This is general information, not legal advice. The rules vary by profession.
Which one do you need?
A regular LLC works for a business that does not provide licensed professional services. Examples include a retail shop, software company, or real estate business.
A PLLC is for a licensed practice. This includes many medical, dental, mental health, design, and accounting practices. New York checks the owners' licenses and approves the company before it can be registered with the state.
LLC and PLLC compared
| Regular LLC | PLLC | |
|---|---|---|
| Who can own it | Anyone | Generally, people licensed in the company's profession |
| Best suited for | A business that does not provide licensed services | A licensed professional practice |
| Professional approval | Not required | Required for most licensed professions |
| Formation time | Usually faster | Longer because professional approval comes first |
| Newspaper publication | Yes | Yes |
| Name | Standard business naming rules | Must follow the profession's naming rules |
Why a PLLC takes longer
New York must approve the professional side of the business before the company can be formed. The state checks the owners' licenses, the proposed name, and the profession the company will provide.
The wait varies by profession and by the time of year. Filing a regular LLC does not bypass this step. It only creates a different company that may not be allowed to provide your professional services.
See current NYSED approval times or read our guide to how long it takes to form a New York PLLC.
Both entities must publish
New York requires both an LLC and a PLLC to run notices in two newspapers for six weeks. The publication requirement is not a reason to choose one over the other.
If you publish an LLC and later learn that you need a PLLC, the PLLC must publish again under its own name. Publication is included in our $885 PLLC package. See the complete price breakdown.
If you already formed an LLC
Registering an LLC does not give it permission to provide services that require your license. If you needed a PLLC from the start, New York will generally require you to form a new one.
The new PLLC will have its own state filing, tax ID, bank account, and publication. Ask an attorney or accountant whether to close the LLC or keep it for a separate purpose.
When a regular LLC may make sense
You may still use an LLC for a separate business that does not provide licensed services. A therapist might use a PLLC for the practice and a separate LLC for unrelated software or real estate. The LLC cannot take the place of the practice itself.
A professional corporation is another possible structure for the practice. An attorney or accountant can help you compare that option with a PLLC.
A note for attorneys
Law firm PLLCs follow a different route. NYSED does not approve them. Each attorney owner generally needs a Certificate of Good Standing from the appropriate Appellate Division. Read more on our law firm PLLC page.
We form New York PLLCs for $885
The flat fee covers professional approval, formation with New York State, required newspaper publication, a tax ID, an operating agreement, and registered agent service for the first year. There are no extra charges if NYSED asks for a correction.
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