Administrator
The administrator designates
The administrator must "designate in writing an alternate to act in the administrator’s absence". The rule sets no qualifications for this alternate.
WAC 246-335-415(11)(c)Washington · Administrator and supervisor · WAC 246-335-415(11), -445
The Washington home care administrator and supervisor of direct care services
Every Washington home care agency names an administrator and employs a supervisor of direct care services. The rule leaves most qualifications to your own policies. Here is what it does say about each role, the written alternates, availability during care hours, the six-month client contact and training, and what DOH checks.
- Rule-verified October 2, 2026
- Quoted from chapter 246-335 WAC
- And DOH’s application and survey tools
Quick answer
Every Washington home care agency must identify an administrator and employ a supervisor of direct care services. The rule says "The administrator must be a home care employee and possess education and experience required by the agency’s policies." (WAC 246-335-415(11)), and "The licensee must employ a supervisor of direct care services" (WAC 246-335-445(1)). It sets no license, degree or set years of experience for either role, and the statute bars DOH from adding qualifications beyond state law (RCW 70.127.120(6)). The home care rules do not require either to be a nurse (WAC 246-335-420(14)(b)).
Each role names a written alternate. The supervisor or a designee must be available during all hours of client care; the supervisor contacts every client by phone or visit every six months; and the supervisor and the alternate each complete 10 hours of training a year (WAC 246-335-445(3)-(6)). DOH gets a Washington State Patrol check and a disclosure statement for both people with your application and every renewal, and written notice within 30 days when either changes.
Whether one person can be both the administrator and the supervisor is not addressed in the rules or in DOH’s application materials. Ask DOH before you plan on it.
The two roles side by side
The administrator runs the agency. The supervisor of direct care services is responsible for the care. The rule puts them in different sections, with different duties.
| Administrator | Supervisor of direct care services | |
|---|---|---|
| Where the rule is | WAC 246-335-415(11) (rule) | WAC 246-335-445 (rule) |
| Employment | Must be "a home care employee" | The licensee must employ one |
| Qualifications in the rule | The education and experience your own policies require | None stated; the alternate must be "similarly qualified" |
| Written alternate | The administrator designates one in writing | The supervisor designates one in writing |
| Yearly training | No set hours in chapter 246-335 WAC | At least 10 hours, for the supervisor and the alternate |
| Checks sent to DOH | State Patrol check and disclosure statement, with the application and each renewal | The same |
| If the person changes | Written notice to DOH within 30 days | The same |
Sources for the rows: WAC 246-335-415(11); -445(1)-(2); -445(3); -320(2)(d); -325(4); -335(5)(a).
The administrator
The rule defines the administrator as "an individual responsible for managing the operation of an agency" (WAC 246-335-310(2)), and the statute has every applicant document its organizational structure and the identity of its administrator (RCW 70.127.080(1)(e)).
Qualifications are yours to set. The administrator must "possess education and experience required by the agency’s policies" (WAC 246-335-415(11)). The rule names no minimum, and the statute says "The department may not establish experience or other qualifications for agency personnel or contractors beyond that required by state law" (RCW 70.127.120(6)). Because the rule ties the administrator to your policy, a surveyor can compare the person with what your policy says; DOH’s deficiency checklist repeats the rule’s wording at tag Z0395 (DOH 346-099). By our reading, the safe course is a standard your administrator meets on the day you apply, with the evidence in their personnel file.
"A home care employee." Chapter 246-335 WAC does not define that phrase. It defines personnel as "individuals employed and compensated by the licensee" (WAC 246-335-310(32)). By our reading the administrator is on the agency’s payroll rather than an outside contractor. How that applies to an owner who is not paid wages, such as a sole proprietor, is not addressed; ask DOH.
"On-site." DOH’s License Requirements page asks for "Disclosure statements for the on-site administrator and supervisor of direct care services" (DOH, License Requirements). The rule says "the administrator" and does not use the word on-site, and we found nothing from DOH that explains it. If your administrator will mostly work away from the office, ask DOH what it expects.
The administrator’s 14 duties
WAC 246-335-415(11)(a) to (n) makes the administrator responsible for each of these. The wording below is our summary; the citation opens the rule.
Day-to-day running (a)
Oversee the day-to-day operation and fiscal affairs of the agency.
The plan of operation (b)
Implement the plan of operation the same section sets out.
An alternate (c)
Designate in writing an alternate to act in the administrator’s absence.
Every approved county (d)
Provide management and supervision of services throughout all approved service areas.
Services (e)
Arrange for necessary services.
Contracts (f)
Keep contracts current and consistent with the contracting rule.
Liaison (g)
Serve as a liaison between the licensee, personnel, contractors and volunteers.
Credentials (h)
Make sure staff, contractors and volunteers hold current Washington credentials where their work needs one.
Following the policies (i)
Make sure staff, contractors and volunteers comply with the agency’s policies and procedures.
Quality improvement (j)
Implement a quality improvement process.
Records (k)
Manage recordkeeping under the client records rule.
Supplies and equipment (l)
Make sure supplies and equipment needed for client care are available, maintained and working.
Public information (m)
Make sure public information materials are accurate.
Access to policies (n)
Make sure current written policies are accessible to staff, contractors and volunteers during hours of operation.
The duty to "provide management and supervision of services throughout all approved service areas" links to the plan of operation, which must say how intake, plans of care, supervision, evaluations and quality improvement work in every county you are approved for (WAC 246-335-415(6)). Counties and service areas →
The supervisor of direct care services
"The licensee must employ a supervisor of direct care services." (WAC 246-335-445(1)). The rule does not define the role or set qualifications for it, beyond saying the alternate must be "similarly qualified" (WAC 246-335-445(2)). By our reading, "similarly qualified" is measured against the standard you set for the supervisor, since the rule sets none.
Clients learn who supervises their care: the bill of rights gives "The name of the individual within the home care agency responsible for supervising the client’s care and the manner in which that individual may be contacted" (WAC 246-335-435(7)). The rule does not say that person must be the supervisor of direct care services; CareRulebook’s manual names the supervisor there (Policy 3.3).
What the supervisor must ensure
All client care supervised (5)(a)
Supervision of all client care provided by personnel and volunteers.
Contractors evaluated (5)(b)
Evaluation of services provided by contractors.
Client care policies (5)(c)
Coordination, development and revision of written client care policies.
Other providers (5)(d)
Taking part in coordinating services when more than one licensee cares for the client.
The plan of care (5)(e)
Compliance with the plan of care.
Changes reported (5)(f)
Direct care workers notice changes in the client’s condition and needs and report them to the supervisor or designee.
Emergencies (5)(g)
Direct care workers start emergency procedures according to agency policy.
Plan read first (5)(h)
Each worker reviews the plan of care and any written instructions before providing care, and whenever the plan changes.
Medications (5)(i)
Each worker assists with medications according to agency policy and the chapter.
WAC 246-335-445(5)(a)-(i) (our summary of each item)
The plan of care rule adds a system for workers to tell the supervisor about changes in a client’s condition that show the plan needs updating (WAC 246-335-440(4)(b)). CareRulebook’s manual uses the supervisor’s job description to set the education and experience you choose, and its builder suggests a starting point (a Washington home care aide or nursing assistant certification or higher, and a year of experience giving or supervising personal care) that you can change. That suggestion is ours, not DOH’s.
Written alternates for both roles
Supervisor
The supervisor designates
"The supervisor of direct care services must designate in writing a similarly qualified alternate to act in the supervisor’s absence." The alternate also completes at least 10 hours of training a year.
WAC 246-335-445(2)-(3)In both cases the rule gives the designation to the person in the role, and it must be in writing. The rule does not say what the written designation must contain. CareRulebook’s manual uses a form signed and dated by the role holder and the alternate, replaced whenever either changes (Policies 1.2 and 3.3); those details are the manual’s choices.
Can one person be both administrator and supervisor?
The sources do not answer this. Here is what they do say:
- Two sections, two sets of duties. The administrator is in the plan of operation rule (WAC 246-335-415(11)); the supervisor has a rule of its own (WAC 246-335-445).
- Two entries on the application. DOH’s form has separate lines for each, and for the supervisor says "Enter the supervisor’s name, phone number, fax number, email address, and hire date. This must be the same person identified on the Disclosure Statement and Criminal History Background Check." (DOH 505-053, item 3A). The administrator line says the same.
- Checks for both. "For home care agencies, copies are required for the administrator and the supervisor of direct care services" (WAC 246-335-320(2)(d)(i)(A)).
None of chapter 70.127 RCW, chapter 246-335 WAC, DOH’s application packet or DOH’s home care pages says the two must be different people, and none says they may be the same. That leaves it open. Ask DOH’s home care program on 360-236-2957 before you build your plan around one person (DOH, Contact Information).
If DOH agrees to one person in both roles, our reading is that each role still needs its own written alternate, and one person then carries both sets of duties. CareRulebook’s manual tells the agency to ask DOH first and keeps a separate written alternate for each role (Policy 1.2, item 10).
Available during all hours of client care
"The supervisor or designee must be available during all hours of client care." (WAC 246-335-445(4)). The duty follows your care hours, not your office hours: the plan of operation states your days and hours of operation (WAC 246-335-415(5)), but if a worker is in a client’s home at 9 p.m., someone must be available then.
The rule does not define "available" or "designee". It does not say whether availability means on site or by phone, how quickly a call must be answered, or who may be a designee beyond the alternate. CareRulebook’s manual offers two set-ups: the supervisor, with the alternate covering when the supervisor is unavailable; or a written rota of the supervisor, the alternate and other designated staff, with the supervisor or alternate always reachable for decisions. Both log every out-of-hours call for the supervisor by the next business day. Those are the manual’s choices (Policy 3.3).
When a supervisor covers a visit. Back-up care with activities of daily living must be given by credentialed staff (home care aide or higher) or exempt workers (WAC 246-335-420(8)), and DOH’s 2018 summary of the rules says that means "minimum credentialing of any agency employee (including supervisors and those in administration) who intends to provide back-up care" (DOH 505-138, item 8). Our suggestion: if your supervisor or administrator may step in for a missed visit, check their credential first.
The six-month client contact
"The supervisor of direct care services must conduct and document client contact by phone or visit every six months to evaluate compliance with the plan of care and to assess client satisfaction with care." (WAC 246-335-445(6)). The record of it belongs in the client record, which must include "Supervision of home care services according to WAC 246-335-445" (WAC 246-335-450(3)(f)).
A phone call meets the rule. Three other rules are easy to mix up with it:
| What | How often | How | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervisor’s client contact | Every six months | Phone or visit, documented | WAC 246-335-445(6) |
| Plan of care review | Every 12 months, and when care needs change significantly | On-site, updated and signed | WAC 246-335-440(4)(a) |
| Worker’s annual evaluation | Every year | Includes on-site observation of care and skills | WAC 246-335-425(13) |
| Client satisfaction | Not set | A system to assess it, as part of quality improvement | WAC 246-335-455(3) |
The rule says "every six months" without saying when the first contact is due. CareRulebook’s manual reads it as no more than six months between contacts, the first within six months of the start of services, made by the alternate when the supervisor is absent, and lets you choose phone or visit, or visits only (Policy 3.3). That timing is our reading.
10 hours of training a year
"The licensee shall ensure the supervisor of direct care services and the designated alternate completes a minimum of ten hours of training annually." The training must be documented and kept in the personnel files, and may mix topics about supervising and about delivering home care (WAC 246-335-445(3)). The rule’s examples are agency in-services, community venues and classes, conferences, seminars, continuing education for the supervisor’s professional credential if they have one, and the supervisor’s duties in a natural disaster, man-made incident or public health emergency.
DOH’s 2018 summary of the rule changes says "The rule is written broadly to allow agencies to utilize a wide range of existing community events, activities, and educational opportunities their supervisors and directors already participate in and to count them towards the 10 hours of training." (DOH 505-138, item 17).
The rule does not say when the year starts. CareRulebook’s manual counts it from the date each person took up the role and keeps a training log for the supervisor and the alternate, checked by the administrator every three months (Policy 3.3); that is the manual’s choice. Chapter 246-335 WAC sets no yearly training hours for the administrator.
What DOH checks
With the application
Names, contact details and hire dates for both roles, a Washington State Patrol background check and a DOH-approved disclosure statement for each, obtained within three months of the application date, and a description of your organizational structure (DOH 505-053).
WAC 246-335-320(2)(d)-(e)At every renewal
Copies of the most current background checks and disclosure statements for both roles, renewed within two years of the previous check, and a current description of your organizational structure.
WAC 246-335-325(4)-(5)Your policies
DOH’s home care policy checklist gives the administrator’s qualifications and duties 14 tags, Z0395 to Z0460, with a column for the agency administrator to verify each and a signature line (DOH 505-141).
DOH 505-141 (May 2018)At surveys
The deficiency checklist lists the supervision rule as tags Z0845 to Z0870. DOH says initial surveys focus on your policies, sample employee and client files, and demonstrated knowledge of the in-home services rules and of client care delivery.
DOH 346-099; Survey Program pageDOH’s policy checklist dates from May 2018 and its administrator tags Z0395 to Z0440 say "home health employee" where the rule says "home care employee" (DOH 505-141). Our reading: write your policy to the rule text. The initial survey focus is DOH’s wording (DOH, Survey Program); by our reading the administrator and supervisor are the people best placed to show that knowledge, so both should know your manual well.
When the administrator or supervisor changes
The licensee must notify DOH in writing within 30 days of "Changes of administrator, director of clinical services, or supervisor of direct care services" (WAC 246-335-335(5)(a)). DOH’s application instructions list an "Amended" application for changes including "change Administrator, Clinical Director or Direct Supervisor information" (DOH 505-053).
The rule does not say whether a new background check and disclosure statement must go with the notice. DOH’s form says the person named must be the same person identified on the disclosure statement and background check, so by our reading DOH will want them for the new person; ask DOH when you send the notice. If your bill of rights names the supervisor as the person responsible for supervising clients’ care, note that the rule requires the client rights to be "implemented and updated as appropriate" (WAC 246-335-435(20)); by our reading that means telling clients the new supervisor’s name.
CareRulebook’s manual covers the notice and the DOH notice log in Policy 1.7, and a new alternate designation in Policies 1.2 and 3.3.
CareRulebook
The administrator and supervisor, written for your agency
CareRulebook’s Washington manual includes Policy 1.2, administrator and alternate administrator; Policy 3.3, supervisor of direct care services and supervision of care, with the six-month contact record and training log; and Policy 4.2, job descriptions with the qualifications you choose.
- 42 policies, 154 requirements mapped
- Each policy tagged to DOH’s home care policy checklist
- A DOH review copy without the quoted rule text
- Editable Word and PDF
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Myths about these two roles
Does Washington set the qualifications for a home care administrator?
No. DOH’s rule says the administrator must be a home care employee with the education and experience the agency’s own policies require, and the statute bars DOH from setting experience or other qualifications for agency staff beyond what state law requires. You write the standard into your policies, and the person you name must meet it.
"The administrator must be a home care employee and possess education and experience required by the agency’s policies."
Must the supervisor visit every client at home every six months?
No. The rule asks for documented client contact by phone or visit every six months (WAC 246-335-445(6)), to check the plan of care is followed and the client is satisfied. Home visits come in elsewhere: the plan of care is reviewed on-site every 12 months and when care needs change significantly, and each worker’s annual evaluation includes on-site observation of their care.
"The supervisor of direct care services must conduct and document client contact by phone or visit every six months"
Do I need a nurse on staff to open a home care agency in Washington?
No. The home care rules need an administrator and a supervisor of direct care services, neither of whom must be a nurse. You need an RN only by contract if you choose to offer nurse delegation or help with vital signs that decide medication.
"Home care agencies are not required to provide nurse delegation services and do not need a policy if they do not provide these services"
Frequently asked questions
What qualifications does a Washington home care administrator need?
The rule sets none of its own. WAC 246-335-415(11) says the administrator must be a home care employee and possess the education and experience your agency’s policies require, and the statute bars DOH from setting experience or other qualifications for agency staff beyond what state law requires (RCW 70.127.120(6)). So you write the standard into your policies and choose someone who meets it; our suggestion is to keep the evidence in their personnel file. DOH also needs a Washington State Patrol background check and a DOH disclosure statement for the administrator, dated within three months of the application.
Does the supervisor of direct care services have to be a nurse?
No. WAC 246-335-445 requires the agency to employ a supervisor of direct care services but sets no license, degree or credential for the role, and the home care rules do not require a nurse at all. You need a registered nurse by contract only if you choose to offer nurse delegation or help with vital signs that decide medication. The supervisor’s written alternate must be similarly qualified to the supervisor.
Can the administrator also be the supervisor of direct care services?
The sources do not say. The rule describes the two roles in different sections with different duties, and DOH’s application has a separate entry for each, with a hire date and a matching background check and disclosure statement. Nothing in chapter 70.127 RCW, chapter 246-335 WAC or DOH’s application packet says the two must be different people, and nothing says they may be the same. Ask DOH’s home care program (360-236-2957) before you plan on one person holding both.
Can the owner be the administrator?
The rule does not address owners directly. It says the administrator must be "a home care employee", a phrase chapter 246-335 WAC does not define; the chapter defines personnel as individuals employed and compensated by the licensee. By our reading an owner who is employed and paid by the agency as its administrator fits, but how that works for a sole proprietor or an LLC member who takes draws rather than wages is not addressed. Ask DOH before you apply.
Does the supervisor have to be on call 24 hours a day?
The rule says the supervisor or a designee must be available during all hours of client care (WAC 246-335-445(4)). If you give care only in the daytime, that is the daytime; if care runs overnight, someone must be available overnight. The rule does not say whether "available" means on site or by phone, or how fast a call must be answered.
How often must the supervisor contact each client?
Every six months, by phone or visit, documented, to evaluate whether the plan of care is followed and to assess the client’s satisfaction (WAC 246-335-445(6)). Separately, the plan of care is reviewed on-site every 12 months and when care needs change significantly (WAC 246-335-440(4)(a)), and each direct care worker’s annual evaluation includes on-site observation (WAC 246-335-425(13)).
What do I tell DOH when the administrator or supervisor changes?
Tell DOH in writing within 30 days (WAC 246-335-335(5)(a)). DOH’s application instructions list an "Amended" application for changing administrator or supervisor information. The rule does not say whether a new background check and disclosure statement go with the notice; DOH’s application says the person named must match the check and disclosure statement, so ask DOH what it wants for the new person.
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Keep reading
Washington
How to start a home care agency in Washington
The DOH license, the orientation class, the policy manual DOH approves and the initial survey.
Washington
Washington office, records and counties
The in-state office, records retention, counties served and the county surcharge.
Manual
Build your Washington policy manual
Including Policy 1.2 on the administrator and Policy 3.3 on supervision.
Washington
Washington home care policies and procedures
All 60 tags on DOH’s policy checklist mapped to a policy, and what the initial survey looks at.
Washington
The Washington license application
DOH’s paper packet form by form, the manual DOH reviews, the initial survey, renewal, changes and selling.
Texas
Texas home care administrator requirements
An administrator, an alternate and 24 hours of training.
Virginia
Virginia administrator and RN
Administrator qualifications and RN supervision at least every 90 days.
Georgia
Georgia administrator and RN
The administrator, the RN on every application and supervisors.
North Carolina
North Carolina agency director and RN
Director qualifications, the RN for aides and 90-day visits.
Illinois
The Illinois agency manager
Attachment E, the manager’s duties, the written alternate and supervisors.
Indiana
The Indiana PSA manager
No qualifications in the statute, written designees and the 24-hour phone.
Sources
- Chapter 70.127 RCW, In-home services agencies · Washington State Legislature (app.leg.wa.gov) · retrieved October 1, 2026
- Chapter 246-335 WAC, In-home services agencies (Parts 1, 2 and 13; home health and hospice parts for comparison) · Washington State Legislature (app.leg.wa.gov) · retrieved October 1, 2026
- In-Home Services License Application Packet, DOH 505-052 (April 2026), with 505-053 instructions (February 2026), 505-109 license requirements (April 2026), 505-051 application, 505-055 disclosure statement and 505-137 FTE worksheet · Washington State Department of Health · retrieved October 1, 2026
- Home Care Agencies: License Requirements · Washington State Department of Health · retrieved October 1, 2026
- In-Home Services Survey Program (home care agencies) · Washington State Department of Health, Office of Investigation and Inspection · retrieved October 2, 2026
- Home Care Policy and Procedure Checklist, DOH 505-141 (May 2018) · Washington State Department of Health · retrieved October 2, 2026
- Deficiency Checklist, Home Care Category, DOH 346-099 (May 2018) · Washington State Department of Health · retrieved October 2, 2026
- Home Care Agencies: Contact Information · Washington State Department of Health · retrieved October 2, 2026
- In-Home Services Agencies, Chapter 246-335 WAC: Significant Rule Changes, DOH 505-138 (October 2018) · Washington State Department of Health · retrieved October 2, 2026