How to Start A PAS Agency in Texas 2025

How to Start A PAS Agency in Texas 2025

Thinking about launching your own PAS agency in Texas? You're in the right place. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to get licensed, build your foundation, and begin serving clients in one of the most in-demand industries in the U.S.

 

Why now?

Personal Attendant Services (PAS) is among the fastest-growing segments in the care industry, both in Texas and across the country. With over 73 million baby boomers currently receiving or preparing to receive in-home care, the need for reliable services is only increasing.

 

That means real opportunity for new agency owners who are ready to do things right from the start.

 

We’re Telescope HR, your partner in caregiver recruitment and retention. We help home care agencies build strong teams, reduce turnover, and grow with confidence. If you're looking to build a reliable agency that clients and caregivers can trust, you're in the right place.

What Is PAS?

Personal Attendant Services (PAS) is the non-medical side of home care. In Texas, PAS falls under the HCSSA (Home and Community Support Services Agency) license, regulated by Texas HHSC (Health and Human Services Commission).

 

Outside Texas, you might hear it called non-medical home care or personal care. Either way, it focuses on helping individuals remain safe and independent at home, without needing skilled nursing services.

Types of PAS Agencies in Texas

PAS agencies offer in-home support to individuals living in:

 

  • Private homes

  • Independent living communities

  • Assisted living facilities

The goal? To help clients stay in control of their daily routines while receiving dependable support.

 

Common types of PAS providers in Texas:

 

  1. Private Pay Agencies (clients pay out-of-pocket)

  2. Home Health Agencies (offer both skilled and non-skilled services)

  3. Medicaid Providers (serve clients referred by state caseworkers)

  4. MCO-Contracted Agencies (work with organizations like Molina, Superior, Amerigroup, UnitedHealthcare, and the VA)

Many new agency owners today choose to specialize in private-pay non-medical care—it’s flexible and increasingly in demand.

 

What Services Do PAS Agencies Offer?

Services typically fall into two categories:

1. ADLs (Activities of Daily Living)

  • Bathing

  • Dressing

  • Eating

  • Toileting

  • Walking

  • Transferring (e.g., bed to chair)

  • Medication reminders

2. IADLs (Instrumental Activities of Daily Living)

  • Meal prep

  • Light housekeeping

  • Shopping

  • Running errands

  • Transportation

  • Managing medications

How Do PAS Agencies Get Paid?

Let’s answer the big question: How do you make money?

 

Here’s a breakdown of common payer sources (from highest-paying to lowest):

 

  1. VA Clients – Rates can exceed $30/hour depending on your location.

  2. Private Pay Clients – Typically pay $25–$30/hour.

  3. Long-Term Care Insurance – Clients are reimbursed or agencies are paid directly.

  4. Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) – Lower rates, but reliable volume.

  5. Medicaid – Pays $12–$16/hour, often for care provided by family members or close friends through the CDS model.

Rates change frequently based on state policies and funding, so keep an eye on updates.

Where Do You Start?

Step 1: Choose Your Administrator & Alternate Administrator

Texas HHSC requires both an Administrator and Alternate Administrator.

 

Qualifications (one must be met):

 

  • Physician, RN, social worker, or licensed nursing facility administrator

                                                   OR

  • High school diploma/GED and one of the following:

    • Two years of supervisory experience

    • One year of caregiving experience

    • Two years of health-related college study

Step 2: Pick a Strategic Business Name

Don’t pick a name just because it’s sentimental. Your business name should work for your clients, not just your story.

 

Tips:

  • Keep it simple and easy to remember

  • Include words like “home care” or “personal care”

  • Start with an “A” or a number (like 123 Home Care) This will help you appear earlier in referral listings

  • Make sure it’s easy to spell and pronounce

Step 3: Register Your Business

Visit the Texas Secretary of State website:

 

  1. Create an account

  2. Search for name availability (also check Google)

  3. Register your entity type

 

Structure Options:

 

  • LLC (recommended for startups)

  • Sole Proprietorship

  • Corporation

Tip: Start as an LLC. Consider switching to S-Corp once profits grow above $40–80k/year.

Step 4: Apply for Your EIN

Get your Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS here. It’s free and essential for payroll, taxes, and banking.

Step 5: Set Up Contact Information & Work Space

You’ll need:

 

  • A dedicated business phone line (try RingCentral)

  • A domain and email (e.g., info@abchomecare.com)

  • A quiet and secure home office (survey-ready if you work from home)

Professional contact info creates trust and credibility. Don’t use Gmail or Yahoo.

Step 6: Complete Required Training

Your admin team must complete:

 

Print and save your certificates, they’ll be needed during the license application.

Step 7: Create a TULIP Account

Go to TULIP and create your online profile to begin the license process.

Step 8: Submit Your Application

Upload the following documents:

 

  • Organizational structure policy

  • Client transfer/closure policy

  • Administrator training and continuing education plan

You can find helpful templates at 123ConsultingSolutions.com.

 

Then pay the $2,625 fee for your 3-year license. Expect a 30–45 day review period, as long as everything is submitted correctly.

While You Wait: Set Yourself Up for Success

Step 9: Open Your Business Bank Account

Create a 4 in 1 account for:

 

  1. Payroll

  2. Taxes

  3. Owner pay

  4. Business reinvestment

This keeps your finances clean and your planning clear.

Step 10: Build Your Website and Logo

Use platforms like Canva (DIY) or Fiverr (affordable designers) if you would like to hire a professional.

 

Make sure your site clearly shows:

 

  • Who you are

  • What you do

  • Where you operate

  • How to get in touch

Step 11: Set Up Policies and Procedures

You’ll need:

 

  • PAS Policy Manual

  • QAPI binder

  • Emergency preparedness plan

  • Client admission packet

  • Caregiver handbook

  • Infection control and complaints binders

 

Customizable templates are available at 123ConsultingSolutions.com.

Step 12: Build a Recruitment & Retention Plan

This is where Telescope HR makes a difference.

 

We specialize in:

  • Caregiver recruitment

  • Onboarding systems

  • Retention strategies that work

Use TelescopeHR.com to:

 

  • Post jobs

  • Screen applicants

  • Train your staff

  • Keep your team engaged and reliable

Start strong with at least two solid caregivers so you're not scrambling when that first referral comes in.

Step 13: Set Up Your Operational Systems

You’ll need software to manage:

 

  • Payroll

  • Billing

  • Scheduling

  • Timekeeping

Strong back-office systems create a strong business.

You Don’t Have to Do It Alone

Launching a PAS agency takes vision, structure, and consistency, but you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. We at Telescope HR have taken it upon ourselves to make the process easier.

 

Telescope HR helps you:

 

  • Hire smarter

  • Onboard faster

  • Retain longer

  • Build a reliable care team from day one

Visit TelescopeHR.com or schedule a discovery call to learn how we can support your team-building efforts.

 

Build a care team that sticks, and watch your business grow.