When it comes to setting up a private practice, Melanie Connell has been there, done that, and she can give you two important pieces of advice on how to open your own physical therapy practice in California. One, get a business license. Two, get a good business attorney. Having gone through the process, she can tell you it’s not easy especially if you are new in private practice and do not know a thing about starting up.
Business laws vary from state to state. In California, the set of business rules and regulations are more complicated compared to others. The taxes and fees can be higher, too, depending on the type of business or company you want to register as. Although these laws are set for the benefit of small and large business owners, compliance has become a huge challenge.
California is a great place to hold a private practice for Melanie. She thought if she would become a Physical Therapist here, she wanted to do it the legal way. There are steps that you need to accomplish and rules to abide by. Though it may sound simple, the articles online do not cover what really goes on in the process. While organizing her own private practice, Melanie met challenges that you can learn from.
Her Journey to Becoming a Physical Therapist
Melanie specializes in outpatient orthopedics and holds certifications in nutritional health coaching and manual therapy. Inspired by her aunt, who is a physical therapist, she decided to pursue health sciences and started volunteering. Her interest turned into a passion and physical therapy has become more than a profession for her but a lifetime commitment.
The Challenges of Physical Therapy Practice
Physical therapy proved rewarding until she realized that she was reaching administrative roadblocks in helping patients reach their full potential in physical therapy. As a salaried PT, her capability to offer in-depth assistance to patients was limited. Melanie was a dedicated physical therapist who worked beyond her job description in an attempt to give patients proper help. And there were times when she got reprimanded over emails for spending too much time with patients.
She operated in an environment where the routines prevented her from further evaluating her patient’s conditions. For her, it’s not the best approach to treating people who needed more attention. The pressure of seeing a certain number of people per hour and spending 15-20 minutes with each eventually weighed down on Melanie.
Eventually, she decided to leave the supervised practice. Twenty years was enough and the only way she could really grow professionally and provide the level of care her patients needed was to take the leap and start her own practice. California was the best place to do this.
Turning a New Leaf in California
Moving to the next phase of her career is the best step and Melanie is glad that she took the leap. With her own clinic, she is able to address her patients’ conditions at length and without time limits. Rather than just make an outline of their current health status, she can map out her patients’ condition in detail. She can figure out their stress levels, nutrition, or sleep patterns based on their stories.
Most of her clients have persistent pain and dysfunction. Half of the time, she deals with women with maternal health issues like pelvic discomfort, lower back pain, and posture. Melanie explains, “When it comes to persistent or chronic issues, you have to step back and look at it with a different set of eyes because physical therapy is broader. Sometimes, in chronic cases, the brain is involved and the issue is not just located in one specific joint or tendon.”
This developed her clinic’s philosophy: Everything is connected.
Melanie’s clinic, Remedy Physical Therapy & Wellness, which is located in Southern California turned out to be a success. Her dream of providing excellent care to people has finally come true. Her company’s goal is to “help people find freedom from pain and gain freedom of movement.”
Among the issues she addresses include:
- Persistent, unresolved pain
- Diastasis recti
- Sciatica
- Postural dysfunction
- Headaches
- Neck pain
- Poor recovery from past surgeries
- Plantar fasciitis
- TMJ dysfunction
- Joint pains (knee, hips, shoulders)
- Chronic sports injuries
- Disc dysfunction
- Back pain
- Bladed leakage with high impact sports
Remedy PT’s Services
Aside from this, Remedy PT also offers an online program for women who would benefit from connecting their core. Their approach is holistic with a personalized treatment plan that combines physical therapy and the main pillars of health: breath, nutrition, movement, sleep, and mindset.
Now, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Remedy PT also set up a telehealth program or virtual physical therapy to help people with their conditions without leaving their homes. Using technology, her clinic is able to perform long-distance clinical health care and professional health-related education. It consists of internet-based videoconferencing.
Melanie’s Advice on How to Open Your Own Physical Therapy Practice in California
Melanie’s experience working in different clinics and hospitals gave her a solid footing to start her practice two years ago. However, those years gave her no idea about setting up a private practice – not in California or any state.
So, if you are wondering how to open your own physical therapy practice in California, she can offer two important tips: get a business license and get a good business attorney.
Get a Business License Before You Open Your Own Physical Therapy Practice in California
First things first, get a business license in the state where you want to operate. In California, licensing is made easy as you can start by visiting the CalGold website to get an initial permit application assistance. From here, you can download the appropriate application forms.
If you are a physical therapist though, your first stop would be the Physical Therapy Board of California (PTBC). After getting licensed, you can contact the city government if you live in an incorporated city or the county in an unincorporated location regarding your business license application. You also need to obtain a zoning permit, building permit and register a Fictitious Business Name.
Once you have accomplished all the documentation or attachments, pay the fee and submit in person, online (if available), or by mail.
Brace yourself for the result of your application as you can either get approved or denied. If approved, you can start gathering additional information on how to open your own physical therapy practice in California as further licenses may be required. If denied, you can appeal the denial, address the issues, and submit a new form.
Get a Good Business Attorney to Save You Time and Money
There are many reasons why your application may be denied. If you are new to setting up a business, doing this on your own can be a waste of time and money.
Melanie had zero knowledge in business start-ups, which is why she asked friends who had experience with this and could help provide some help. One of her friends, who is a financial planner, referred her to Andy of Gale and Vallance. Her legal team had been a blessing as it saved her from the nightmare of working with inefficient CPAs and attorneys.
With Andy, she had no complaints. Her legal attorney knew exactly what she needed and accomplished all the necessary requirements for her. As mentioned, the business laws in California are too complicated for a novice. With just a business license, Melanie had doubts about operating.
The firm rescued her from wandering the avenues of business in California without an assurance. They helped her set up a professional corporation and made sure that her company is compliant with the state’s business laws.
Having a Reliable Legal Team is the Key to Setting Up Your Physical Therapy Practice in California the Faster and Easier Way
Thinking about how to open a physical therapy practice in California yourself? Remember Melanie Connell’s advice: one, get a business license for your private practice, and two, hire a business attorney. And make sure to work with a legal team that has your best interest. It would be unwise to rely on other people’s suggestions, which may not be by the book. Seek counsel from a business attorney who knows California’s business laws on point. It is the most cost-effective and time-efficient way of setting up a professional corporation in the state.
When it comes to professional corporation registrations, Incorporation Attorney’s team can help you with your start-up. We will help you with the paperwork and make sure that your business is compliant with California’s complex business laws.
Melanie can attest to our firm’s above-par legal service: “Working with Andrew Gale has been a seamless experience. He listened well and provided solutions for what I needed to begin my corporation. He has been willing to answer all my new start-up questions and I highly recommend him to all small business owners.”
Contact us today and we will get down to business right away.
