When you legally need to register
If your agency provides personal care in people's own homes — help with washing, dressing, eating, or managing medication — this counts as a regulated activity under the Health and Social Care Act 2008, and you must register with CQC before delivering any services. This applies whether you're an individual, a partnership, or an organisation.
What you'll need to have in place
A realistic registration package includes: a suitably experienced registered manager (CQC looks for a proven track record, not just a job title); a business plan showing financial viability; domiciliary care policies and procedures tailored to your service, not just generic templates; enhanced DBS checks for your registered manager (countersigned by CQC, which can take up to 60 working days) and your nominated individual; a service user guide; proof of appropriate insurance; and evidence that your premises (even if just an office base) are suitable.
The application process
You apply as an individual, a partnership or an organisation. An organisation, such as a limited company, must name a nominated individual (a director, manager or secretary who supervises how the service is managed) and must have a registered manager: the person in day-to-day charge, who applies to CQC for their own registration alongside the company's application. If you register as an individual and will be in full-time day-to-day charge yourself, you may not need a separate registered manager. There's no application fee, but you'll pay an annual fee once registered, which covers CQC's registration, monitoring, inspection and rating work.
What slows registration down
The most common delays come from generic, unadapted policies that don't reflect how the specific agency actually intends to operate, an inexperienced or newly-appointed registered manager without a demonstrable track record, and incomplete or inconsistent paperwork across the application. Building your policies and governance structure around how you'll actually evidence compliance — not just what looks comprehensive — makes for a smoother application and a stronger starting position once you're registered.
Next, read how to prepare for your registration interview and how much it costs to start a home care agency.
Frequently asked
Do I need to register with the CQC to run a home care agency?
Yes, if your agency provides personal care in people's own homes, this is a regulated activity and you must register with the CQC before delivering any services.
Is there a fee to register a domiciliary care agency with CQC?
There is no upfront application fee, but registered providers pay an ongoing annual fee that covers CQC's compliance monitoring.
What usually delays a CQC registration application?
The most common causes are generic policies not tailored to the specific agency, an inexperienced registered manager without a demonstrable track record, and incomplete paperwork.