Can a podiatrist practice within a professional corporation in Massachusetts?

• A. Yes, but must comply with the corporate practice doctrine and professional corporation requirements; ownership and control must be held by licensed podiatrists or as allowed by state law
• B. No, professional corporations are prohibited
• C. Yes, but only with physician partners
• D. Only solo practice allowed

Answer: (A)

Massachusetts allows a podiatry practice to be organized as a professional corporation, but it must fit the corporate practice doctrine: professional services must be rendered through licensed professionals and ownership and control of the practice must reside with those licensed individuals. In practical terms, you can form a professional corporation for podiatry and operate within it, as long as the corporation is properly established under state professional corporation law and the owners and managers are licensed podiatrists (or others allowed by law). This ensures that professional decisions stay in the hands of qualified practitioners, while the corporate structure handles the business side.

This is why the best choice is that a podiatrist can practice within a professional corporation if the corporate practice doctrine and professional corporation requirements are met, with ownership and control held by licensed podiatrists or as permitted by state law. The other statements are inaccurate because professional corporations are not prohibited, ownership does not have to be limited to physicians only, and solo practice is not the only allowed option.