If you hold a professional license issued by the New York State Education Department, forming a Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC) offers a powerful way to structure your practice while enjoying liability protections similar to those afforded to traditional corporations. Unlike standard LLCs, PLLCs are specifically designed for licensed professionals such as nurses, nurse practitioners, physical therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, architects, engineers, and many others who fall under the regulatory oversight of the Board of Regents.
This guide walks you through the critical requirements imposed by the Rules of the Board of Regents and Section 1212 of the New York Limited Liability Company Law—so you can establish your PLLC correctly the first time and avoid costly delays or rejections.
Before You File: Submitting Your License
Every professional seeking to form a PLLC under the jurisdiction of the New York Department of Education must provide a copy of their current, valid professional license. This documentation serves as proof that you are authorized to render the professional services your company will offer.
Along with your license, you will need to propose a company name that complies with specific naming conventions established by the Board of Regents. Understanding these rules before you file will save you from potential rejection and the need to refile with corrected paperwork.
Naming Your PLLC: What the Rules Require
Selecting the right name for your PLLC is about more than branding—it is a regulatory matter. The Board of Regents imposes strict requirements to ensure that company names accurately reflect the nature of the professional services being offered and do not mislead the public.
Accurately Describing Your Profession and Services
Your company name must appropriately describe the profession or professions practiced and the services to be rendered. Vague abbreviations or generic terminology that fails to convey the specific nature of your practice will not be accepted. The overarching principle is that your name should be truthful and not false, fraudulent, deceptive, or misleading in any way.
For example: If you are a nurse practitioner specializing in adult health, your company name must reflect this. Using simply “NP” is insufficient because it does not adequately inform the public of your specialty. An acceptable alternative would be “NP in Adult Health” or, even more clearly, “Nurse Practitioner in Adult Health.” The Department expects clarity and precision, not shorthand that could leave consumers uncertain about what services you provide.
Using Specialty Designations
If your proposed company name includes a reference to a specialized area of professional practice, you must submit satisfactory evidence to substantiate your authority to use that specialty designation. This means providing certification documents, board credentials, or other official proof that you are qualified to hold yourself out as a specialist in the referenced field. Merely claiming a specialty without evidence will result in a name rejection.
Incorporating a Deceased Person’s Name
In most circumstances, you cannot include the name of a deceased person in your PLLC’s title. However, the regulations recognize two narrow exceptions to this rule.
First, if the deceased individual’s name was already part of the company name at the time of their passing, continuity is permitted. Second, if the deceased person’s name was part of an existing partnership and at least two-thirds of that partnership’s partners become members of the newly formed PLLC, you may retain the name.
To invoke either of these exceptions, you must supply an affidavit signed by a manager of the professional limited liability company, along with any additional documentation the Department may require. Without this supporting paperwork, your request to use a deceased person’s name will be denied.
Required Entity Suffixes
Every professional service limited liability company name must conclude with one of the following designations: “Professional Limited Liability Company,” “Limited Liability Company,” “P.L.L.C.,” “PLLC,” “L.L.C.,” or “LLC.” The chosen suffix signals to the public that your business is a legally recognized limited liability entity operating under New York law.
Physicians and the “M.D.” Designation
Licensed physicians should be aware that the initials “M.D.” may only appear after a practitioner’s name if that individual has actually earned the Doctor of Medicine degree. Possessing a license to practice medicine alone is not sufficient—the specific academic credential is required. Misrepresenting one’s qualifications in this manner is prohibited and could result in regulatory consequences.
Restrictions on “And,” “+,” and “&”
The use of conjunctions and symbols such as “and,” “+,” or “&” is restricted in PLLC names. These connectors may only be used when they separate multiple owners of the company or when they link multiple licensed professions practiced under the same entity. Using these symbols for purely stylistic reasons, without a substantive reason tied to ownership or profession, is not permitted.
Multi-Discipline PLLCs: What Is Allowed and What Isn’t
New York law allows certain professionals to band together and form a single PLLC that offers services in multiple professional disciplines. However, this flexibility is not universal, and several professions are explicitly excluded from multi-discipline arrangements.
Professions That Must Stand Alone
The following professions cannot combine with other disciplines within a single PLLC: medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, licensed clinical social work, mental health counseling, psychoanalysis, creative arts therapy, marriage and family therapy, and applied behavior analysis. If you practice in one of these fields, your PLLC must be dedicated solely to that profession and cannot offer services in any other regulated discipline.
Special Rules for Design Professionals
Professionals licensed under Articles 145, 147, and 148 of the Education Law—which encompass engineering, architecture, land surveying, geology, and landscape architecture—enjoy a unique privilege. These “combined design professions” may practice multiple disciplines within a single PLLC, provided that the company includes at least one member who is licensed in every professional service the company offers. This requirement ensures that clients always have access to a properly credentialed expert for each discipline practiced.
How Paralegal Toolbox Streamlines Your PLLC Formation
Navigating the regulatory landscape for a New York PLLC can feel overwhelming, especially when you are simultaneously managing the demands of your professional practice. At Paralegal Toolbox, we specialize in guiding licensed professionals through every step of the formation process—from confirming that your proposed name meets Board of Regents requirements to preparing and filing your Articles of Organization, handling your mandatory publication obligations, and ensuring ongoing compliance with state law.
Our team understands the unique challenges that Department of Education licensees face. We review your license documentation, help you craft a compliant company name, and coordinate directly with state agencies to minimize delays. With our comprehensive service packages, you can focus on what you do best—serving your clients—while we handle the paperwork.
Ready to Get Started?
Forming a PLLC is a significant step toward formalizing your professional practice and protecting your personal assets. If you are a nurse practitioner, architect, engineer, psychologist, or another professional licensed by the New York Department of Education, understanding the naming rules and regulatory requirements is essential.
Contact Paralegal Toolbox today to discuss your PLLC formation needs. Our experienced team is here to ensure your company name passes muster, your filings are complete, and your business launches on a solid legal foundation.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Paralegal Toolbox is a document preparation service and is not a law firm. For legal advice regarding your specific situation, please consult a licensed attorney.
