In some states, it isn't uncommon to see the name of a law firm or attorney's office with the letters "PC" after it. PC stands for "professional corporation." Like limited liability companies, corporations and other business structures, professional corporations are legally recognized business entities in some states.
Structure
The professional corporation is a business structure specifically allowed for in some state statutes. Like corporations, it allows directors and employees some protection from corporate liability. However, professional corporations are distinctly different than traditional "C" corporations in several ways.
Liability
Like regular corporations, professional corporations shield employees from liability arising from corporate activities. However, professional corporations typically do not offer the same level of liability shielding. These structures are set up to allow professionals more liability protection than typically offered in partnerships, though less than that found in corporations.
Read More: A Professional Corporation vs. an LLC
Professionals
Another key difference between corporations and professional corporations is only licensed professionals can be a part of a PC. Typically, the only professionals who may form a PC are those who must have some sort of state and/or federal license to practice their profession. These include engineers, attorneys, doctors and architects.
Ethics
Because licensed professionals must adhere to a strict code of professional ethics, professional corporations cannot shield these workers from those ethical requirements. Any liability arising from lapses in ethical conduct can still attach to members of a professional corporation.
Formation
Like other corporations, professional corporations must be registered with the state in which they are formed. For example, the state of Iowa allows professionals to form professional corporations. The state requires these structures to file documentation, such as the articles of incorporation and the business name, with the secretary of state's office.
References
Writer Bio
Roger Thorne is an attorney who began freelance writing in 2003. He has written for publications ranging from "MotorHome" magazine to "Cruising World." Thorne specializes in writing for law firms, Web sites, and professionals. He has a Juris Doctor from the University of Kansas.