3 Steps to Starting Your Podiatry Corporation (2023)

If you’re a podiatrist, you SHOULD form a Podiatry Corporation taxed as an S-Corporation.

If you’re a podiatrist, you’re prohibited from forming an LLC or a traditional corporation for your podiatry practice and instead must register as a Professional Corporation.

If done incorrectly, your Professional Corporation can be rejected by the Secretary of State, leaving you vulnerable to potential lawsuits and fines from various government agencies, and even the California State Board.

As a Business Lawyer for Professionals, I’ve assisted hundreds of professionals just like you start their Professional Corporation and I can definitely help you start yours.

If you’re a podiatrist looking to start your Professional Corporation, email me at sam@mollaeilaw.com or talk to me directly at 818-925-0002

 

Podiatry Corporation

A Professional Podiatry Corporation is a professional corporation which is registered with the California Secretary of State, the Medical Board of California, and The American Board of Pediatrics.

In California, all professional corporations must be registered with the corresponding governmental agency that is tasked to manage their profession. Professional Chiropractic Corporation must hold a certificate of registration from the California Board of Pediatric Medicine.

 

3 Steps to Starting a Podiatry  Corporation

The 3 steps to starting a Podiatry Corporation are:

1. File the Articles of Incorporation of a Professional Corporation with the Secretary of State to form the Professional Corporation
2. Notify your Profession’s state agency that manages your profession, hold a Board of Director’s Meeting and appoint directors, get your Professional Corporation Bylaws drafted, apply for your EIN, file your Statement of Information, file Form 2553 for S-Corporation tax election, pay California corporate taxes to the California Franchise Tax Board, register with the EDD if you will be hiring employees, and apply for local business registration and licenses.
3. Do all the steps above yourself or hire a Business Lawyer to do everything for you.

If you’re a lawyer looking to form your Professional Corporation, email me at sam@mollaeilaw.com or talk to me directly at 818-925-0002

 

Benefits of a Podiatry Professional Corporation

Incorporating a Professional Podiatry Corporation in California will limit your personal liability against creditors and lawsuits, minimize the self-employment taxes of the shareholders, allow you to build corporate business credit, and much more.

Learn more about professional corporations here.

 

Name Requirements of Podiatry Corporation

The Professional Podiatry Corporation’s name must contain the name or the last name of one or more of the present, prospective, or former shareholders. It must also include a corporate ending such as: “Podiatry Corporation”, “Podiatry Corp.”,”Podiatrist”, “Doctor of Podiatric Medicine”, “D.P.M”, “A Professional Corporation”, “Professional Corporation”, “APC”, “A.P.C.” “PC”,”P.C.”,”Prof. Corp.”,”Inc.”, “Incorporated”, “Corporation”, “A California Professional Corporation” or words or abbreviations which denote its corporate existence.

Also, “LLC” is not permitted as a corporate designation, and California does not certify an “LLC” for the purposes of practicing podiatry, based on underlying Corporate Code concerning Professional Corporations.

 

Who Can Be A Shareholder Of The Professional Podiatry Corporation?

At least 51 percent of the shares must be owned by the chiropractor. The remaining 49 percent may be owned by Licensed physicians and surgeons, Licensed psychologists, Registered nurses, Licensed optometrists, Licensed chiropractors, Licensed acupuncturists, Naturopathic doctors, Licensed physical therapists. The number of licensed persons cannot exceed the number of chiropractors, and cannot exceed a combined share total of 49 percent.

Any shares issued to others who do not are not the professionals listed above are void.

Also, shares in the Professional Podiatry Corporation may only be transferred to those who are licensed to practice podiatry, to a shareholder of the corporation or to the Professional Podiatry Corporation itself.

If a shareholder becomes ineligible to practice podiatry in California or is legally disqualified from rendering professional services to the Professional Podiatry Corporation, she must sell or transfer her shares to a qualified shareholder within 90 days of her ineligibility or disqualification.

 

Can a Podiatry Corporation Be Opened As An LLC In California?

A Podiatry Corporation can’t be opened as an LLC in California. The California Corporations Code does not certify LLCs to practice podiatry. For a podiatrist to provide professional services in California, they must open a Professional Corporation.

 

Can a Professional Podiatry Corporation Use a DBA Or Fictitious Name?

In California, a Professional Podiatry Corporation can use a fictitious name or DBA for the Corporation so long as it is not deceptive, misleading, or confusing. The fictitious name must include the designation “podiatric,” “podiatry,” “podiatrist,” “foot,” or “ankle”.

You can apply for the fictitious name permit here: http://www.mbc.ca.gov/Forms/Applicants/fnp-001.pdf

 

How To Start a Podiatry Professional Corporation

Here are the 9 steps you must take to form the Professional Podiatry Corporation:

1. File the Articles of Incorporation with Secretary of State and pay the filing fee. The filing fee is currently $100. You must also state within its Articles of Incorporation that its purpose is “Podiatry”.
2. Conduct a corporate meeting where you will issue shares and elect officials and directors for the Professional Podiatry Corporation
3. Create custom Professional Podiatry Corporation bylaws
4. Apply for an EIN
5. File the Statement of Information with the Secretary of State
6. File Form 2553 for S-Corporation Tax Election for the Professional Podiatry Corporation
7. Pay California Corporate Taxes and Fees to the California Franchise Tax
8. Register with the EDD if you will be hiring employees
9. Apply for local business registration and licenses

If you’re interested in forming your California Professional Corporation, email me at sam@mollaeilaw.com or talk to me directly at 818-925-0002

 

What To Do Next

While these following these steps above might seem straight forward, one mistake while creating your Professional Corporation can cause your corporation to be rejected by the Secretary of State, costing you money and time.

As a Business Lawyer for Professionals, I’ve assisted hundreds of professionals just like you start their Professional Podiatry Corporation and I can definitely help you with yours.

Looking to form your Professional Corporation? Email me at sam@mollaeilaw.com or talk to me directly at 818-925-0002