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Straight answers for Florida nurse registries

Practical articles on licensing, AHCA surveys, and running a nurse registry the right way, written by Scott Strachan, RN, BSN, who has run a licensed Florida nurse registry since 2007.

The Path to Licensure The Nurse Registry Podcast Helpful Links Report a Provider to AHCA Free Companion Care Guide

Articles

October 8, 2026

Buying Cheap Nurse Registry Policies and Forms? You May Get Exactly What You Paid For

Many Florida nurse registry policy manuals and forms call caregivers employees. That can pass AHCA and still create DOL and IRS misclassification risk.

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October 7, 2026

Do Florida Nurse Registries Need Labor Law Posters?

Do Florida nurse registries need labor law posters? Which ones apply, where to get them free, independent contractors, and home-based offices.

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October 5, 2026

Questions to Ask Before You Choose Nurse Registry Software

What to ask before you choose nurse registry software: the independent contractor model, FAB 2018-4, Florida-required notices, payments, 1099s, and training.

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September 30, 2026

Do Florida Nurse Registries Need Advance Directives or a DNR Form?

Florida nurse registries aren't required to collect advance directives. What the law says, how the yellow DNRO form works, and what to tell a surveyor.

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September 30, 2026

Can a Florida Nurse Registry Operate From Home?

Yes, a Florida nurse registry can operate from a home office if it's done compliantly. Zoning, HOA rules, office hours, and unannounced surveys explained.

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September 30, 2026

AHCA Omission Letters and Citations: How Florida Nurse Registries Should Respond

What AHCA omission letters and survey citations mean for Florida nurse registries, what AHCA cites most, and how to respond when you disagree.

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September 30, 2026

Proof of Financial Ability to Operate (PFAO) for Florida Nurse Registries

What AHCA's Proof of Financial Ability to Operate requires for nurse registries, the mistakes that trigger omission letters, and how much money to plan on.

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September 30, 2026

How Long Does It Take to Get a Nurse Registry License in Florida?

Plan on a little over three months. A Florida nurse registry owner and RN breaks down each stage, what AHCA controls, and what slows applicants down.

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September 30, 2026

How Much Does It Cost to Start a Nurse Registry in Florida?

Plan on $20,000 to $25,000 to start a Florida nurse registry. What it covers: the $2,000 AHCA license, office, insurance, and first-months cash flow.

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September 27, 2026

From Companion Service to Nurse Registry: What Florida Operators Need to Know

Florida companion and homemaker services can't provide hands-on care. Here's what changes when you become a licensed nurse registry, and where operators get stuck.

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Helpful links

Organizations, regulators, references, and software I point registry owners to. Outside links open the source directly.

Industry & advocacy

Private Care Association (PCA)A national association representing nurse registries and the independent-contractor caregiver model.New members: 50% off your first year with code 1STTIME on the online membership application.
PCA Florida ChapterFlorida registries working together on advocacy and education.
Hollrah LLC (Russ Hollrah)Washington, DC law firm focused on independent-contractor law. Helps registries structure and audit their caregiver relationships and defends them before the IRS, DOL, and state agencies.
The Nurse Registry PodcastConversations on licensing, compliance, and operations.

Florida regulators & lookups

AHCA Nurse Registry pageApplications, forms, and agency guidance.
How to Report a Home Care Provider to AHCAWhich agency handles what, a free report helper, and recent AHCA citations, updated monthly.
FloridaHealthFinderLook up licensed nurse registries and inspection reports.
AHCA Background ScreeningLevel 2 screening through the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse.
DOH License VerificationVerify RN, LPN, and CNA licenses and certifications.
CIE School SearchCheck the license status of private schools that issue HHA certificates. Public technical colleges aren't listed.
SunbizFlorida business entity filings.

Laws & rules

Section 400.506, Florida StatutesThe nurse registry statute.
Chapter 59A-18, F.A.C.AHCA's nurse registry rules.
Nurse Registry G-TagsThe regulation set surveyors use.
Core Licensure ZZ-TagsThe core licensure regulation set surveyors use alongside the G-Tags.
Homemaker Companion Services I-TagsThe regulation set surveyors use for companion and homemaker services, including what they may and may not do.

Federal guidance on registries

DOL Field Assistance Bulletin 2018-4U.S. Department of Labor guidance (July 13, 2018) on when a nurse or caregiver registry is, or is not, the caregiver's employer under the FLSA. Covers scheduling, control, pay rates, fees, payroll, timekeeping, screening, and hiring and firing.
2013 Domestic Service Final Rule (78 FR 60454)The DOL home care rule under the FLSA. Its preamble includes the “ABC Company” registry example (page 60484), where a referred caregiver is likely not the registry's employee. Search the PDF for “ABC Company.” FAB 2018-4 quotes the example in full.

Training & caregiver files

C-E-U.comOnline training for caregivers, nurses, and registry staff, including Alzheimer's/ADRD.
MyHealthForm.comOnline health statements for independently employed caregivers.
Ready-to-print materialsPrintable handouts for caregivers on C-E-U.com and MyHealthForm.com, plus a caregiver registration checklist.

Nurse registry software

AllyBuilt for registries using the independent contractor model. Collects client payments, pays caregivers weekly, and pays the registry its fee.Pricing: a percentage of client payments processed (rate not published). No license, startup, or implementation fees.
CareLinkRegistry software with scheduling, billing, caregiver payments, and long-term care insurance and Medicaid claims.Pricing: software is free. Client payment processing is 3% ACH, 5% credit card, 6% American Express. Caregiver payments are free.
OmassistBuilt for independent caregiver referral businesses.Pricing: Starter $0/month; Essentials $100/month (up to 10 active caregivers); Professional $200/month (11 to 30); Enterprise from $400/month. If it handles billing: 3% ACH and 4% credit card on client payments, plus 1% per caregiver payout.
Wizard MatchFrom Home Care Wizards. Caregiver matching, scheduling, and W-2 and 1099 payroll.Pricing: by quote. Not published.

General home care software

SwyftOpsHome care software with a registry model option. Unlimited clients, caregivers, and users.Pricing: flat monthly fee by scheduled hours, from $100/month (up to 250 hours) to $1,940/month (10,001 to 12,000 hours). May require a one-year initial term.
WellSky Personal CareWidely used private-duty agency software (formerly ClearCare), built around employed caregivers. If you use it as a registry, review caregiver-facing features against the independent contractor model.Pricing: by quote, based on active clients per month. Not published.
Pricing checked September 2026 from each company's website. Pricing and features change often. Confirm current terms with each company. Listings are for reference, not endorsements.

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Straight answers for Florida nurse registries

Articles

Helpful links

Industry & advocacy

Florida regulators & lookups

Laws & rules

Federal guidance on registries

Training & caregiver files

Nurse registry software

General home care software

Recommended reading

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