Start a private practice in North Carolina.

What each license may use in North Carolina

Filing in North Carolina

Filing office

North Carolina Secretary of State, Business Registration Division

Name search

Search business names

Registered agent

Required.

Newspaper notice

We found no publication rule for the structures above.

Annual report

Required every year. LLC/PLLC: April 15 each year after the year of formation. Corporation (PC): 15th day of the fourth month after fiscal year end. Fee: $200. Some fee details unconfirmed Official page

A year-one cost example for North Carolina

This is an estimate, added up from the fees on this page: the state filing fee, the first annual report or yearly state fee, and any flat minimum tax our data names. It leaves out board application fees, a registered agent company, expedited filing, newspaper notices, name reservations, local licenses and income tax. The state sets the real amounts.

State taxes and local licenses

The order of tasks in North Carolina

The order below follows the rules we found for North Carolina. A board approval or a newspaper notice changes where a task falls, so a different state may order these differently.

1. Read your board's rules on practicing through a company

   Your North Carolina licensing board can add its own rules to the state's business law. Read them for your license before you file anything.

   NC Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health CounselorsNC Marriage and Family Therapy Licensure BoardNC Social Work Certification and Licensure BoardNorth Carolina Psychology Board

2. Get the board approval the state asks for, then file

   Boards ask for different things, so follow the one for your license.

   • Counselors: BEFORE filing with the Secretary of State, apply to the NC Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors ($50, with a draft of the articles) for a Certification of Application; file articles with it; then send the filed articles to the Board to receive a Certificate of Registration. The Certificate of Application expires in six months. Annual renewal reported at $25. Statutory caps: registration fee up to $50 (G.S. 55B-10), renewal up to $25 (55B-11).
   • Marriage and family therapists: Submit two copies of the NC MFT Licensure Board application, a copy of the articles, and $50 to the Board; the Board returns a sealed Certificate; file articles with it at the Secretary of State; then send a filed copy to the Board for the Certificate of Registration. Allow up to 30 days for board processing.
   • Social workers: Apply to the NC Social Work Certification and Licensure Board (ncswboard.gov) with application, copy of the articles and $50. The Board issues a Certificate of Registration and Verification of Licensure that are filed with the Secretary of State along with the articles. Certificate of Registration renewed annually ($25).
   • Psychologists: Send the NC Psychology Board its application, a copy of the articles and $50; the Board issues a Certification of Application; file articles at the Secretary of State ($125); send the filed articles to the Board for the Certificate of Registration (required before operating, G.S. 55B-10).

3. Search for your business name

   Check that no one in the state already has the name, and follow the state's name rules for professional practices.

   State name search

4. Pick a registered agent

   The state requires a registered agent with a street address in the state. That can be you, if you have a street address in the state, or a registered agent company.

5. File with North Carolina Secretary of State, Business Registration Division

   Use the form and fee for the structure you chose, listed above.

   State filing office

6. Get your EIN from the IRS

   It is free. Apply only on irs.gov, after the state approves your filing.

   IRS: get an EIN

7. Check or get your NPI

   You may already have one. Get a second, organization number only if your practice is a company that bills under its own name.

   NPPES

8. Open a business bank account

   Bring your state filing, EIN letter and ID. Keeping practice money in its own account keeps your records clean.

9. Check your city and county

   Ask your city or county whether a local business license or home occupation permit applies to a practice like yours.

10. Calendar your reports and taxes

    Put your yearly report and any state taxes on your calendar so your company stays in good standing.

    State tax informationMore tax information

What we could not verify

Sources and last check

• https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/ByChapter/Chapter_55B.html
• https://www.ncblcmhc.org/Assets/LawsAndCodes/Professional_Limited_Liability_Companies(NCGSChapter57D-2-02).pdf
• https://www.ncblcmhc.org/Assets/Forms/Incorporation_Instructions.pdf
• https://www.sosnc.gov/divisions/licensing_boards
• https://www.sosnc.gov/divisions/licensing_boards/psychology
• https://www.sosnc.gov/divisions/licensing_boards/marriage_and_family_therapy
• https://www.sosnc.gov/divisions/licensing_boards/social_work
• https://www.sosnc.gov/manual/Launching_A_Business/Professional_Entities_Structure
• https://www.sosnc.gov/fees/by_title/_Business_Registration
• https://www.sosnc.gov/divisions/business_registration/annual_report_due_dates
• https://www.sosnc.gov/divisions/business_registration
• https://www.ncdor.gov/taxes-forms/franchise-tax
• https://www.ncdor.gov/taxes-forms/corporate-income-and-franchise-tax
• https://regulations.justia.com/states/north-carolina/title-21/chapter-54/section-2200/section-54-2202/
• https://www.sosnc.gov/online_services/search/by_title/search_Annual_Report