How to Start a Non-Medical Home Care Agency in Nevada

Current as of October 20, 2026. Based only on official Nevada sources, cited throughout. Plain-English summary, not legal advice.

Starting a non-medical home care agency in Nevada means getting a state license before you serve anyone. This guide walks you through the big picture, in order: what the license covers, how to set up your business, what to send the state, and what must be in place before your first client.

It is a roadmap, not legal advice. Each rule links to the official Nevada source so you can read it yourself. When something is unclear, call the state licensing office at (702) 486-6515, the number listed on the official program page.

Step 1: Confirm you need a personal care agency license

In Nevada, the license is called an “agency to provide personal care services in the home.” The law defines it as any person, other than a natural person, that provides personal care services to elderly people or people with disabilities in their homes (NRS 449B.015). In everyday terms, that means a business entity, such as an LLC or corporation.

Personal care services are non-medical help with daily life. The law lists examples including bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, meals, laundry, shopping, cleaning and transportation (NRS 449B.050).

The law also says what does not count as an agency, including an independent contractor who works without employees (NRS 449B.015).

Why it matters: running an agency without a license is a misdemeanor. A court can also impose a civil penalty of up to $10,000 for a first offense (NRS 449B.485).

Pick the right license. The state warns that an “Employment Agency to Provide Non-Medical Services” is a different license. If you apply for the wrong one, processing can be delayed, and application fees are non-refundable (official program page).

Step 2: Form your business entity

Because the license goes to a business entity, most people form an LLC or a corporation first. The state application asks for your formation documents:

• LLC: Articles of Organization (listing the LLC name, officers and Nevada Business ID) and a fully executed Operating Agreement (state licensing checklist).
• Corporation: Articles of Incorporation and fully executed bylaws (state licensing checklist).
• Partnership: a fully executed partnership agreement, if it applies.

The regulations also require ownership details. You must list each owner, anyone with an ownership interest of 10% or more, and the officers and directors (or partners) (NAC 449.011).

Choose your business name carefully. The law says an agency’s name, sign or listing must not mislead the public about the services it offers (NRS 449B.475). For a non-medical agency, avoid wording that suggests medical or nursing care.

Step 3: Get your state and local business licenses

You need two kinds of business license:

1. Nevada State Business License from the Secretary of State, showing your NV business ID. The state accepts only a copy of the license itself. “No receipts or screenshots from SilverFlume” (state licensing checklist).
2. Local (city or county) approval. This is a local business license, a Conditional Use Verification Form, or a Special Use Permit. It must show your DBA name and physical location, and payment receipts are not accepted (state licensing checklist).

Each city and county has its own process and fees. We have not researched those, so check with your own city or county (for example Henderson, Las Vegas or Clark County) [VERIFY].

Step 4: Secure a Nevada location

The state checklist says: “All Licensed facilities must have a physical location in the State of Nevada.” You must upload a fully executed lease that lists your agency name, the physical address and proof that you may run the agency there. If you own the property, you upload the recorded deed instead (state licensing checklist).

Each license is issued for a specific location. You may also operate “work stations” (satellite offices) as long as client, staff and agency records are kept at the licensed location (NAC 449.3972).

Thinking of using a home office? The checklist does not say whether a residence qualifies, so ask the Division before you sign anything [VERIFY].

Step 5: Get insurance and a surety bond

Liability insurance. Your agency must keep proof that it is adequately covered against liabilities, and that proof is checked when you first apply (NAC 449.3972). On the certificate of insurance, the “certificate holder” must be the Health Care Purchasing and Compliance Division, 727 Fairview Drive, Suite E, Carson City, NV 89701 (state licensing checklist). We found no official minimum dollar amount, so ask your insurer and the Division [VERIFY].

Surety bond. The bond amount depends on how many employees you have (NRS 449B.185):

The state’s checklist page describes the middle range as “7-24,” which does not match the statute. If you will have exactly 25 employees, confirm the amount with the Division [VERIFY].

If your bond coverage lapses, your license is suspended by operation of law (NRS 449B.185).

Step 6: Complete owner training and background checks

Elder abuse training. The applicant must complete training to recognize and prevent abuse of older persons before a license is issued. Training finished within the year before you apply counts (NRS 449B.225). The course is linked on the state’s Training & Education page.

Background checks. Each applicant must submit fingerprints to the Central Repository for Nevada Records of Criminal History (NRS 449B.300). The checklist says each owner with 10% or more ownership must do a background check (state licensing checklist).

New applicants also take the state’s NABS background check training. It is described as “about 1 hour and 20 minutes” plus a quiz, and you email the certificate to the licensing office (background check page).

An older state PDF checklist also listed a “Mandatory Applicant Licensure Training” class. It is not on the current checklist, so ask whether it is still required [VERIFY].

Step 7: Choose a qualified administrator

Every agency needs an administrator. The rule says the administrator must (NAC 449.3973):

• be at least 18 years old;
• have a high school diploma or the equivalent;
• be responsible and mature;
• understand the state’s personal care rules; and
• be able to read, write, speak and understand English.

The administrator also appoints someone to act when they are away. For the application you will upload the administrator’s resume, high school diploma (a foreign diploma must go through NACES), proof of age, and their current elder abuse training (state licensing checklist).

Step 8: Apply online and pay the fee

You apply through the state’s online licensing system, linked from the official program page. For a document-by-document list of what to upload, see our Nevada license application checklist.

By our own arithmetic, 6% of $687 is $41.22. The regulation does not state that dollar figure. These fees are nonrefundable.

The fees come from a regulation that the 2025 law keeps in place until new rules replace it (AB 519, sec. 147), so confirm the current amount before you pay [VERIFY].

An application is valid for 1 year. If you do not meet the requirements within that year, you must reapply and pay again (NAC 449.013).

Step 9: Prepare for the state’s review

After you apply, the Division investigates and does a prelicensure survey of your agency, its staff qualifications, methods and policies (NAC 449.0112). A fire marshal report is not required before a personal care agency is licensed.

The state publishes the inspection workbook it uses. Reading it is the best way to see what reviewers look for: written policies, staff files and client paperwork (Initial Inspection Workbook).

How long does it take? No official timeline is published. Ask the Division for current processing times [VERIFY].

A license is issued only when the Division finds you in full compliance with the statute and substantial compliance with the regulations (NRS 449B.200). No checklist, including ours, can guarantee approval.

Step 10: Get ready to hire and serve clients

Before your first shift, put these in place:

• Written policies on 13 topics, such as attendant duties, prohibited activities, client rights, infection control and emergencies (NAC 449.3974).
• Hiring steps. Within 10 days of hiring, start each employee’s background check (NRS 449B.310). You open your fingerprint account with the Department of Public Safety only after you are licensed (background check page).
• Caregiver health checks. Each caregiver needs a physical exam (or a health-care-provider certification) and a TB screening within the past 12 months before starting work (NAC 441A.375).
• Caregiver training and a first aid/CPR certificate within 6 months of starting (NAC 449.3976).
• Client paperwork: a signed disclosure statement, a written description of client rights, and a documented initial screening and service plan (NAC 449.3979, NAC 449.398, NAC 449.3981).
• A nondiscrimination statement in the exact wording set by law, posted prominently on your website (NRS 449B.260).

The full list of staff and client rules is in our guide to Nevada personal care agency license requirements.

Our Nevada Starter Forms Pack ($29) has editable templates for a client intake form, service agreement, caregiver timesheet, incident report and training log.

Step 11: Plan for renewal

A license expires on December 31 after it is issued (NRS 449B.210). Your renewal application is due by November 15. If you file between November 16 and December 31 without good cause, you pay the renewal fee plus an extra half. If the license expires before you file, you must apply for a new license (NAC 449.0116).

Put November 15 on your calendar now.

Your next step

Get the free Nevada licensing checklist (PDF). It puts every step and document above on two printable pages, with citations.