Q: Naming requirements for a professional corporation in California as a licensed counselor.

A: There are indeed specific naming requirements you must follow under state law. The California Business and Professions Code, which governs professional clinical counselor corporations, mandates that the name of your corporation reflects its professional nature and purpose.

Specifically, your corporation’s name must include the words “licensed professional clinical counselor” or “professional clinical counselor.” Additionally, it must contain wording or abbreviations that denote its corporate status, such as “Corporation,” “Corp.,” “Incorporated,” “Inc.,” or “Professional Corporation” (often abbreviated as “P.C.”). This ensures that the public can clearly identify your business as a professional entity providing clinical counseling services. For example, "Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor," "Clinical Counseling," "Professional Counseling," etc.

Before finalizing your name, check its availability with the California Secretary of State to ensure it’s not already in use by another entity.

A: In California, if you’re forming a professional corporation as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), there are specific naming rules you’ll need to follow. The name must include wording that clearly indicates you are offering professional clinical counseling services. This often means using terms like “Professional Clinical Counseling” or “Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor” in the name of the corporation. Using just your name alone without an appropriate descriptor won’t meet the state’s requirements.

The California Secretary of State and the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) both play a role in this process. Your corporation name must not be misleading, and it should reflect the services you're legally allowed to provide under your license. It's also a good idea to include “A Professional Corporation” or the abbreviation “PC” at the end of your business name, as required by the California Corporations Code for professional corporations.

Since you plan to supervise registered associates later on, it’s important that your corporate structure and name reflect your role as an LPCC. If you include additional professions in your practice in the future, that might trigger further naming considerations. Before filing, you’ll want to check with the BBS or consult a legal professional to ensure your chosen name meets all the current guidelines. Taking this step now can save you time and trouble later.