California licensed veterinarians who practice veterinary medicine are permitted to form professional corporations here in California. The statutory authority is set forth in the Moscone-Knox Professional Corporation Act (the “Moscone-Knox Act”). See Cal. Corp. Code, §13400 et seq. Like all types of corporate entities for licensed professionals, a Veterinary Corporation is formed by filing articles of incorporation with the California Secretary of State.

It is often better to form a Veterinary Corporation than to operate a veterinary practice as a sole proprietorship. The corporate form protects personal assets from being seized by business creditors and creating a California Professional Veterinary Corporation greatly facilitates adding licensed partners to a practice. The corporate form shields each of the partners from liability that may be alleged against the other(s). If you have questions about the requirements of forming a Professional Veterinary Corporation, or whether a Veterinary Corporation is the best entity type for your situation, reach out to the trusted corporate attorneys experienced in working with veterinarians.

Pursuant to California law, a Professional Veterinary Corporation has certain naming requirements that must be met when the corporation is formed. These name options include:

Veterinary Medicine: 4911. “Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the name of a veterinary corporation and any name or names under which it renders professional services shall include the words “veterinary corporation” or wording or abbreviations denoting corporate existence.”

Consult with the experienced San Diego corporate attorneys to ensure that the name you want for your Professional Veterinary Corporation is compliant.

When forming a Professional Veterinary Corporation, retain an experienced San Diego corporate attorney to provide advice and assistance. There are special rules under the Moscone-Knox Act with respect to who may be shareholders — owners — in a Professional Veterinary Corporation. Likewise, there are limitations on who may be on the board of directors and who may serve as senior management. A Professional Veterinary Corporation is unique in this way.

The corporation may have employees — such as a receptionist or a book-keeper — who are not licensed as long as those employees are not providing any sort of professional veterinary medical services.

Contact San Diego Corporate Law Today

For more information, contact attorney Michael J. Leonard, Esq., or Christina Gandy-Delgadillo, Esq., of San Diego Corporate Law. Michael and Christina can be reached at (858) 483-9200 or via email. These experienced corporate attorneys can ensure your California Veterinary Corporation is set up correctly and can assist with the annual maintenance of your California Professional Veterinary Corporation. San Diego Corporate Law provides a host of legal services for businesses including formation of other types of corporate entities.