PLLC Checklist
In NC, all licensed providers whether you’re a therapist or a lawyer need to operate under a Professional LLC (PLLC).
This means (1) filling out forms to send to your board to ask for permission to launch the business. Then (2) filing that paperwork with the state.
PLLC Forms for NC Social Workers:
Assuming you already have your license, the packet that you submit to the board will include the following:
Private Practice Approval Form (linked here)
Application for certificate of registration for professional limited liability company (You can find the form for NC here)
Articles of organization (link)
Job description (don’t sleep on Chat GPT here! And yes you really need this one)
Employment verification (link. Yes, you need this one too even if it’s your company and you’re self-employed)
Notary seal & Payment (At the time of this writing, it’s $50 to apply for the PLLC and $25 to renew. Your bank can help you with both the notary and a check/ money order)
For LCSWAs, you need these three additional steps
Supervisor (Link to form. Here is a list of supervisors on the NC Social Work Board website but I recommend checking the listserv and Facebook groups for supervisors as well.)
Backup Supervisor
Emergency Crisis Plan (You can make this with your supervisor)
Tips: Use dropbox (hellosign) or docusign to ask your supervisor and emergency supervisor to sign these documents.
Here is the FAQ from the NC Social Work Board website.
After you receive approval:
You’ll receive an email from your licensing board with the two documents you’ll need to finalize your registration with Secretary of State. Here’s the link to finish registering: https://www.sosnc.gov/Identity/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2Fonline_filing%2Ffiling%2Fcreation
Attach the following:
Certification from the Licensing Board (Required)
Board approved copy of the Articles of Organization (Required)
Any other provisions you may want included in the Articles. (Optional)
$125 payment.
Annual requirements:
✅ You’ll need to complete the Certificate of Registration Renewal form before Jan 1 every year. You’ll get an email reminder every October. The current price (2025) is $25
How to set up your business, without an MBA
The Private Practice Checklist used to live as a (very loved) blog post, but it’s officially grown up and moved into ThriveCart so you can grab it easily, keep it forever, and actually use it as you build.
Inside, you’ll get step-by-step guidance for setting up the real-life infrastructure of your practice, including:
how to manage and communicate with clients in a HIPAA compliant way
how to market your practice in a way that feels grounded and ethical
how to set up your professional email + basic systems
links to NC referral sources
how, where, and when to pay your taxes
how to set up a bookkeeping system
If you’ve spent years learning how to be an excellent clinician—and almost no time being taught how to run a sustainable business—this is for you. You bring the skill, the heart, the service. This checklist helps you build the container that lets your work last.
Made for any license type launching a therapy-based private practice.
