How to Offer In-Home CNA Services Without a License or Medical Degree

Want to start helping people in your community with basic caregiving services—but don’t have a CNA license or medical degree?

You’re not alone.

Many people are exploring how to offer in-home care legally and ethically—especially as demand for non-medical help skyrockets. The good news? You don’t need to be a nurse or have a medical license to build a thriving service-based business in this field.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to start offering in-home CNA-style services—the legal way—by focusing on non-medical, essential care that’s in high demand.

And yes, you can do it all from home, with just a website (via Bluehost), a way to collect payments (via Square), and basic marketing tools (like Constant Contact).

Let’s break it down step-by-step.

What In-Home Services Can You Offer Without a CNA License?

You can’t give injections, manage prescriptions, or provide wound care without a license. But there’s a huge market for non-medical in-home support, especially for:

• Seniors living at home

• People recovering from surgery

• Families managing chronic illness

• Busy caregivers needing a break

These are the services you can legally offer in most states without a CNA license:

• Light housekeeping

• Meal prep and grocery assistance

• Companionship

• Transportation to appointments

• Help with bathing (in some states, as a “personal care aide”)

• Help with dressing, walking, or getting in/out of bed

• Errands and medication reminders

• Alzheimer’s and dementia supervision (non-medical)

• Home safety checks

These tasks fall under “home care” or “personal care services”, not skilled nursing care. That’s what makes them accessible for people without medical degrees.

Always check your state’s home care regulations (we’ll cover that below), but you may be surprised at what’s possible with the right structure and training.

Step 1: Understand the Legal Requirements in Your State

Before offering any in-home services, you need to understand how your state defines home care and whether you need a business license, training, or registration.

Use your state’s health department or department of aging website to find:

• What counts as non-medical care

• Whether you need to register as a home care aide or personal assistant

• What training, if any, is required

• If you need to operate under a home care agency license

Some states (like Texas and Arizona) allow individuals to offer non-medical home care with basic business licensing. Others (like California and Illinois) have stricter registration processes.

Look up:“[Your state] home care license requirements for non-medical care”

Make a checklist of what’s needed. In most cases, it’s simple and affordable to register.

Step 2: Choose Your Service Model

You have two main options for offering CNA-style services without a license:

Option 1: Independent Personal Care Aide

You work directly with clients as a self-employed caregiver. You pick your hours, prices, and clients. This is ideal if you want to stay small or part-time.

You will need:

• A basic sole proprietorship or LLC setup

• A professional website

• Business liability insurance

• Clear boundaries around what you can and can’t do

This model is great for side income or starting a local brand with a low budget.

Option 2: Non-Medical Home Care Business

You build a small team of aides and offer in-home care under a business name. You’re the business owner, not necessarily the caregiver.

You’ll need:

• State registration as a home care provider

• Contracts and hiring systems

• Scheduling tools

• Payment processing and marketing systems

This model takes more setup but can scale into a full agency.

Whichever route you choose, it starts with making your business official.

Step 3: Register Your Business and Set Up Online

Once you’ve confirmed what you’re allowed to offer, it’s time to set up your business.

1. Register your business name

Choose something simple and trust-inspiring. For example:

• Gentle Care Solutions

• Safe Home Help

• Peaceful Path Support

• Local Family Care

• Everyday Care Companions

Check if the name is available as a .com domain. You can do that instantly at Bluehost.

2. Create a website

Go to Bluehost and get started with their basic plan. This includes:

• Free domain

• Secure hosting

• 1-click WordPress install

Use a professional WordPress theme designed for service businesses. Make sure your website includes:

• Home page: Describe who you help and what you offer

• Services page: List what you provide with clear descriptions

• About page: Share your story, experience, and values

• Contact page: Include a form and phone number

• Blog (optional): Share tips about caregiving, senior safety, etc.

You don’t need to be tech-savvy. Bluehost makes this easy with guided setup.

3. Set up a payment system

Use Square to:

• Accept debit/credit card payments

• Send invoices

• Offer mobile tap-to-pay if you visit homes

• Track your earnings for taxes

Square is free to sign up and takes a small processing fee per payment. It’s ideal for solo caregivers or new service businesses.

Step 4: Define and Package Your Services

Clients want to know exactly what you offer and how much it costs.

Start by listing your services. Example:

• Companion care (conversation, activities)

• Meal preparation and kitchen cleanup

• Bathing and dressing support

• Light housekeeping

• Medication reminders

• Transportation to appointments

• Grocery shopping and errands

• Safety supervision for dementia patients

Now package them into clear service options:

• 2-hour daily check-in: $60

• 4-hour care block: $110

• 8-hour caregiver shift: $200

• Weekly bundle (5x 4-hour visits): $500

You can also offer:

• First visit free

• Introductory rate for the first week

• Referral discounts for current clients

Keep pricing simple, fair, and transparent.

Step 5: Get Liability Insurance

This protects you in case of injury, accidents, or misunderstandings.

Look for “home care business insurance” or “general liability insurance for caregivers” in your state.

A basic policy may cost between $300–$800 per year. It’s worth it, especially if you’re working inside people’s homes.

Step 6: Start Marketing to Your Local Area

This is where most people get stuck—but it’s actually simple if you follow a system.

1. Build a lead generation funnel

Use Constant Contact to create:

• A newsletter signup on your website

• An automatic welcome email with a free offer

• Monthly caregiver tips and availability updates

Offer a free PDF like “5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Caregiver” to get emails.

2. Get listed in local directories

Sign up for:

• Google Business Profile

• Yelp

• Nextdoor

• Care.com (as a provider)

• AgingCare.com

• Local Facebook groups

Include your name, services, phone number, website, and city.

3. Partner with local organizations

Reach out to:

• Senior centers

• Churches

• Physical therapy clinics

• Independent living communities

• Home health agencies (you may complement their services)

Offer a flyer, brochure, or an introductory visit. Many places are happy to refer someone trustworthy.

4. Ask for referrals

Once you have a few clients, ask them to refer others. Offer a reward like:

• $25 off their next week of service

• A free extra hour of care

• A gift card for successful referrals

People trust word of mouth more than anything.

Step 7: Stay Legal and Grow Responsibly

As your business grows, stay focused on delivering safe, ethical, and legal services.

Do:

• Track your hours, payments, and appointments

• Keep client info private

• Continue checking state updates on home care regulations

• Set boundaries around services you can’t provide

• Be honest about your qualifications

Avoid:

• Calling yourself a “nurse” if you’re not

• Giving medical advice

• Accepting jobs outside your legal scope

Consider adding CPR training or caregiver certifications to build your credentials and confidence.

Sample Weekly Schedule

Here’s what a typical week might look like once your business is up and running:

Monday

• 10am–2pm: Meal prep and companion care for Client A

• 3pm–5pm: Shopping and transportation for Client B

Tuesday

• 9am–1pm: Safety supervision for dementia client

• 2pm–3pm: Discovery call with new lead

Wednesday

• 10am–2pm: Housekeeping and errands for Client A

• Evening: Send email to newsletter list

Thursday

• 9am–12pm: Visit a local senior center with flyers

• 1pm–5pm: Onboarding new client and contract signing

Friday

• 10am–2pm: Care visit and feedback collection

• 3pm–5pm: Update website and book appointments

With just 3–4 clients, you can build a solid part-time or full-time income.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I offer personal care without being a CNA?Yes, in most states you can assist with non-medical tasks like dressing, bathing, meal prep, and companionship without being licensed. Always check your state’s specific laws.

Can I work under a larger agency instead?Yes. If you don’t want to run your own business, you can apply to work with licensed home care agencies in your area.

How do I get my first client?Start with people you know. Reach out to local support groups, faith communities, and caregivers who might need backup. Post on Facebook and create local ads.

Is this business profitable?Yes. Many solo caregivers charge $20–$35/hour depending on location. Agencies charge even more. With consistent marketing and good service, this can become a long-term business.

Ready to Get Started?

Here’s your action plan:

1. Check your state’s rules

2. Register your business name

3. Set up your website with Bluehost

4. Use Square to accept payments

5. Use Constant Contact to market your services

6. List your services, set your rates, and start reaching out locally

This isn’t just a business—it’s a service your community desperately needs.

You don’t need a degree to make an impact. You need care, structure, and a plan.

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Adella Pasos has over 35,000 subscribers on YouTube. This Entrepreneur and Marketing Expert has shared her passion for growing brands from the ground up. She’s worked with Startups, Small Businesses, Fortune 500 Corporations and Entertainment Talent to help them recognize the value of marketing, and give her clients the ability to access their niche market via online, social media, mobile, merchandising, and events.

She hosts the What’s Your Game Plan TV show features: Free Expert Advice, and Growth strategies for Business Owners Across the Globe. Access thousands of FREE Tips, Trends & Tools to Move Your Business Forward!

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📢 Business Resources You Can Use

✔ Get your website name — Bluehost

✔ Branding Services — Fiverr Pro

✔ Create a New LLC — MyCorp

✔ SEO & Market Research Tools — SEMRush

✔ Logo & Brand Design Services — 99designs

✔ Best Email Marketing Tool for Beginners — Constant Contact

✔ Accept Credit or Debit Cards — Square