Does New York allow professional LLCs for doctors and lawyers?

Yes. New York permits Professional Limited Liability Companies (PLLCs) for doctors, lawyers, and other licensed professionals under N.Y. Ltd. Liab. Co. Law §§ 1201-1213. All members must hold active professional licenses in the same profession. A PLLC provides liability protection while maintaining professional compliance and licensing requirements.

Eligible Professions

Attorneys and physicians explicitly qualify under the PLLC statute. Additional eligible professions include certified public accountants, architects, engineers, dentists, veterinarians, chiropractors, psychologists, social workers, and other professions authorized under Education Law Title Eight. Verify your profession's eligibility with your state licensing board.

Formation Requirements

File Articles of Organization with the New York Department of State. New York mandates publication of your articles in two newspapers designated by the county clerk once weekly for six consecutive weeks. File a Certificate of Publication within 120 days. Publication costs vary significantly by county and newspaper—often the largest formation expense in New York.

All members must be licensed professionals in the same profession or related professions. You cannot form a PLLC without active professional licenses.

Professional Liability & Insurance

A PLLC shields members from liability for other members' professional negligence. However, individual members remain personally liable for their own professional acts. Professional liability insurance is typically required by your licensing board and remains essential regardless of entity structure.

Next Steps

1. Confirm your professional license is current with the appropriate New York licensing board.
2. Verify all proposed members are licensed in the same profession.
3. Contact your county clerk to identify designated newspapers for publication.
4. Obtain publication cost quotes (varies widely by county).
5. File Articles of Organization with the Department of State.
6. Arrange newspaper publication for six consecutive weeks.
7. File the Certificate of Publication within 120 days.
8. Obtain required professional liability insurance and local permits.

Consult a New York business attorney to ensure compliance with profession-specific regulations before formation.

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This is general information, not legal advice.