Counselors: RCW 25.15.046 lets persons licensed to render the same professional services form a professional limited liability company (PLLC), which is subject to chapter 18.100 RCW and must carry at least $1,000,000 of professional liability coverage or its members are personally liable to the extent that coverage would have applied. RCW 18.100.050(5)(a) names chapter 18.225 RCW (mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists and independent clinical social workers) and chapter 18.83 RCW (psychologists), so these licensees may own a professional service corporation or PLLC together and are treated as rendering the same professional services. Whether an ordinary LLC may be used is not settled: RCW 25.15.031 lets an LLC have any lawful purpose and RCW 25.15.048(1) says no LLC may render professional services except through licensed persons, but RCW 18.100.030 defines a professional service as a licensed service that, before 1969 and by reason of law, could not be performed by a corporation, and the Secretary of State describes a PLLC as an LLC that provides professional services with the election to have chapter 18.100 RCW apply. Chapter 18.225 RCW and chapter 246-809 WAC do not address entity form. The Secretary of State Corporations and Charities Division or the Department of Health can answer this; until then the PLLC is the safe choice.
Marriage and family therapists: Licensed under chapter 18.225 RCW, which RCW 18.100.050(5)(a) names, so a PLLC (RCW 25.15.046) or a professional service corporation is available, with the same $1,000,000 professional liability coverage condition for a PLLC (RCW 25.15.046(3)). Whether an ordinary LLC may be used is not settled: RCW 25.15.031 lets an LLC have any lawful purpose and RCW 25.15.048(1) says no LLC may render professional services except through licensed persons, but RCW 18.100.030 defines a professional service as a licensed service that, before 1969 and by reason of law, could not be performed by a corporation, and the Secretary of State describes a PLLC as an LLC that provides professional services with the election to have chapter 18.100 RCW apply. The Secretary of State or the Department of Health can answer this; until then the PLLC is the safe choice.
Social workers: Independent clinical social workers are licensed under chapter 18.225 RCW, which RCW 18.100.050(5)(a) names, so a PLLC (RCW 25.15.046) or a professional service corporation is available, with the same $1,000,000 professional liability coverage condition for a PLLC. Whether an ordinary LLC may be used is not settled: RCW 25.15.031 lets an LLC have any lawful purpose and RCW 25.15.048(1) says no LLC may render professional services except through licensed persons, but RCW 18.100.030 defines a professional service as a licensed service that, before 1969 and by reason of law, could not be performed by a corporation, and the Secretary of State describes a PLLC as an LLC that provides professional services with the election to have chapter 18.100 RCW apply. The Secretary of State or the Department of Health can answer this; until then the PLLC is the safe choice.
Psychologists: Psychologists are licensed under chapter 18.83 RCW, which RCW 18.100.050(5)(a) names, so a PLLC (RCW 25.15.046) or a professional service corporation is available, with the same $1,000,000 professional liability coverage condition for a PLLC. Whether an ordinary LLC may be used is not settled: RCW 25.15.031 lets an LLC have any lawful purpose and RCW 25.15.048(1) says no LLC may render professional services except through licensed persons, but RCW 18.100.030 defines a professional service as a licensed service that, before 1969 and by reason of law, could not be performed by a corporation, and the Secretary of State describes a PLLC as an LLC that provides professional services with the election to have chapter 18.100 RCW apply. Chapter 18.83 RCW and chapter 246-924 WAC do not address entity form. The Secretary of State or the Department of Health can answer this; until then the PLLC is the safe choice.
