How can I tell if a home care agency is properly licensed and insured?

✓ Accepted answer

Verify a home care agency's credentials by checking your state's health department database and requesting proof of liability insurance and criminal background checks directly from the agency before signing any contract.

• Check State Licensure: Start by contacting your state's Department of Health or Aging Services, as home care agencies are regulated at the state level. Use their public lookup tools to confirm the agency is actively licensed and has no recent violations.
• Demand Insurance Proof: Request a certificate of insurance showing general liability coverage, which typically ranges from $1 million to $2 million depending on state requirements. Ensure the policy specifically covers their caregivers while they are in your home, not just the agency's offices.
• Verify Background Checks: Ask specifically if they conduct fingerprint-based criminal background checks through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or a state agency. Confirm they also run sex offender registry checks and drug screenings. Do not accept a generic "we check backgrounds" claim without seeing the specific procedures.
• Look for Accreditation: While not legally required, voluntary accreditation from a national organization like the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) or the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHCO) indicates the agency meets high industry standards for safety and staff training.
• Consult the Agency: Ask the hiring agency how long they have been in business, what their staff-to-caseload ratios are, and how they handle complaints. A reputable agency will share this information transparently without hesitation.

admin · 2026-09-29 10:09:19