Opening a private practice in New York starts with forming the right business. For licensed therapists, that usually means a PLLC (professional limited liability company). It takes about 3 to 4 months, so start early.
1. Get NYSED approval first
Licensed professions need consent from the NYS Education Department, Office of the Professions, before you file. You submit your Articles of Organization (with each member’s name, New York license number and home address) and pay a $10 consent fee per member. Approval often takes about 8 to 10 weeks.
2. File your PLLC with the Department of State
Once NYSED approves, file your Articles with the NY Department of State. Ask for a certified copy. After filing, you must send that certified copy back to NYSED to register the PLLC.
3. Publish your PLLC notice
New York requires you to publish a notice in two newspapers chosen by your county clerk (one daily, one weekly), once a week for six weeks in a row, within 120 days of forming. Then file a Certificate of Publication with the Department of State ($50 state fee). Newspaper costs vary a lot by county. If you miss this step, your PLLC can lose its authority to do business until it is fixed.
4. Get your EIN (it’s free)
Apply for your tax ID directly on the IRS website. You never need to pay a filing company for this.
5. Open a business bank account
Keep practice money separate from day one. It makes taxes, bookkeeping and billing much simpler.
What comes next
After your PLLC, you’ll need provider IDs (NPI), a CAQH profile, insurance panels, systems and policies. We lay it all out in our free starter guide.
Rather not do this yourself? Our small team handles formation, EIN and tax registration for you. Book a free discovery call or see our packages.
Rules change. Confirm details with your lawyer or accountant.
Sources (checked October 2026): NYSED Office of the Professions: PLLC filing · Cogency Global: NY consent process · Wolters Kluwer: NY publication requirement · IRS: Get an EIN
