare and manage it
  8. Set up LTSSMaryland and EVV

    Register your agency account in the LTSSMaryland Provider Portal and train every worker to clock in and out with the EVV mobile app or by phone. Collect participant signatures at least monthly and report incidents within 24 hours, as COMAR 10.09.84 requires.

    We walk you through setup

Certified caregivers, nurse supervision and background checks

Maryland's RSA rules tie caregiver qualifications to what each client needs, as judged by a registered nurse. COMAR 10.07.05.10 to .12 set the screening, training and supervision rules, and the Maryland Board of Nursing certifies nursing assistants and medication technicians.

  • Nurse assessment: A registered nurse assesses each new client who needs skilled services and help with daily activities, helps write the plan of care, and decides whether a certified nursing assistant is required. Assessments are repeated at least once a year and after a significant change in condition.
  • Nurse supervision visits: On site at least every 45 days if staff give medications, every 3 months if they help clients take their own medications, and every 4 months otherwise, or more often if the nurse decides.
  • Certified caregivers: An agency must send a CNA or certified medication technician to a client who needs one for daily activities or medication administration. An uncertified worker is allowed only for clients who need no help with daily activities, when the nurse finds no predictable adverse health consequences, or when a capable adult client signs a waiver.
  • CNA certification: A Board approved training program of at least 100 hours (60 classroom and lab, 40 supervised clinical) and a passed competency evaluation. Since April 2026, Maryland certifies CNA-I and CNA-II levels; a CNA-II may not work in a nursing facility but can work in home care.
  • Medication technicians: A certified medication technician completes a Board approved 20 hour training program. Medicaid personal assistance workers who give medications must be CMTs; workers doing other delegated nursing tasks must be CNAs.
  • Agency training: Every caregiver is trained in personal care, when to call the nurse, record keeping, ethics and confidentiality, CPR, infection control and preventing abuse and neglect. Training from an outside source needs OHCQ's written approval.
  • Background checks: Health-General §19-1902 requires a State criminal history records check or a private agency background check, plus a reference from the last employer, before an unlicensed caregiver starts work. Community First Choice agencies must use the State check for every direct service worker, nurses included.
  • Medicare home health aides: Aides in a Medicare certified home health agency need at least 75 hours of training, including 16 hours of supervised practical training, a competency evaluation and 12 hours of in service training a year (42 CFR 484.80).
Start these first. Hire your nurse and confirm each caregiver's Board of Nursing certificate before you file with OHCQ, because the nurse's assessments decide who you can staff and the checks must be done before anyone starts work.
Avoid these

Six mistakes that slow Maryland agencies down

We look for every one of these in the first week of an engagement.

Sending uncertified aides to clients who need a CNA

What it costs
A deficiency on your first OHCQ inspection and clients you must restaff overnight.
How we prevent it
A nurse assessment workflow that records the certification decision, and waiver forms that meet COMAR 10.07.05.12.

Missing nurse supervision visits

What it costs
Citations for the 45 day, 3 month or 4 month visits, most often for clients whose medications staff give.
How we prevent it
A tracker that schedules each client's supervision visit from the medication level in the plan of care.

Filing an incomplete OHCQ application

What it costs
OHCQ holds it for 180 days and then closes it, and handwritten applications are returned.
How we prevent it
We assemble the business plan, policies, SDAT letter, insurance pages and RSA Certification before anything is filed.

Skipping the RSA Certification

What it costs
No license, even if you plan to hire only employees, because Health-General §19-4A-11 makes it a condition of licensure.
How we prevent it
We schedule the online certification with your owner or payroll lead as part of the application.

Advertising without your license number

What it costs
Exposure to civil money penalties under COMAR 10.07.05.06, and the same for calling yourself a home health agency.
How we prevent it
Marketing and Google Business Profile copy that carries your license number and OHCQ's required statement.

Planning Medicaid around the old ePREP process

What it costs
Weeks lost on drafts that never transferred to MPRIME, then billing delays without LTSSMaryland EVV.
How we prevent it
We file in MPRIME and set up your LTSSMaryland portal and EVV training before your first participant starts.
Catch these before they cost you

In a free 30 minute call we confirm your Maryland path, flag the mistakes that apply to your plan, and give you a fixed price to handle the rest.

Get my free Maryland plan
How we help

Maryland launch packages

Three fixed price packages, matched to the path you choose. Your exact price is quoted in writing after your free call, before any work starts.

Fastest start

Private pay launch

For nonmedical agencies serving families who pay privately.

  • Maryland path and a dated launch plan
  • Policy and procedure manual written to COMAR 10.07.05 and COMAR 10.09.84
  • Service agreement, client rights and care plan forms
  • Caregiver hiring and screening workflow
  • Google Business Profile setup
Ask about this package
Clinical

Home health and Medicare

For skilled home health. Hospice is scoped separately.

  • Staffing and capital timeline
  • Policies written to OHCQ rules and the Medicare Conditions of Participation
  • License application and inspection readiness
  • Accreditation survey preparation
  • Medicare and Medicaid enrollment support
Ask about this package

Every package: one fixed price agreed in writing · you own 100% of your agency · no franchise fees or royalties.

On your own vs a franchise vs Lunaria

TopicOn your ownHome care franchiseWith Lunaria
Who owns the businessYouYou, under the franchisor's brand and rulesYou, 100%
Ongoing feesNoneRoyalties and brand fees, usually a share of revenueNone. One fixed project fee
Knowing what Maryland requiresPieced together from manuals and forumsA national playbook, adaptedConfirmed on your first call, then in writing
Policy manualA template, often from another stateThe franchisor's standard manualWritten to COMAR 10.07.05 and COMAR 10.09.84
Medicaid credentialingOne application at a timeVaries by franchisorPackets for Maryland Medicaid directly, as a Provider Type 76 personal assistance agency prepared together
Your brand and marketingUp to youThe franchisor's brand, with territory limitsYour brand, plus local search set up for you
Free download

The Maryland home care startup checklist

Every Maryland step in order: business setup, your payer path, policies, caregiver screening and training, Medicaid enrollment and getting found. The items to start first are starred.

  • Choose your services and payer mix (private pay, Community First Choice, or both)
  • Form your LLC or corporation with SDAT through Maryland Business Express
  • Get an EIN; register for withholding, unemployment insurance (BEACON) and FAMLI
  • Order your SDAT good standing letter
  • Buy workers' compensation, general and professional liability, and auto coverage
  • and 15 more steps

We send no newsletters. Your details are never shared.

Or have us do it for you
Who you will work with

Christine Ochimas, RN, LMFT, MBA

Christine founded Lunaria Care Consulting to give nurses and caregivers a direct route from "I want my own agency" to a compliant business with clients. She reads state requirements the way a reviewer does and writes policies the way a nurse would actually use them.

  • We serve owners in all 50 states and DC, with a plan written for Maryland
  • We help through enrollment and survey readiness, not just the application
  • We tell you what we cannot promise: no one can guarantee a state or health plan decision
Talk to Christine
Make your free call count

Have these ready for your consultation

  • The care you want to provide and the clients you want to serve
  • The Maryland cities or counties you plan to cover
  • Where you are now: idea, business formed or already operating
  • Who you expect to pay: families, Community First Choice, Medicare
  • Your target opening month and rough budget

No client or patient records. We never need them for a first call.

What it costs to start a home care agency in Maryland

ItemNotes
OHCQ licenseOHCQ's current RSA application says there is no fee to apply. COMAR 10.07.05.04 lists a $1,000 nonrefundable fee for each 3 year license term and for renewal, and $250 for each extra prelicensure visit. Confirm with OHCQ which fees apply to you.
Entity formation and good standingSDAT filing fees and the fee for the good standing letter through Maryland Business Express
Registered nurseAssessments, plans of care, delegation and supervision visits for every client who needs skilled services or help with daily activities
Certified caregiversCNA and CMT wages, and training program and Board fees if you sponsor certification
Background checksState criminal history records check or private agency background check fees per caregiver, paid by the agency
InsuranceWorkers' compensation, general and professional liability, auto coverage
Certificate of Need (home health, hospice)MHCC application costs and consultant or legal fees before licensure
Accreditation (home health, hospice)Accrediting organization application and survey fees
Operating reserveCovers payroll, rent and insurance while OHCQ licensure, Medicaid enrollment or Medicare enrollment are pending

Fees change. Confirm current amounts with each agency before budgeting.

How long it takes in Maryland

Private pay

Months: OHCQ does not publish a processing time, and a complete application with policies and a nurse in place is the biggest factor you control.

Community First Choice

Several months: the RSA license first, then MPRIME enrollment (Maryland Medicaid cites 2 to 6 weeks on average, depending on risk level) and LTSSMaryland EVV setup.

Home health or hospice

Longest: MHCC Certificate of Need on the Commission's review schedule, OHCQ licensure and survey, certification survey and Medicare enrollment, subject to any CMS moratorium.

Maryland's agencies compete hardest along the Baltimore and Washington corridor, where families have many licensed options and hospitals discharge patients home every day. OHCQ has reminded hospital and nursing home discharge planners to confirm that any home care agency they use holds the right license, so a clean RSA license and a clear list of services matter for referrals. Western Maryland, Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore cover long distances, and reliable staffing is the selling point there. Families search by county and town, so Google Business Profile and county pages for Montgomery, Prince George's, Anne Arundel, Baltimore County and your other areas matter.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a license to start a home care agency in Maryland?

Yes, if you provide personal care, home health aide services, nursing or any other home health care service. You need a Residential Service Agency license from OHCQ under COMAR 10.07.05. Agencies limited to household and family support services, such as housekeeping, meals, shopping and errands, do not need a license.

How much does a Maryland Residential Service Agency license cost?

OHCQ's current application says there is no fee to apply. COMAR 10.07.05.04 lists a $1,000 nonrefundable fee for each 3 year license term and at renewal, and OHCQ may charge $250 for each extra prelicensure visit. Confirm the current fees with OHCQ before you budget.

Do Maryland caregivers need to be CNAs?

Often, yes. COMAR 10.07.05.10 requires a certified caregiver, such as a CNA or certified medication technician, for a client who needs one for daily activities or medication administration. An uncertified worker is allowed only in limited cases, such as when the supervising nurse finds no predictable adverse health consequences or a capable adult client signs a waiver.

How long does it take to get an RSA license in Maryland?

OHCQ does not publish a standard processing time. A complete application moves fastest. An incomplete one is held for 180 days from receipt and then closed, and you would have to start a new application.

Can a Maryland RSA bill Medicaid?

Yes. A licensed RSA that employs a registered nurse can enroll with Maryland Medicaid in MPRIME as a personal assistance provider (Provider Type 76) and serve participants in Community First Choice, Community Personal Assistance Services and the Home and Community-Based Options Waiver. Workers clock in and out through LTSSMaryland EVV.

Does Maryland require a Certificate of Need for home health or hospice?

Yes. A new home health agency needs a Certificate of Need or an exemption from the Maryland Health Care Commission before OHCQ will license it, and so does a general hospice care program. A Residential Service Agency does not need one.

Can I open a Medicare certified home health agency or hospice in Maryland now?

CMS placed a nationwide moratorium on new Medicare enrollment of home health agencies and hospices from May 13, 2026, for six months unless extended, so it may have ended or been extended by the time you read this. Maryland adds a Certificate of Need before licensure. Check the CMS moratoria page before you plan around Medicare.

Is a franchise a better way to start a home care agency in Maryland?

A franchise gives you a brand and playbook in exchange for fees and ongoing royalties. Starting independently with Lunaria costs one fixed price, and you own 100% of your agency with no franchise fees or royalties.

How much does Maryland home care consulting cost?

Lunaria charges one fixed price per engagement, based on your path: private pay, Community First Choice or home health and Medicare. You receive the price in writing after a free 30 minute consultation. There are no hourly charges.

Do you only work in Maryland?

No. Lunaria works with owners in all 50 states and DC, so you can expand into Virginia, DC or another state with the same team.

Sources checked for this guide (48)

This guide is general information and reflects Maryland requirements as we understood them in November 2026. Requirements change. Confirm current rules, fees and procedures with the Maryland Department of Health, Office of Health Care Quality, Maryland Medicaid, the Maryland Health Care Commission and CMS before filing. Lunaria Care Consulting provides professional consulting services and does not provide legal advice.

Reviewed by Christine Ochimas, RN, LMFT, MBAFounder, Lunaria Care Consulting · Updated November 2026

Other states: see all state guides. What we do: licensing, compliance, Medicaid enrollment and local search marketing.

Open your Maryland agency with the steps in the right order

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