Licensed professionals in Massachusetts can practice through a professional corporation under chapter 156A or a professional LLC under chapter 156C. A professional corporation may issue shares only to licensed natural persons and certain partnerships, professional corporations, business corporations and LLCs authorized to render the same service (c. 156A, § 10). Regulating boards set required liability insurance for professional LLCs (c. 156C, § 65).
M.G.L. c. 156A, § 2M.G.L. c. 156A, § 3M.G.L. c. 156A, § 10M.G.L. c. 156C, § 65Massachusetts General Laws chapters 156C, 156D, 180 and 110 and the Corporations Division Filing Fees page reviewed November 11, 2026. Confirm current fees with the Secretary of the Commonwealth before filing.
Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits Massachusetts filings for owners. We are not the Secretary of the Commonwealth or its Corporations Division, and we do not give legal advice. Every state charge passes through at the exact amount billed, shown separately from our service fee.
- Filed with the Massachusetts Corporations Division
- We track your Massachusetts annual report
- Cited to M.G.L. chapters 156C and 156D
- Talk to a filer: (386) 465-3937
The forks in the road.
Which professions
Physicians, chiropractors, podiatrists, engineers, electrologists, physical therapists, psychologists, accountants, dentists, veterinarians, optometrists, acupuncturists, registered nurses and attorneys, plus other licensed services when the board permits (c. 156A, § 2).
M.G.L. c. 156A, § 2Single profession
Generally one profession and ancillary services; multiple professions only where licensing laws and boards do not prohibit it (c. 156A, § 3).
M.G.L. c. 156A, § 3Who may own shares
Licensed natural persons, partnerships of licensed persons, and professional corporations, business corporations and LLCs authorized to render the same service (c. 156A, § 10).
M.G.L. c. 156A, § 10PLLC insurance
Regulating boards adopt rules on the liability insurance a professional LLC and its members must carry (c. 156C, § 65).
M.G.L. c. 156C, § 65State fees
Same as a business corporation: $275 Articles of Organization up to 275,000 shares; or $500 for an LLC.
Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations DivisionWhat to have ready
- Confirm your board allows the entity type
- Confirm each owner's license
- Check insurance requirements
- Choose corporation or LLC
- Draft share transfer restrictions
- File and then notify your board
Massachusetts Professional Corporations and Professional LLCs: Who Can Own Shares
Massachusetts Professional Corporations and Professional LLCs: Who Can Own Shares
Professional corporation under chapter 156A or professional LLC under chapter 156C. Shares only to licensed natural persons, partnerships of licensed persons, and professional corporations, business corporations or LLCs authorized to render the same service (c. 156A, § 10)
M.G.L. c. 156A, § 2Corporation or LLC for a practice
Chapter 156A professional corporations have the longest history and are familiar to licensing boards and malpractice insurers. Professional LLCs under chapter 156C offer flexible management and pass-through tax by default, but the state LLC fees are higher: $500 to form and $500 a year, against $275 and $100 online for a corporation. Check your board's rules first; some professions have specific requirements.
Source: malegislature.gov
Share ownership limits
A professional corporation may issue shares only to qualified persons: licensed natural persons, partnerships made up of them, and entities authorized to render the same service (c. 156A, § 10). When a shareholder loses a license or dies, the shares must be dealt with under the statute and the bylaws, so include buy-sell terms from day one.
Source: malegislature.gov
Insurance and boards
For professional LLCs, regulating boards set the designated amount of liability insurance the company and its members must keep (c. 156C, § 65). Keep proof of coverage with the company records and update it when the practice grows.
Source: malegislature.gov
Naming the practice
Professional entities follow the same naming rules as other corporations and LLCs, and boards may add their own. Many practices use the owners' surnames, which chapter 156C, § 3 allows for LLCs.
Source: malegislature.gov
Massachusetts law and Corporations Division rules behind this.
| Topic | Massachusetts rule | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Which professions | Physicians, chiropractors, podiatrists, engineers, electrologists, physical therapists, psychologists, accountants, dentists, veterinarians, optometrists, acupuncturists, registered nurses and attorneys, plus other licensed services when the board permits (c. 156A, § 2). | M.G.L. c. 156A, § 2 |
| Single profession | Generally one profession and ancillary services; multiple professions only where licensing laws and boards do not prohibit it (c. 156A, § 3). | M.G.L. c. 156A, § 3 |
| Who may own shares | Licensed natural persons, partnerships of licensed persons, and professional corporations, business corporations and LLCs authorized to render the same service (c. 156A, § 10). | M.G.L. c. 156A, § 10 |
| PLLC insurance | Regulating boards adopt rules on the liability insurance a professional LLC and its members must carry (c. 156C, § 65). | M.G.L. c. 156C, § 65 |
| State fees | Same as a business corporation: $275 Articles of Organization up to 275,000 shares; or $500 for an LLC. | Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division |
Related Massachusetts reading.
Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits Massachusetts filings for owners. We are not the Secretary of the Commonwealth or its Corporations Division, and we do not give legal advice. Every state charge passes through at the exact amount billed, shown separately from our service fee.
What Massachusetts owners ask us
Not in a professional corporation. Shares may be issued only to the qualified persons listed in chapter 156A, § 10.
M.G.L. c. 156A, § 10No entity shields a professional from liability for their own professional acts; the insurance rules exist for that reason.
M.G.L. c. 156C, § 65They file the same corporation annual report: $100 online, $125 paper.
Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations DivisionYes. Corp USA prepares and submits your Massachusetts filing with the Corporations Division for you. The state fee is passed through at cost and our service fee is shown separately at checkout, so you never have to work through the state's filing system yourself.
Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division