Written by: Carolyn Young
Carolyn Young has over 25 years of experience in business in various roles, including bank management, marketing management, and business education.
Reviewed by: Sarah Ruddle
For over 15 years, Sarah Ruddle has been a noteworthy leader in the business and nonprofit world.
Updated on July 18, 2024
A professional limited liability company (PLLC) is a type of LLC meant for licensed professionals, such as lawyers, doctors, and architects. PLLCs, which are only available in some states, offer one key advantage for the licensed professional and their business.
This guide lays out the key differences and similarities between LLCs and PLLCs.
An LLC is a popular business structure for startup companies due to its many benefits. An LLC provides personal liability protection, for example, so that your assets are not at risk if your business is sued or cannot pay its debts.
Also, an LLC is a “pass-through entity” in taxes, meaning that the LLC itself is not taxed. Instead, income passes through the company to the LLC owners or members, who report it on their tax returns.
LLCs also offer flexibility in management, as there are few requirements regarding organizational structure.
A PLLC, as mentioned above, is a type of LLC meant for professionals such as physicians and attorneys and offers limited liability protection. One difference is that the state’s licensing board must verify the license of the professional seeking to form a PLLC and approve the articles of organization.
PLLC members must be in a profession requiring a license or certification from the state, but this needs to be clarified in all states. Some states list the specific professions that can have a PLLC, while for others, it’s more of a gray area.
Common professions that can form a PLLC include:
LLCs and PLLCs are considered “pass-through” entities, meaning income passes through the business to the members for tax purposes.
Accordingly, the LLC or PLLC is not taxed, so all income is reported on members’ tax returns at their income rate.
Both LLCs and PLLCs are legal entities that are separate from the members. You are not personally liable for the company’s debts or legal liabilities. If an LLC member guaranteed a business loan, they would be liable for the debt.
The main difference between an LLC and a PLLC is in malpractice claims. Each PLLC member is personally liable for any malpractice claim made against them but not for malpractice claims against other PLLC members.
For this reason, PLLC owners also need personal malpractice insurance to protect their assets.
As mentioned above, a PLLC is formed the same way an LLC is formed, except that the state’s licensing board must approve the PLLC’s articles of organization.
The steps to form a PLLC are as follows:
Naming your business can be challenging. You need a name that’s unique and easy to remember and conveys what your business does. You also need it to be SEO-friendly so that it can easily be found on Google.
Your business name is your business identity, and the first impression people will have of your company, so take care with this step of the PLLC formation process.
Once you have a few business name ideas, you’ll want to ensure they’re available. First, do a business name search on your state’s relevant website, usually the Secretary of State’s website. You’ll also need to check your state’s PLLC naming regulations to ensure you comply.
Next, you’ll need to make sure the name is not trademarked. Then, check with the US Patent and Trademark Office to ensure the name is available nationally.
You should also check to see if the domain name is available, which you can do on a site like GoDaddy. For example, you’ll want a .com domain name rather than .org or .co to give your business domain more credibility.
Once you know it’s available, you can reserve the name with your state using their name reservation form.
Most states require that you appoint a registered agent for your PLLC. A registered agent is a person or company authorized to accept official correspondence for your business, such as legal, tax, or financial documents.
A registered agent ensures your business stays in compliance with state laws. In addition, the registered agent’s job is to provide no important notices or documents that are missed.
In most states, a member of the PLLC can be the registered agent, or you can choose an individual that meets your state requirements. Generally, the conditions are that the registered agent:
Some states have more specific requirements, so check the rules in your state.
Many business owners hire a registered agent service to receive and address important documents promptly. A registered agent service also offers convenience.
If you choose to be your registered agent, you’ll have to be available at your registered agent’s address during regular business hours. However, a registered agent service will allow you the flexibility to run and grow your business wherever you need to be.
Members or managers can manage PLLCs. In a member-managed PLLC, members handle all management duties. In a manager-managed PLLC, non-member employees oversee operations and management duties.
Some states require that when you register your PLLC with the state, you declare whether your PLLC will be a member- or manager-managed, so be aware that you may need to make this decision before you file.
In most states, the document you need to file to make your PLLC official is the articles of organization. In some states, it’s called a certificate of organization or a certificate of formation.
Generally, you can file the document online, usually on the Secretary of State’s website. The document requires your business name, address, registered agent information, and sometimes member or manager information.
However, the state licensing board must approve your PLLC articles or organization before filing them. Filing fees vary by state and range from $40 to $500. Depending on the state, your PLLC should be approved within a few weeks of filing.
Some entrepreneurs use a business formation service like ZenBusiness to handle this step. It saves time and ensures the process is done correctly.
As mentioned above, PLLCs are pass-through entities, which means income passes through to the member or members. If the PLLC has only one member, it’s taxed as a sole proprietorship. If the PLLC has more than one member, it’s taxed as a partnership.
However, PLLCs can also elect to be taxed as a corporation if the members decide it makes financial sense. This is done by filing an election form with the IRS. In addition, you can choose to be taxed as a C-Corp or an S-Corp.
C-Corp status means income is taxed at the current rate for corporations (21% as of late 2022), which is lower than the usual individual taxpayer rate. But keep in mind that C-Corp shareholders – who, in the case of a PLLC, are members – must also pay taxes on their distributions. This is called double taxation.
However, in a PLLC taxed by default as a sole proprietorship or partnership, members are subject to self-employment tax. Once such a PLLC switches to being taxed as a corporation, self-employment taxes no longer apply.
Similarly, self-employment taxes do not apply to members with S-Corp status, which is the main advantage of electing S-Corp status.
With S-Corp status, members are generally paid as company employees, which means more accounting and payroll expenses. Therefore, S-Corp status is only beneficial when the self-employment tax savings exceed those additional expenses.
Most states do not require an operating agreement, but it’s vital. It defines the ownership percentages of members and how profits and losses are distributed. Those are the most essential elements of the operating agreement, but it should also include the following:
You can find operating agreement templates online, but it’s best to have them drawn up or reviewed by an attorney. The language of an operating agreement is crucial and can often help determine how member disputes will be resolved.
The IRS uses an EIN to identify your company. It’s used for tax filing purposes. An EIN is required if your PLLC has more than one member or hiring employees. Obtaining an EIN requires applying on the IRS website.
The IRS rules for obtaining an EIN are as follows:
“All EIN applications (mail, fax, electronic) must disclose the name and Taxpayer Identification Number (SSN, ITIN, or EIN) of the true principal officer, general partner, grantor, owner or trustor. This individual or entity, which the IRS will call the ‘responsible party,’ controls, manages, or directs the applicant entity and the disposition of its funds and assets. Unless the applicant is a government entity, the responsible party must be an individual (i.e., a natural person), not an entity.”
Depending on the nature of your business, you may need to apply for various licenses and permits at the federal, state, and local levels.
At the federal level, licenses and permits are generally industry-specific and may include health licenses and permits from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
You may need a general business license to operate at the state level. If you sell tangible goods or services subject to sales tax, you’ll need a sales tax license, also known as a seller’s permit.
Check the SBA guide for specific licenses required for your business.
Here are some common licenses and permits you may need:
This is a critical step in the PLLC formation process, so make sure that you check with your state and local government offices to find out all the licenses and permits you need. You could face steep fines and penalties if you operate without the proper licenses and permits.
If you need help, it’s a good idea to consult a business attorney to ensure you’re in full compliance. You can also use a service like MyCorporation to do the research and provide you with all the forms you need to license your business.
When you have a PLLC, keeping your business and personal finances separate for accounting and tax purposes is essential. However, co-mingling your business and personal funds can threaten your liability protection since the line between business and personal assets will need to be clarified.
Most banks offer business bank accounts, so check with your local bank. You’ll need your EIN and a copy of your articles of organization. Your bank may require other documents as well.
Insurance is the right choice to protect the investment you’ve made in your business. There are several different types of insurance you may need.
PLLC members should also have malpractice insurance.
Most states require that you file an annual or biennial report with the state to verify you’re still doing business. These can generally be filed online. A small fee usually applies and varies by state.
As you can see, there are a few differences between an LLC and a PLLC. If you’re a licensed professional, a PLLC is for you if your state allows you the option. LLCs and PLLCs offer many benefits, but if you’re unsure of the right business entity, consult with your tax advisor and attorney.
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