Personal Care Agencies

New online licensure and certification system for health and residential care providers

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) is launching the DHS DQA Provider Portal, a new system for licensure, background checks, plan reviews, and other provider applications for assisted living facilities, adult day care centers, personal care agencies, and substance use and mental health treatment programs. Licensure/certification applications and plan review materials will not be accepted electronically or postmarked as of November 22, 2025, as we transition to the new system. We will accept applications and plan review materials starting December 15, 2025. Applications must be submitted using the DHS DQA Provider Portal. To prepare for this transition and for more information, visit our webpage.

Background check applications for all users

To prepare for the transition to the new DHS DQA Provider Portal, the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) will not accept any new background check applications for entity operators, non-client residents, or other required individuals for new or renewing entity license/certification applications, or for rehabilitation review applicants as of November 22, 2025.

DQA will resume accepting background check applications on December 15, 2025, through the DHS DQA Provider Portal. To prepare for this transition and for more information, visit our webpage. Caregiver background checks completed by entities for employees and contractors are not affected by this transition.

Personal care agencies (PCAs) provide medical support to help individuals with daily activities to keep them in their homes. These agencies can be:

Home health agencies.
County departments.
Independent living centers.
American Indian tribes or bands.
Freestanding personal care agencies.

Certified personal care providers conduct these services on written physician orders. Personal care workers can be employed or under contract with providers. These workers provide care with supervision from a registered nurse. They follow a written care plan.

Finding and choosing a personal care agency

Contact us

For questions about PCAs, contact the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Division of Quality Assurance (DQA):

Email dhsdqalccs@dhs.wisconsin.gov
Call 608-266-2702
Mailing address
DHS Division of Quality Assurance
Attn: PCA Certification
201 E. Washington Ave., Room E300
Madison, WI 53703

Additional contacts

Application process

Lisa Imhof, lisa.imhof@dhs.wisconsin.gov, 608-266-2702

Compliance history

Lisa Imhof, lisa.imhof@dhs.wisconsin.gov, 608-266-2702

Also use the provider search tool to learn about compliance history for providers.

Medication and drug administration

Douglas Englebert, douglas.englebert@dhs.wisconsin.gov, 608-266-5388 or 262-538-0271

Medicaid certification process

Questions related to reimbursement/provider services, call 800-947-9627

Visit the ForwardHealth website.

Nurse consultant (rule compliance and interpretation)

Kelly Nelson, kelly.nelson@dhs.wisconsin.gov, 920-428-0096

Supportive homecare

Bureau of Programs and Policy, dhsdmsltc@dhs.wisconsin.gov, 608-267-7286

Survey inspection process

Denise Balboa, denise.balboa@dhs.wisconsin.gov, 920-979-6437

Sara Schmidt, sarajane.schmidt@dhs.wisconsin.gov, 608-261-6752