These Illinois professional service corporation rules are the working half of our overview.
What the law requires: Illinois professional service corporation rules
| Topic (section) | What the rule says |
|---|---|
| Articles (6) | Form BCA 2.10(PSCA), naming the specific profession. Not filed online. |
| Name (9) | A shareholder's name, ending in Professional Corporation, Prof. Corp., P.C., chartered, Limited or Ltd. |
| Registration (12) | Before opening, a certificate from the regulating authority; apply once for each Illinois location. |
| Renewal (14) | A notarized certificate listing each shareholder's name and address and confirming each is licensed. |
| Redemption (11) | A deceased or disqualified shareholder's shares are bought back as the articles, bylaws or an agreement provide; default price is book value at the prior month end. |
Key numbers and dates
| Item | Figure or date | Year; section |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | $50 a location | 2026; 12(a) |
| Renewal | Worded two ways: $40 per year, and, where IDFPR regulates, $40 with expiry every third January 1 (2022, 2025, then 2028). Confirm with the regulator. | 2026; 12(a) |
| IDFPR checklist wording | Registrations expire December 31 yearly. Conflicts with the Act; unresolved. | 2026; checklist |
| Late registration | $50 plus $100 per unregistered year; late fees capped at $500; civil penalty up to $1,000 after a hearing | 2026; 13.5 |
Source: 805 ILCS 10
Recent and pending changes
- Public Act 104-618 (July 24, 2026) puts applied behavior analysis on one related-professions list.
- Public Act 104-796 (August 7, 2026) adds a fifth related combination of beauty, massage and electrology services.
- Public Act 104-764, listed as effective January 1, 2027, adds a discipline ground for IDFPR registrations: missing a new 24-hour misconduct report. Not yet in force.
The named checklist: the Frosted-Glass Roster Pass
- Profession. Name one category or listed combination; confirm your profession uses this route.
- Roster. Confirm each shareholder, director, officer, agent and employee is licensed, apart from the secretary and support staff.
- Stock. Issue shares only to licensed individuals, with no voting trust or proxy, and write buy-back terms for a deceased or disqualified shareholder.
- Articles. File BCA 2.10(PSCA), $150, with an allowed name ending.
- Register. Apply to the regulating authority for each location before opening ($50).
- Renew. Diary the notarized shareholder list (compliance calendar), confirm the date with the regulator, and keep the annual report and Illinois returns current.
Common mistakes
- Believing the articles are the whole job and skipping registration.
- Using the IDFPR application where the business has its own route.
- One registration for several locations.
- A non-licensee holding shares, a proxy or management authority.
When to bring in an attorney
- Choosing a PC, professional LLC or other entity, or reading Section 3.6.
- Buy-sell terms, or the last shareholder's death.
- Adding non-licensed owners or outside investors.
How we can help
Our Aurora CPA firm handles the U.S. tax, payroll and accounting side, alongside your attorney, Canadian CPA or Indian CA. See business formation and registrations and business tax returns and planning.
Frequently asked questions
Who can own an Illinois professional corporation?
Individuals licensed, or legally authorized, to render the same services. The secretary and support staff are exceptions.
Can a foreign holding company own the shares?
The text limits stock to licensed individuals who vote it themselves, so it does not allow entity shareholders. Ask your attorney.
Does a PC protect me from malpractice claims?
Not for your own acts or those you directly supervise.
Must a CPA firm be a professional corporation?
Not that we found. IDFPR's checklist sends public accounting to a Public Accounting Firm application.
Official sources
- Illinois General Assembly: Professional Service Corporation Act, 805 ILCS 10
- IDFPR: Professional service corporation application checklist
- Illinois General Assembly: Public Act 104-618
- Illinois General Assembly: Public Act 104-796
- Illinois Secretary of State: Corporation forms and fees
This page summarizes public guidance in plain language. If anything here differs from the official source, the official source controls.