How to Register an LLC for Medical and Vet

Introduction

Becoming a business owner has never been easier than it is today, thanks to the many laws passed by Congress and state legislatures that allow entrepreneurs to incorporate as LLCs. By forming an LLC, you can enjoy all of the benefits of being self-employed while protecting your personal assets from any potential lawsuits brought against your company.

Step 1. Gather basic information about your business

This includes:

• The name of your LLC
• An address where you will be conducting operations
• How many employees work at this location (if any) and what are their job titles are
• An industry classification code that best describes your operations, such as “medical” or “veterinary,” along with any other descriptors that may be relevant, like “animal care,” “animal hospital,” etc.

Step 2. Consider a business name and choose a trading name (DBA)

One of the first things to decide is what you want your business to be called. This can be anything: a name by which you will commonly be known, or something more creative.

A trade name (or DBA) is another optional step that allows you to use an alternative name when doing business. For example, if you have a veterinary practice and also sell pet supplies online through Etsy or another online marketplace, then it might make sense for those products not to bear the same name as your physical office location. You may elect not to register both names and instead use one or the other depending on where customers are likely to encounter them.

Step 3. Know how to form an LLC in your state

This process can vary depending on where you live. You can check with your state’s secretary of state or equivalent office to find out how best to proceed, or speak with a local attorney who can help guide you through the steps.

It’s also important to note that some states require more paperwork than others do when forming an LLC for medical and vet professionals, so it’s best not to assume anything about this process until you’ve checked with your specific government agency.

In most cases, forming an LLC requires filling out some paperwork and paying a filing fee—and while this may seem like a lot of steps just so that you can start practicing medicine as yourself rather than under another name remember: this process will save money in the long run by giving doctors more control over their careers rather than relying on others’ schedules and expectations!

Step 4. Decide on the members of the LLC, including yourself, if you choose to be a member

As the owner of an LLC, you can be a member or a manager. If you choose to be a member, your personal assets will be shielded from claims against the LLC. This means that if someone sues your business for any reason, they cannot legally go after your personal assets (such as property or vehicles). If you decide not to be a member of your own LLC, then it’s called an “otherwise” entity because there is no ownership by any individual. Typically this type of structure is used when there are multiple owners with equal shares in the company and each one wants to retain their own legal identity.

Step 5. File Articles of Organization

Next, you’ll need to file your articles of organization with your state’s Secretary of State or equivalent office. This is a simple online process that varies by state and should take no more than 15 minutes. Make sure you have the correct form for your state and check to see if there is a fee for filing. You’ll also want to make sure that you include any other documents that are required when filing articles of organization. Finally, check whether or not you need to file a certificate of good standing in your state after filing your LLC’s Articles of Organization.

Step 6. Apply for EIN from IRS

The EIN identifies your business, and it’s required for most legal business transactions. Your EIN can be used in place of your Social Security number on tax forms and other official documents.

The benefits of having an EIN include:

• It allows you to open a bank account separate from your personal account(s). This way, if there are problems with taxes or debts owed, only the LLC will be affected — not you personally.
• It allows you to accept credit cards, pay bills online and apply for loans under the LLC name instead of using your own name when filing tax returns each year.

Step 7. Draft necessary operating documents for the LLC

This includes an operating agreement and related resolutions. Some states have special requirements for medical/vet professionals who wish to form an LLC. Check-in with your state’s office of the secretary or department of corporations as to what these requirements might be before moving forward with drafting your own documents.

Step 8. Obtain any licenses or permits required by your state

You’ll need to check with your state’s medical board/veterinary board to confirm that your business is eligible for this status and what forms you’ll need to file in order to practice as an LLC.

Conclusion

With the correct steps and documents, forming an LLC for medical or veterinary purposes can be a relatively simple process. However, it’s important to note that each state has its own laws and regulations regarding LLCs and how they operate in that jurisdiction; this article’s focus has been solely on California law as it relates to registered professional liability corporations. If you are considering forming an LLC elsewhere in the U.S., be sure to consult with local authorities so you know what steps need to be taken before beginning your business venture as an LLC.