Registered Nurses (RN) exploring entrepreneurial opportunities are encouraged to seek legal advice in establishing a Professional Corporation (PC) or Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC) for the purpose of providing nursing and related services. Application is made through the North Carolina Board of Nursing (Board) as noted below and through the North Carolina Secretary of State. Nursing Professional Corporations or Professional Limited Liability Companies must meet all requirements set forth in all applicable North Carolina laws and rules including, but not limited to, the following:
- § 55B – Professional Corporation Act;
- § 57D – North Carolina Limited Liability Company Act;
- § 90 Article 9A – Nursing Practice Act;
- 21 NCAC 36 .0500 – Professional Corporations (Nursing); and,
- 21 NCAC 36 .0600 – Articles of Organization (Nursing Professional Limited Liability Company)
Professional Corporations Rules
- 21 NCAC 36 .0501 - Purpose and Definitions
- 21 NCAC 36 .0502 - Name of Professional Corporation
- 21 NCAC 36 .0503 - Prerequisites for Incorporation
- 21 NCAC 36 .0504 - Certificate of Registration
- 21 NCAC 36 .0505 - General and Administrative Provisions
- 21 NCAC 36 .0506 - Forms
- 21 NCAC 36 .0507 - Fees
Professional Limited Liability Company Rules
- 21 NCAC 36 .0601 - Name of Limited Liability Company
- 21 NCAC 36 .0602 - Prerequisites for Organization
- 21 NCAC 36 .0603 - Certificate of Registration
- 21 NCAC 36 .0604 - General and Administrative Provisions
- 21 NCAC 36 .0605 - Fees
Note: Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) are not authorized to establish Professional Corporations or Professional Limited Liability Companies by these regulations.
In accordance with § 55B and § 57D , Professional Corporations and Professional Limited Liability Companies formed for the purpose of providing medical services must be owned by a licensed Physician, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (Nurse Practitioner, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Certified Nurse Midwife, or Clinical Nurse Specialist as specified in § 55B and § 57D ), Physician Assistant, or some combination thereof. Licensed nurses (Registered Nurse and Licensed Practical Nurse) are not authorized by these laws to be full or part owners in a Professional Corporation or Professional Limited Liability Company providing medical services.
Apply Online in the Nurse Portal
- Log into the Nurse Portal.
- Go to the Applications at the dropdown menu and choose Corp/LLC Application.
- Pay $50.00 registration fee online and follow the instructions to upload documents.
- North Carolina Secretary of State forms can be found here.
- The Board will then issue a Certificate of Registration required to be filed with the North Carolina Secretary of State.
Renewal
The initial Board Certificate of Registration will remain in effect until December 31st of the year in which it is issued. Ongoing renewal of the Board Certificate of Registration is then required annually prior to December 31st expiration date. The Board emails a curtesy reminder to renew prior to November 15th, to the Professional Corporation or Professional Limited Liability Company on file. By the 31st of December the renewal for the Professional Corporation or Professional Limited Liability Company will need to be completed on the Nurse Portal.
- The annual renewal fee is $25.00.
- You will log into the Nurse Portal to complete renewals and reinstatements.
- Failure to renew Certificate of Registration with the Board within 30 days of expiration date results in automatic suspension of approval and notification of the Secretary of State.
- Renewal of nursing or advanced practice nursing license/registration/recognition/approval to practice does not renew PC/PLLC Certificate of Registration.
- Annual renewal with the Secretary of State may also be required per laws and rules.
Questions regarding Professional Corporations or Professional Limited Liability Companies may be emailed to Tammy Edelen.