3 Steps to Starting Your Veterinarian Professional Corporation

Form Your Veterinary Professional Corporation in California

If you’re a veterinarian in California, you’re legally required to form a Veterinary Professional Corporation (VPC) to operate your clinic or practice.
California law prohibits veterinarians from forming LLCs or standard corporations for their veterinary practices.

Instead, you must register your business as a Professional Corporation under the Moscone-Knox Professional Corporation Act (California Corporations Code §§ 13400–13410) and the Veterinary Medicine Practice Act.

If your corporation is formed incorrectly, the Secretary of State can reject your filing — leaving you open to lawsuits, penalties, and possible disciplinary action from the Veterinary Medical Board.

At All-in-Juan Business Consultancy Services, we’ve helped thousands of licensed professionals, including veterinarians, establish their Professional Corporations quickly, correctly, and fully compliant with California law.

📩 Email: [email protected]

A Veterinary Professional Corporation (VPC) is a legal business entity that allows licensed veterinarians to practice veterinary medicine in compliance with California’s professional laws.
It must be registered with the California Secretary of State and licensed through the Veterinary Medical Board (VMB).

This structure provides both legal protection for your personal assets and tax advantages when taxed as an S-Corporation.

Every Veterinary Corporation must hold a Certificate of Registration issued by the Veterinary Medical Board before it can legally practice or advertise veterinary services.

Why Elect S-Corporation Status

By default, a Veterinary Professional Corporation is taxed as a C-Corporation, which subjects it to double taxation — once at the corporate level and again at the individual level.

By filing IRS Form 2553 to elect S-Corporation status, you can:

• Avoid double taxation

• Pass business income directly to your personal tax return

• Save on self-employment taxes

• Simplify your financial reporting

This election helps maximize your earnings while keeping your business compliant and efficient.

3 Steps to Form a Veterinary Professional Corporation in California

Step 1: File Articles of Incorporation

File your Articles of Incorporation for a Professional Corporation with the California Secretary of State, clearly stating that your business is organized under the Moscone-Knox Professional Corporation Act.

Step 2: Complete Licensing and Compliance Requirements

After your Articles are filed, you must:

• Apply for your EIN from the IRS

• Appoint Directors

• Draft your corporate bylaws

• File your Statement of Information with the Secretary of State

• File Form 2553 to elect S-Corporation tax status

• Pay annual taxes to the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB)

• Register with the Employment Development Department (EDD) if you pay salaries

• Apply for local business licenses or permits

Step 3: Let Experts Handle It for You

At All-in-Juan Business Consultancy Services, we handle the entire process — from incorporation to registration with the VMB — ensuring your Veterinary Corporation is legally compliant and stress-free from day one.

📩 Email: [email protected]

Benefits of a Veterinary Professional Corporation

Forming a Veterinary Professional Corporation in California offers significant benefits:
✅ Asset Protection – Safeguard personal assets from business-related liabilities.
✅ Tax Savings – Reduce taxes with S-Corporation status and avoid double taxation.
✅ Professional Credibility – Enhance trust and compliance with the Veterinary Medical Board.
✅ Business Growth – Build credit and structure your practice for long-term expansion.

Who Regulates Veterinary Professional Corporations

Under California Corporations Code §13401(b), all Professional Corporations must register with their governing body.
For veterinarians, that body is the California Veterinary Medical Board (VMB).

You must be approved and hold a valid Certificate of Registration before offering or advertising veterinary services in California.

Who Can Be a Shareholder in a Veterinary Professional Corporation

All shareholders, directors, and officers of a Veterinary Professional Corporation must be licensed veterinarians.

Shares may only be issued to or owned by:

• Licensed veterinarians

• Other approved licensed professionals (in limited cases) as permitted by the VMB

Any shares issued to non-licensed individuals are void by law.

Additionally:

• A non-licensee may serve as a Vice President or Secretary, but not as both a shareholder and officer.

• Non-licensees cannot serve as directors.

• Disqualified or unlicensed shareholders must transfer their shares to a qualified veterinarian within 90 days of disqualification.

Name Requirements for a Veterinary Professional Corporation

Your Veterinary Professional Corporation’s name must comply with California’s naming laws. It must:

• Contain the words “Veterinary Corporation”, or a similar term denoting corporate status, such as “Inc.,” “Corp.,” or “Corporation.”

• Avoid using “LLC,” as California does not allow LLCs for veterinary practices.

• Follow any naming rules established by the Veterinary Medical Board.

Example:
✅ Happy Paws Veterinary Corporation
✅ Dr. Sarah Lee, D.V.M., Inc.

Using a Fictitious Business Name (DBA)

A Veterinary Professional Corporation may use a fictitious business name (DBA), but it must:

• File a Fictitious Business Name Statement within 40 days of starting operations.

• Register the DBA in every county where you operate your clinic.

• Ensure the name is not false, misleading, or deceptive.

Example of a compliant DBA:
🐾 Paws & Claws Animal Care (filed under Happy Paws Veterinary Corporation)

Can You Form a Veterinary LLC in California?

No.
Under California Corporations Code §17375, veterinarians are prohibited from forming LLCs to provide veterinary services.
To practice legally, you must establish a Professional Corporation under the Moscone-Knox Act.

Start Your Veterinary Professional Corporation the Right Way

Starting your Veterinary Professional Corporation doesn’t have to be complicated.
At All-in-Juan Business Consultancy Services, we guide you through every step — from filing to registration and tax setup — so you can focus on caring for your patients, not paperwork.
📞 Contact Number: +1 424 407-3686
📩 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: www.all-in-juanbusinessconsultancyservices.com

All-in-Juan Business Consultancy Services — helping California veterinarians form their corporations the right way under the Moscone-Knox Act.