Frequently Asked Questions

A Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC) is a New York LLC formed to provide services that can only be performed by licensed professionals (for example, doctors, lawyers, CPAs, architects, and other Title VIII professions). It offers limited liability protection and is subject to professional licensing oversight in addition to LLC rules.

Only licensed professionals may be members/managers of a New York PLLC, and the scope of practice must match the licenses. New York’s Office of the Professions (OP) reviews and issues a Certificate of Authority before you file with the Department of State.

A regular LLC can be formed for almost any lawful business by any person. A PLLC is limited to licensed professional services, requires OP pre-clearance, has naming/purpose restrictions, and ownership is generally limited to licensees (with specific rules for certain design professions). Learn more about our professional focus.

PLLC formation requires preapproval from the New York State Education Department (NYSED), adding 2-3 months to the process compared to regular entities. This mandatory step applies to most professional practices and cannot be expedited, regardless of which service you use.

The additional NYSED preapproval process requires extra paperwork and documentation, increasing both the time and cost compared to forming a regular LLC. This is a state requirement that applies to all professional entities, not specific to any particular service provider.

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) must review and approve professional entities before they can be formed. This mandatory preapproval process adds 2-3 months to the formation timeline and is required for most licensed professional practices.

Small errors, naming mistakes, or other missteps in the preapproval request can add several months to the approval timeline. Experienced professionals understand the requirements and can help ensure your application is approved as quickly as possible.

Yes, your chosen name can impact approval timing. After helping form hundreds of professional entities, we've learned the specific naming conventions that help avoid delays in the approval process.

The most common professions requiring NYSED preapproval include:

All professions requiring NYSED preapproval for PLLC formation:

National services outside of New York typically don't handle professional entities in New York due to the complexity of the NYSED preapproval process and state-specific requirements. Working with experienced New York professionals ensures compliance with all local regulations.

Yes. New York’s LLC Law §206 requires newly formed LLCs and PLLCs to publish a notice in two newspapers (one daily, one weekly) designated by the county clerk for six consecutive weeks, then file a Certificate of Publication with the Department of State. A bill has been introduced to eliminate the requirement, but as of now it remains in effect.

The notices must run for six straight weeks. By law, you must complete publication and file the Certificate of Publication within 120 days after your Articles of Organization become effective. Processing of the certificate by the state can add additional time after filing.

If you miss the 120-day deadline, the PLLC's authority to carry on business in New York is suspended until you cure by publishing and filing the certificate. You can usually fix it later, but it can create issues (e.g., with banking or litigation) until corrected.

Yes. All members/managers must be appropriately licensed for the professional services the PLLC will offer, and OP must issue a Certificate of Authority before filing with the state. If you’re licensed only in another state, you generally must obtain New York licensure first.

In limited cases. Certain design professions (architecture, engineering, land surveying, geology, landscape architecture) may be combined if you have a licensee for each discipline. Many other professions (e.g., medicine, dentistry, certain mental health professions) may not be combined within a single PLLC.

Our all-inclusive $885 price covers everything needed to form and operate your PLLC:

• NYSED preapproval process
• PLLC formation and filing
• Federal tax ID (EIN)
• Free first year registered agent service
• Operating agreement (required in NY)
• Complete legal publishing process (six weeks in two newspapers)
• Certificate of Publication filing
• Status updates throughout the process

Ready to get started? Order now for $885

No. If you ask for optional extras (for example, special expedited state services), we'll spell out the cost before you decide. Otherwise, the price you see is the price you pay.

We currently collect the full amount up front so we can file immediately and keep timelines tight. If you have questions about budgeting, reach out and we'll talk it through.

Given that the NYSED preapproval process adds 2-3 months to the timeline, it's best to start as soon as possible. Don't wait until you need to begin practicing — start the formation process early to avoid delays in your practice launch.

The publication itself is six consecutive weeks. Depending on scheduling, affidavits, and state processing for the Certificate of Publication, expect the overall process to span multiple weeks beyond filing. We’ll keep you updated at each milestone.

Once your Articles of Organization are filed and effective, your PLLC exists and you can generally begin operating—subject to professional licensure rules. You must still complete publication within 120 days to avoid a suspension of authority until cured.

We deliver digital copies of:

• Filed Articles of Organization
• Affidavits of Publication (two newspapers)
• Filed Certificate of Publication
• Plain-English next steps

Yes. Beginning January 1, 2026, New York requires LLCs (including PLLCs) formed or authorized in NY to file beneficial ownership information (or an attestation of exemption) with the NY Department of State. New entities have 30 days after formation/authorization; existing entities have until January 1, 2027. This state requirement is separate from any federal CTA rules.

No. We’re a filing service. We’ll flag common issues and keep you compliant with process requirements, but we don’t provide legal or tax advice.

Email us anytime via our contact page. If you prefer to talk it through, we’re happy to schedule a quick call.

Yes—we provide free lifetime ongoing support. Throughout the formation process and beyond, we're here to help answer questions and guide you. Whether you need assistance with compliance, filings, or general questions about your PLLC, reach out anytime.