Register a PLLC in Florida

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In Florida, certain licensed professionals may need to register a professional limited liability company (PLLC) rather than a traditional limited liability company (LLC). Similar to an LLC, PLLCs can provide business owners liability protection and tax flexibility.

However, there are some key differences between these two forms of LLCs that have far-reaching implications. Our guide below can help you determine which entity is right for you and your business.

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One of the requirements of a PLLC is designating a Florida registered agent. Hire Sunshine Corporate Filings® as your local registered agent service for just $35/year. Once you've signed up, you get instant access to your account where you can hire us to form your PLLC on the spot!

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What is a PLLC?

A PLLC is a type of LLC only available to those recognized by the state as “professional service providers.” As the name suggests, an LLC limits the liability of business owners by helping protect their personal assets from business debt collectors, personal injury claims, and other such cases. However, some jurisdictions do not allow licensed certain professionals to form an LLC. As a result, states have begun introducing PLLCs that offer similar liability protection to licensed professional service providers.

Which Professions Can Form a PLLC in Florida?

To determine which professions can form a PLLC in Florida, it’s important to clarify what Florida defines as “professional services.” According to the Professional Service Corporation and Limited Liability Company Act, “professional services are services performed for the general public that requires licensing or legal authorization” (Fla. Stat. § XXXVI.621.03). Typically, this includes professionals that provide medical care, legal advice, and other services that require licensing by state regulatory boards.

Here are some of the common professions that qualify according to state statutes:

  • Architects
  • Public accountants and CPAs (certified public accountants)
  • Attorneys and licensed legal professionals
  • Medical professionals (e.g., surgeons, osteopathic doctors, dentists, chiropractors, and podiatrists)
  • Some types of engineers and architects
  • Life insurance agents
  • Veterinarians

Keep in mind that the definition of professional services is pretty broad. As such, the above list isn’t comprehensive, and what counts as professional services is subject to change as state laws and regulations evolve. To find out if your specific field or industry benefits form forming a PLLC, it’s best to seek the counsel of a licensed professional.

For expert guidance in forming your PLLC, you can order our registered agent service and then hire us to form your PLLC from inside your online client account. From there, our local experts take care of everything to make sure your PLLC is set up the right way.

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What’s the difference between a Florida PLLC and a Florida LLC?

What primarily distinguishes a Florida PLLC from an LLC is the extent of liability protection offered and the amount of paperwork needed to form your company. For the most part, PLLCs  involve fields that affect people’s health, finances, and well-being. That’s why the state holds PLLCs to a higher standard in at least two key ways:

  • Additional paperwork. In addition to the standard LLC formation documents, you’ll need to provide licensing credentials to the Secretary of State in order to officially register your PLLC.
  • Liability protection. PLLCs receive liability protections similar to LLCs. However, in cases such as malpractice claims, a PLLC member may be held personally liable.

One noteworthy advantage to a PLLC for licensed professionals is that PLLC members can’t be held liable for malpractice claims against other members. The company’s finances remain at risk, and the member charged with malpractice can be held personally liable. But the PLLC does offer that personal asset protection for the other PLLC members not subject to such charges.

Aside from that, Florida PLLCs and LLCs have a lot in common. They share the same type of structure, requirements, and benefits. You just have to submit your licensing credentials and be mindful of the fact that liability protection works a bit differently for PLLCs

How Do I Start a Florida PLLC with Sunshine Corporate Filings®?

There are a couple of ways to hire us to help you start your Florida PLLC:

Order our Company Formation Service and let us know that you need a Professional Limited Liability Company.

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Hire us as your Florida Registered Agent and then add “PLLC Formation” through your online client portal.

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How to Register a PLLC in Florida

To register a PLLC in Florida, you’ll need to follow the same steps you would for registering a PLLC in addition to submitting licensing credentials and meeting any additional requirements depending on your profession. For PLLCs and LLCs, the steps are simple:

  1. Name Your PLLC
  2. Appoint a Registered Agent
  3. Complete and File Articles of Organization
  4. File Your BOI Report
  5. Draft an Operating Agreement
  6. Get an EIN
  7. Obtain Additional Florida Licenses and Permits
  8. Acquire Appropriate Insurance for your PLLC
  9. Open a Business Bank Account

Name Your PLLC

Before you set up your Florida PLLC, you’ll need to pick a unique and memorable name for your company. You can do a business name search with the Florida Division of Corporations (at sunbiz.org) to make sure your company’s name is available.

Your Florida PLLC name must also adhere to Florida naming rules for LLCs:

  • Your LLC name must include a business entity identifier in its name such as “Limited Liability Company,” “LLC,” or another acceptable variation.
  • Your LLC name must not use certain restricted words such as the names of government agencies (like the FBI or DEA)

You can review Fla. Stat. § XXXVI.605.0112 for all the naming requirements.

Appoint a Florida Registered Agent

Every registered Florida business must appoint a registered agent who will be listed on their Articles of Organization. According to Fla. Stat. § XXXVI.608.415, a Florida registered agent must:

  • Maintain a physical street address within the state
  • Be available during normal business hours to acept certified business mail and service of process

If you retain us as your registered agent, you can simply hire us to register your PLLC from inside your client account. You’ll have instant access to pre-signed Articles through your secure online account, including our business address listed for your principal and mailing address.

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Learn more about what you get when you when you hire Sunshine as your registered agent service.

Complete and File Articles of Organization

File your Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State and pay the $125 state filing fee. Your Florida LLC’s articles can be filed online at sunbiz.org, or you can print the state form from the Florida Division of Corporation’s website and mail it in. For PLLCs, you’ll likely need to submit your Articles to your licensing agency as well.

Your Florida LLC Articles of Organization will include the following information:

  • The name of your Florida LLC, which must contain either “Limited Liability Company,” “L.L.C.,” or “LLC.”
  • The mailing and street address of your Florida LLC’s principal office.
  • The name and Florida street address of your LLC’s Florida registered agent (your Florida registered agent will also need to sign your Florida Articles of Organization).
  • The names and addresses of each person authorized to manage or control your Florida LLC (including member-managers and non-member managers).
  • Your Florida LLC’s effective date (if different from the filing date). The effective date can be up to 5 business days prior to or 90 days after the filing date.
  • The $125 filing fee for the Articles of Organization and Designation of Registered Agent.

You will need to submit licensing credential for all of your LLC members as well. That is one of the few stipulations that makes the process for registering a Florida PLLC different from registering a traditional LLC.

File a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Report

Once you’ve finished with state filings, you’ll need to submit a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). This new federal reporting requirement beginning in 2024: the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report. The filing requires information about your LLC’s beneficial owners—those who have substantial control over the LLC or own at least 25% of the company.

Due dates:

  • LLC formed in 2024 or after: Due within 30 days of formation

  • LLC formed before 2024: Due by the end of 2024 (and company applicant is not required)

Filing requirements:

Company Information

Beneficial Owner and Company Applicant Information

  • Legal company name

  • Any DBAs or trade names

  • Jurisdiction of formation

  • Tax ID (EIN, SSN or TIN)

  • Full name

  • Residential address

  • Date of birth

  • Photo ID (such as a passport or driver’s license)

This filing is submitted to the Financial Crime Enforcement Network (FinCEN) online. Some highly-regulated companies are exempt from the BOI. There is no fee, and the reported information is not public.

Draft a Florida PLLC Operating Agreement

Florida does not require an operating agreement form LLCs or PLLCs, but it’s a good idea to have one. Your Florida PLLC operating agreement is the roadmap for how you’ll run your company, as it lays out important company details, such as the names and addresses of your initial members, their initial Florida LLC capital contributions, and the internal rules necessary to run your company as efficiently as possible.

Sunshine Corporate Filings LLC® includes a free customized Florida LLC operating agreement with all LLC orders.

Get an EIN

“EIN” means “employer identification number,” and your PLLC is going to need one if you intend to hire employees or take advantage of the tax elections, such as the S corporation, available to Florida professional limited liability companies.

You’ll also need an EIN to open a bank account for your Florida PLLC. You can easily get an EIN through the IRS website, or you can hire Sunshine Corporate Filings LLC® to get one for you.

Acquire Additional Permits, Licenses, and Liability Insurance for Your PLLC

Depending on the industry and Florida jurisdiction, your business may need a license, permit, or inspection to operate. Your best bet is to visit the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation website to determine the whether your professional LLC requires any additional credentials from the state. As for your local ordinances, you’ll need to check with your city or county government websites.

Most importantly, you should seek out general liability insurance for your PLLC. It’s legally required, but most professions providing professional services to the public are inherently at hire risk of liability. On that note, you should definitely consider getting malpractice insurance as well.

Finally, if your business has four or more employees, you’ll need to get workers’ compensation insurance in Florida.

Open a Business Bank Account

This last part might seem like a formality, but a business bank account is a crucial part of ensuring your limited liability status. A dedicated business bank account allows you to keep your business finances separate from your personal finances. That way, when it’s time to file taxes, you’ll have an easier time of things. And if you ever face a lawsuit, the last thing you want is to have your finances co-mingled in a way that jeopardizes your personal asset protection.

If you’ve followed the above steps, then you should have your EIN and Articles. You’ll need these when you visit the bank to open your account.

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