Study guide
Name and structure for an Oregon LLC (step 1 of 6)
The main points of the lesson on one page, for review.
What an LLC does, and does not do
- The main reason to form one: separation of the practice's finances from your personal finances
- The company, not you, holds the practice's contracts, lease, bank account, and debts
- The separation only means something if you keep it, which is why step 5 dwells on the bank account
- It does not shield your clinical work: under ORS 63.074, licensed members are personally liable the same way as professional corporation shareholders
- Your license, malpractice coverage, and ethics obligations travel with you, not the company
LLC or professional corporation
- Oregon has no separate PLLC category; professional corporations are a distinct type under ORS Chapter 58
- An LLC that renders professional services must name the service in its Articles (ORS 63.047, item (1)(g)); read that line before step 3
- No statute or board rule was found requiring counselors to use a PC, which is not the same as confirming none exists
- If unsure, ask your licensing board and a business attorney who works with clinicians
| Question | Oregon LLC | Professional corporation |
|---|---|---|
| Governing statute | ORS Chapter 63 | ORS Chapter 58 |
| Can offer licensed services | Yes, if named in the Articles | Yes, by definition |
| Liability for your own professional conduct | Same as a PC shareholder (ORS 63.074) | The baseline ORS 63.074 points to |
| Required for counselors by a rule found | No rule found | No rule found |
Check the name first
- Search the exact name in the Secretary of State's free Find a Business tool
- Search the distinctive word alone, then use the advanced search for near matches and older registrations
- Write down what you found; if it is close, pick another name before buying a domain or cards
Trading under a different name
- A name that is not the LLC's registered name is an assumed business name and must be registered
- It cannot include "LLC" unless an LLC owns it, and the principal place of business cannot be a PO Box or virtual office
- Fee: $50, renewed every two years for $50 (as of September 2026; the PDF looks dated, so confirm on the form)
- Simplest route: name the LLC what you will call the practice
Key terms
- PLLC: a professional LLC category some states have and Oregon does not
- ORS 63.047: what the Articles of Organization must contain
- ORS 63.074: professional services by an LLC, and the personal liability that stays with you
- Assumed business name: a trading name different from the registered name