State Licensing

All home care providers in California are now required to be licensed by the Department of Social Services, Home Care Services Bureau.  Licensing ensures a minimum standard of care and state oversight, for the protection of clients served.  State licensing for home care requires the following:

  • Livescan criminal background clearance through the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation for all employees
  • Home Care Aides registered with the state
  • Initial and annual training for Home Care Aides
  • Annual TB testing for Home Care Aides
  • General and Professional Liability Insurance coverage to $1,000,000 per occurrence, $3,000,000 aggregate
  • Workers Compensation insurance to $1,000,000
  • Surety bonding of at least $25,000
  • Policies and procedures for elder abuse reporting
  • Compliance with applicable labor laws

Several home care companies still operate without being licensed by the state, which is a violation of law.  Licensing and its requirements are costly, and some companies attempt to skirt the law by classifying their workers as “Independent Contractors.”  Clients who receive care from an Independent Contractor-based company are put at significant risk for liabilities such as workplace injuries, payroll taxes, and more.

To check the status of a license, visit: https://secure.dss.ca.gov/CareFacilitySearch/home/index

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Click here.