General Information
Frequently Asked Questions:
Homemaker and Companion Services (HCS) Registration
1. How much does it cost to register?
The fee is $50.75 for a 2-year registration. There are additional fees involved with background screening checks for all employees which is required for registration. Administrators, Financial Officers and all controlling interests are considered employees for the purposes of background screening. To operate an HCS business, an entity such as a corporation or an LLC must register with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, fee required.
2. Must an individual who is working alone register?
Even single individuals who do not employ staff are required to register. The law requires that any individual or organization that provides homemaker and/or companion services must register with AHCA.
3. Where do I get the application form and instructions?
Downloadable forms with instructions are available the HCPO Applications for Licensure page. Additionally, initial applicants, renewal applicants and applications to report changes may be entered through the online licensure system.
4. Do I need this registration, if I only plan to offer companion services to clients with developmental disabilities under my contract with the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD)?
No, an individual or organization under contract with APD which provides companion services ONLY to persons enrolled on the Medicaid Waiver for persons with disabilities are exempt from registration.
5. Can I provide personal care services such as bathing, feeding, and changing a client under this registration?
No, the Homemaker and Companion Services registration offered through AHCA does not allow hands on personal care to be provided.
6. How long does it take to become registered?
Upon receipt of an application for a license, the agency reviews the application and, within 30 days after receipt, notifies the applicant in writing of any apparent errors or omissions and requests any additional information required. The applicant then has 21 days from the date of receipt of an omissions letter to submit a reply. Within 60 days after the receipt of a complete application, the agency must approve or deny the application.
7. When receiving a letter of items needed for my Homemaker Companion Services Application, how many days do I have to respond to AHCA?
Requested information omitted from an application, must be sent to AHCA within 21 days of receipt of the letter. If the information is not received, the application will be withdrawn from further consideration. The fees are not refundable.
8. After the missing information has been sent back to AHCA, how long does AHCA have to issue my license?
AHCA has 60 days to issue or deny the license from the date that all missing items are received.
9. What can I name my homemaker companion services organization?
Use a name that shows the public the kind of services you provide under this registration. The name you select cannot include the words home health, certified nursing assistant, home health aide, personal care, patient care, health care, assisted living, nurses, nursing, medical, health professional, or any name that would imply to the public that you are registered or licensed to offer or provide any services that are beyond the scope allowed under the homemaker and companion law.
10. Do I need to register a fictitious name for my provider named business?
Yes, if you intend to operate your business under any name other than your legal name (first, middle and last name) or the legal name of your corporation, LLC or partnership. To register the fictitious name of your business, there is information at the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations website or by calling (850) 245-6000.
11. If I am a corporation, LLC or, Partnership do I need to register a fictitious name?
No, unless you are using a name other than your registered corporation, LLC or, Partnership name. However, if the legal name of your corporation, LLC or, Partnership includes the words home health, certified nursing assistant, home health aide, personal care, patient care, health care, assisted living, nurses, nursing, medical, health professional, or any name that would imply to the public that you are registered or licensed to offer or provide any services that are beyond the scope allowed under the homemaker and companion law, you will need to file for fictitious name registration through SunBiz.
12. Can I operate from my home?
Yes. Your home must be located within the state of Florida and in the area in which you intend to provide services. Please note that you may get inspected on an unannounced basis during the weekday if a complaint is received by AHCA. Also, your business name, your street address, and your telephone number will appear at the AHCA web site Florida Health Finder.
13. Is insurance is required?
Current Florida law does not require that homemaker and companion services have insurance for their registration. However, you may wish to obtain liability insurance for your own business protection.
14. If my registration expires, what do I need to do?
You must apply as an initial applicant and stop operating until you are registered again. All clients will need to be placed with a registered Homemaker Companion Service until your new registration has been issued.
15. If my registration expires during AHCA’s review of the application, what should I do?
If your registration expires during the Agency’s review, you may continue to operate. According to the state law, your business is still registered if you have submitted the application and fee prior to the license expiration date.
16. Is there a late fee if my application is not submitted 60 days prior to the expiration date?
Yes. The late fee is $25.38. You may send this fee with your application. The state law requires the late fee be paid before the Agency can issue the license.
17. If I have a Homemaker Companion Service (HCS) registration and recently received my Nurse Registry license (or Home Health Agency License), do I need both?
No, a Nurse Registry and a Home Health Agency can send out homemaker and companions under their licenses.
18. How do I add counties to my registration?
Submit a change during licensure application at no charge through the online licensure portal to add counties only within your designated geographic area which incorporates your business address.
19. I want to add a county to my registration and its almost time for renewal, can I wait until I submit my renewal application?
Yes. However, you cannot do services in the new county until your renewed registration takes effect.
20. When should I submit my renewal application?
You should submit your application at least 60 days prior to the expiration date of your registration. If your renewal application is received after the expiration date, there is no longer a registration to renew. Thus, your application will be returned with the check or money order, requesting an initial application.
21. I am filling out my renewal application; do I need to submit a new fingerprint card for background screening?
No. Not unless any employees have not been background screened within the last 5 years or have changed since your last application.
22. Do I have to be a Corporation, LLC or, Partnership to become HCS?
No. You can operate as a sole proprietor using your legal name and Social Security Number.
23. How do I file for a change of ownership?
The applicant for initial licensure due to a change of ownership must submit a change of ownership application which includes a letter signed by the seller (transferor) notifying AHCA of the coming sale or transfer to the buyer. The application must be received by AHCA at least 60 days prior to the proposed effective date of change of ownership. The sellers (transferors) registration must be active on the date the Agency issues the license to the buyer.
24. If the current registration expires prior to the effective date of the change of ownership, what should I do?
If the sellers (transferors) registration expires prior to the effective date of the change of ownership, the seller (transferor) must submit a renewal application (adhering to all guidelines) to renew their registration.
25. If my Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN#) changes and not the ownership percentage(s) is this a change of ownership?
Yes.
26. What is considered a change of ownership?
The state law (F.S. 408.803) reads that a change of ownership occurs:
(a) When the licensee sells or transfers its ownership to a different individual or entity as evidenced by a change in federal employer identification number or taxpayer identification number; or
(b) When 51 % or more of the ownership, shares, membership, or controlling interest of a licensee is in any manner transferred or otherwise assigned.
The above does not apply to a licensee that is publicly traded on a recognized stock exchange. Also, change solely in the management company or board of directors is not a change of ownership.
27. I plan to move my HCS business to a new location; what do I need to do?
Your business must be in one of the counties approved on your registration. In this case, you submit a change during licensure application with no charge through the online licensure system. If your business moves to a new location outside of the approved geographic area, you must submit a new initial application for the new area. Note that state law requires 21 days advance notice for a change in address application.
28. I need to change my mailing address only; what do I need to do?
Send an email to the AHCA Long Term Care Services Unit: [email protected] providing the mailing address change, giving your registration number, your old mailing address, the new mailing address. Please include any changes to telephone number, fax number and email address if these also changed. Please be sure to indicate that this change applies only to your mailing address.
29. I cannot locate my current registration certificate; how do I get a duplicate copy?
Send a letter requesting a duplicate copy of your registration, along with a check or money order for $25 payable to AHCA, to the Long Term Care Services Unit, 2727 Mahan Drive – Mail Stop 33, Tallahassee, FL 32308. Be sure to include your registration number, current address, telephone number, fax number and email address.
30. I am adding a DBA (doing business as) name to my Corporation's name; where do I list this on my application?
List the DBA name, also called a fictitious name, as the provider name on your application. The fictitious name must be registered with the Department of State, Division of Corporations.
31. Our agency already has a home health agency (or nurse registry) license. Do we also need to get a registration in order to offer homemakers and companions?
No. Homemakers and companions can be provided under the home health agency and nurse.
32. Do I have to have a website for this business?
No. If you do not have a website, write "NA" for not applicable when you are completing the application form. If you do have a website, your license (registration) number must appear on this site.
33. Do I have to have brochures, flyers or, printed materials for this business?
No. If you do not have printed materials, you do not need to upload these documents or include with the application form. If you do, your license/registration number must appear on all printed materials.
Background Screening for Homemaker Companion Services
Applicants must have:
Level 2 background screening by scanned fingerprints for managing employee & financial officer
Already Registered must:
Get level 2 screening for all new homemakers and companions before hiring.
All homemakers and companions that were level 1 screened have a phase-in time in state law for getting level 2 screening.
(a) Individuals for whom the last screening was conducted on or before December 31, 2004, must be rescreened by July 31, 2013.
(b) Individuals for whom the last screening conducted was between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2008, must be rescreened by July 31, 2014.
(c) Individuals for whom the last screening conducted was between January 1, 2009, through July 31, 2011, must be rescreened by July 31, 2015.
Click on link for more info on screenings, fees, and to find a LiveScan site near you:
Background Screening information
Also note -
Getting your "AHCA number" for scanning -- The above link refers to using your AHCA number for scheduling appointments for scanning or for the validation form used at the scanning site. AHCA number is the file number. New applicants will get a letter from AHCA with the number to be used for background screening after the application is received. If you do not receive a letter after submitting your application, call the AHCA Long Term Care Services Unit for the number. Those already registered should follow instructions on the website.
Renewals and Change of Ownership
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR RENEWALS:
Applications must be received at least 60 days in advance of expiration of registration.
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR CHANGES OF OWNERSHIP:
The registration may not be sold, assigned or otherwise transferred per state law (408.804(2), Florida Statutes). Thus, an application must be submitted for a new registration. Applications must be received from the buyer (transferee)at least 60 days prior to the actual change of ownership of the business. It must include a letter signed by the seller (transferor) notifying AHCA of the coming sale or transfer to the buyer per 408.807, F.S.
RETURN APPLICATION FORMS + FEE(s) TO:
Agency for Health Care Administration, Long Term Care Services Unit, 2727 Mahan Drive, Mail Stop# 34, Tallahassee, Florida 32308
