Starting a Home Health Agency in Georgia: Certificate of Need Comes First

In Georgia, a home health agency needs a Certificate of Need before it can be licensed.

If you're building a home health agency in Georgia, sequence is everything. Here's how the Certificate of Need and licensing fit together.

The CON comes first

Home health is a Certificate of Need service in Georgia, administered by the Department of Community Health, Office of Health Planning. You generally can't be licensed until the CON requirement is met.

Timing and your application

File a letter of intent at least 30 days before your CON application, then submit during the state's batching cycle — miss a window and you can wait months. Your application carries policies, staff resumes, background checks, and budgets, and a multi-month review plus an on-site inspection come before your license.

Key takeaway: In Georgia, secure your Certificate of Need through DCH before licensing — file your letter of intent 30 days ahead and submit in the correct batching window.

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