Does North Carolina Allow Professional LLCs (PLLC)?

Yes, North Carolina allows professional LLCs under N.C.G.S. Chapter 55B and N.C.G.S. § 57D-2-02. A PLLC provides liability protection and pass-through taxation for licensed professionals. Formation requires filing Articles of Organization with the North Carolina Secretary of State, designating a registered agent, and maintaining a registered office in the state.

Formation Requirements

File Articles of Organization with a $125 filing fee. Standard processing takes 10–15 business days. Expedited options: $100 for 24-hour service or $200 for same-day service (submitted by noon).

Your Articles must include:

• PLLC name with LLC designator (LLC, L.L.C., or similar)
• Names and addresses of each organizer/member
• North Carolina registered office street address
• Registered agent name and mailing address
• Principal office address (if applicable)

You need at least one member to form a PLLC. Foreign owners are permitted.

Key Protections

North Carolina provides charging order protection under N.C.G.S. § 57D-5-03, limiting creditors' remedies to charging orders rather than direct asset seizure. This protects member interests from personal creditors.

Eligible Professions

The statute authorizes PLLCs but does not specify eligible professions in the provided data. Verify with the North Carolina Secretary of State or your professional licensing board whether your specific profession qualifies. Typical PLLC-eligible professions include law, medicine, accounting, and engineering, but North Carolina's requirements vary by profession.

Important Considerations

• No anonymous formation: Your PLLC requires a public registered agent and office address in North Carolina.
• Online filing available: Typically processes faster than paper submissions.
• Annual reporting: You must maintain current contact information with the Secretary of State.

Next Steps

1. Confirm your profession qualifies for PLLC status
2. Choose a compliant LLC name
3. Designate a North Carolina registered agent and office address
4. File Articles of Organization online or by mail
5. Obtain required professional licenses

Contact the North Carolina Secretary of State's business registration office or your professional licensing board for profession-specific requirements.

---

This is general information, not legal advice.