Choosing the right business structure is a critical decision for registered nurses and nurse practitioners establishing their private practices in California. Professional nursing practices must comply with applicable rules set forth by California statutes and regulatory agencies. A California Professional Nursing Corporation is a type of corporation engaging in the profession of nursing, subject to unique legal requirements. While general stock corporations, such as California S-Corps, California Corporations, foreign S-Corps, and foreign corporations are popular for their limited liability protection and tax benefits, nursing practices in California are expressly prohibited from operating as a general stock corporations. Only properly registered California Professional Nursing Corporation may practice nursing in California.

The questions, “Can a Nurse Practice Using a General Stock Corporation in California?” and “Can a Nurse Practice Using a Foreign Corporation in California?” have been answered in those previous article and in the articles cited and summarized below. However, the experienced corporate attorneys at San Diego Corporate Law receive frequent inquiries from registered nurses and nurse practitioners who are still receiving mixed information from other attorneys or advisors leading them to believe that it might be permissible to practice nursing in a general stock corporation in California. The California Secretary of State plays a key role in checking name availability and registering professional entities, ensuring compliance with state requirements.

The purpose of this article is to highlight and explore the specific provisions of the California Corporations Code and California Business and Professions Code that prohibit the use of California general stock corporations and foreign general stock corporations to render professional services as a registered nurse or nurse practitioner in California as well as the legislative intent behind those prohibitions. The California Corporations Code provides the structure for forming and organizing California Professional Nursing Corporations in California, and law expressly applicable to California Professional Nursing Corporations governs their formation and operation.

Executive Summary: Key Takeaways for Busy Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners in California

• California Professional Nursing Corporations are exclusively for licensed individuals, ensuring that only qualified professionals provide specialized services, which maintains public trust and accountability.

• The Moscone-Knox Professional Corporation Act requires California Professional Nursing Corporations to adhere to stringent regulations, including clearly identifying their professional services and imposing strict ownership rules to maintain high standards.

• Taxation for California Professional Nursing Corporations allows the election of S-Corporation status for pass-through taxation, offering significant financial advantages compared to general stock corporations. Electing S-Corporation status can also help reduce self-employment taxes for professional business owners.

California Corporations Code Section 13401

The Moscone-Knox Professional Corporations Act is found in California Corporations Code Sections 13400-13410. California Corporations Code Section 13401(b) provides the authority for registered nurses and nurse practitioners to practice in California as California Professional Nursing Corporations with the purpose of rendering professional services in their practice of nursing.

California Corporations Code Section 13401 also provides two definitions required to properly analyze the restrictions on the use of California general stock corporations and foreign general stock corporations by registered nurses and nurse practitioners for practicing nursing in California.

California Corporations Code Section 13401(a)

California Corporations Code Section 13401(a) provides the definition of “Professional Services” as follows:

“‘Professional services’ means any type of professional services that may be lawfully rendered only pursuant to a license, certification, or registration authorized by the Business and Professions Code, the Chiropractic Act, or the Osteopathic Act.”

Thus, Professional Services under the definition provided by California Corporations Code Section 13401(a) encompasses many professions, including nursing under California Business and Professions Code Sections 2775–2781.

Only licensed persons are permitted to form and own shares in a California Professional Nursing Corporation.

California Corporations Code Section 13401(d)

California Corporations Code Section 13401(d) provides the definition of “Licensed Person” as follows:

“‘Licensed person’ means any natural person who is duly licensed under the provisions of the Business and Professions Code, the Chiropractic Act, or the Osteopathic Act to render the same professional services as are or will be rendered by the professional corporation or foreign professional corporation of which the person is, or intends to become, an officer, director, shareholder, or employee.”

Thus, Licensed Person under the definition provided by California Corporations Code Section 13401(d) means those persons licensed in the professions listed above as providers of Professional Services under California Corporations Code Section 13401(a), which includes registered nurses and nurse practitioners in California.

As a general rule, only Licensed Persons may serve as professional employees, officers, or directors in a California Professional Nursing Corporation.

Moscone-Knox Professional Corporations Act

California Corporations Code Sections 13401(a)-(b), together with the rest of the Moscone-Knox Professional Corporations Act in California Corporations Code Sections 13400-13410, defines and regulates California Professional Corporations, including California Professional Nursing Corporations. These sections prohibit California general stock corporations and foreign general stock corporations from rendering professional nursing services, as defined in Section 13401(a), unless they are specifically formed as a California Professional Nursing Corporation and meet the requirements of California Corporations Code Sections 13400-13410. A California Professional Corporation or other corporation must be organized for the purpose of providing services in such profession, and the law may require recognition of such predecessor organization for compliance.

Registered nurses and nurse practitioners in California are generally prohibited from forming a California general stock corporation or foreign general stock corporation to provide professional services. Instead, they must form a professional services corporation such as a California Professional Nursing Corporation. Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners currently using either a California general stock corporation or foreign general stock corporation to practice should also review the following articles: “5 Steps to Convert a California General Stock Corporation to a California Professional Nursing Corporation” or “12 Steps to Convert a Foreign Corporation into a California Professional Nursing Corporation” for information about options for coming into compliance with the California Corporations Code, the California Business and Professions Code, and other applicable laws and regulations enforced by the California Board of Registered Nursing.

Reasons for Prohibition Against General Stock Corporations for California Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners

In California, professional nursing practice is not permitted to California general stock corporations or foreign general stock corporations primarily due to stringent state laws and regulations, including the California Business and Professions Code and the California Corporation Code, designed to maintain ethical standards and public trust between registered nurses and nurse practitioners and their patients, but also with professional licensing boards such as the California Board of Registered Nursing.

Key legal frameworks like the Moscone-Knox Professional Corporation Act dictate that only registered nurses and nurse practitioners and certain other licensed professionals (see: “Who May Be a Shareholder of a California Professional Nursing Corporation?”) can own and control entities offering specialized nursing services, ensuring only qualified individuals provide such services. California Professional Nursing Corporations help protect the personal assets of registered nurses and nurse practitioners from certain business liabilities, such as injuries occurring at the business location, but do not shield against personal liability for malpractice. California does not permit registered nurses and nurse practitioners to form a California general stock corporation or foreign general stock corporation to offer or provide professional nursing services; instead, they must use a California Professional Nursing Corporation to legally render their nursing services.

Understanding Professional Nursing Practice in California

Professional services in California are defined as those requiring certification, license, or registration. These same professional services are not just about technical skills but also encompass legal and ethical responsibilities that enhance accountability and protect the public interest. For instance, when rendering professional services as a registered nurse or nurse practitioner, the professional conduct of the registered nurse or nurse practitioner offering professional services is under stringent scrutiny by regulatory bodies such as the California Board of Registered Nursing.

The legal framework for registered nurses and nurse practitioners in California is notoriously complex. California laws and regulations, governed by a governmental agency regulating qualified individuals such as the California Board of Registered Nursing, are designed to ensure that only qualified and licensed individuals offer specialized nursing services, which helps maintain high standards of professional conduct. This complexity, while daunting, serves to uphold public trust and safety, ensuring that nursing professionals are adequately vetted and continuously held accountable under California law. A California registered nurse or nurse practitioner must meet specific legal requirements to form or join a California Professional Nursing Corporation, as outlined in the California Corporations Code, California Business and Professions Code and related statutes. Compliance with these statutes and applicable rules is essential for lawful operation.

California registered nurses and nurse practitioners seeking to form a California Professional Nursing Corporation must grasp these laws. The formation of a California Professional Nursing Corporation involves more than just filing paperwork; it requires a deep understanding of the relevant provisions in the California Business and Professions Code and the California Corporations Code. This knowledge is crucial for navigating the specific regulations and benefits of California Professional Nursing Corporations. The experienced corporate attorneys at San Diego Corporate Law have the knowledge and expertise to help registered nurses and nurse practitioners with forming a California Professional Nursing Corporation.

Legal Distinctions Between General Stock Corporations and Professional Corporations

One of the fundamental distinctions between California Professional Nursing Corporations and general stock corporations is ownership. California Professional Nursing Corporations are exclusively for licensed professionals (see: “Who May Be a Shareholder of a California Professional Nursing Corporation?”, while general stock corporations can be owned by anyone. This distinction ensures that control and decision-making within California Professional Nursing Corporations remain within the hands of qualified individuals who are registered nurses and nurse practitioners.

A California Professional Nursing Corporation is also subject to different legal requirements compared to a general stock corporation, including specific licensing and regulatory obligations that do not apply to general stock corporations.

General stock corporations are permitted to engage in a wide array of legal activities, whereas California Professional Nursing Corporations are confined to providing the specific licensed professional services stated in their Articles of Incorporation. This restriction maintains the specialization and quality of services provided by a general stock corporation. In addition, California Professional Nursing Corporations are also prohibited from engaging in activities such as banking and trust company business, which are governed by separate legal and regulatory frameworks, but may engage in other business as permitted by the California Board of Registered Nursing.

When considering alternative business structures for a professional nursing practice, it is important to note that registered nurses and nurse practitioners in California may operate as a sole proprietorship or a general partnership to provide professional services, however, being a sole proprietor or general partner as a nursing professional does not provide liability protection, does not separate personal assets from business assets, and is usually the least tax efficient business entity type for the practice of nursing in California.

Tax treatment also varies between the two types of corporations. While both can elect S Corporation status to benefit from pass-through taxation, California Professional Nursing Corporations (as personal service corporations or professional service corporations) may face a flat federal tax rate if they do not make the S Corporation election. This difference can significantly impact the financial strategy and tax planning for California Professional Nursing Corporations, making it essential for registered nurses and nurse practitioners to carefully consider their options.

Shareholder Requirements for Professional Corporations in California

In California, the rules governing who may own shares in a California Professional Nursing Corporation are much more stringent than those for other business entities. Under the California Corporations Code, only individuals who are registered nurses and nurse practitioners may become shareholders (with the exception of those professions and professionals listed in California Corporations Code Section 13401.5). This means that in a California Professional Nursing Corporation formed to render professional services, every shareholder must hold a valid license as a registered nurse or nurse practitioner (or be expressly permitted under the terms of California Corporations Code Section 13401.5).

This requirement ensures that control of California Professional Nursing Corporations remains exclusively in the hands of those qualified to provide the professional services offered by the business entity. The California Corporations Code is clear: a California Professional Corporation cannot have shareholders who are not licensed to practice the same professional services as the California Professional Corporation itself (except as permitted under California Corporations Code Section 13401.5). This rule applies whether forming a new California Professional Nursing Corporation or joining an existing California Professional Nursing Corporation.

It is essential to ensure that all shareholders meet the licensing requirements set forth in the California Corporations Code. Failing to comply with these shareholder requirements can jeopardize the corporate existence and may result in disciplinary action from the relevant licensing board. By adhering to these rules, California Professional Nursing Corporations help maintain the integrity of professional services and protect the public by ensuring that only qualified, registered nurses and nurse practitioners (or be expressly permitted under the terms of California Corporations Code Section 13401.5) are in a position to control and render professional services through the California Professional Nursing Corporation.

Conclusion

The main reason for prohibiting the use of California general stock corporations and foreign general stock corporations by registered nurses and nurse practitioners is to ensure compliance with professional regulations and protect the public from potential harm caused by unqualified or unethical individuals providing nursing services by upholding public accountability standards specific to the practice of nursing.

The State of California wants to ensure that only registered nurses and nurse practitioners who have met certain education and training requirements are able to offer their expertise and advice in a professional capacity as a registered nurse or nurse practitioner.

The reasoning behind this restriction stems from the nature of nursing services, which requires specialized knowledge and experience, and is subject to stringent regulation by the State of California and the California Board of Registered Nursing. Professions such as nursing demand accountability not just to patients but also to the California Board of Registered Nursing.

California general stock corporations and foreign general stock corporations have been deemed incompatible with the heightened accountability standards the State of California applies to registered nurses and nurse practitioners. Thus, registered nurses and nurse practitioners practicing in California must choose an alternative business entity structure that better aligns with the regulatory oversight and public protection goals of the State of California. To comply with California law and protect the public, licensed professionals must select a professional services corporation that is an approved professional business entity, such as a California Professional Corporation, when forming their practice.