Note:

Changes in the laws, rules and regulations since the 2001 edition of the LSBEP Directory and Statutory Reference book appear in boldface type in this 2002 edition.

Professional Psychology Corporation Act, La. R.S. 12:1130-1144 (1979)

§1130. Terms defined as used in this chapter.

         A. “Professional psychology corporation” means a corporation organized pursuant to this Chapter for the practice of psychology.

         B. All terms used both in this Chapter and in Chapter 1 of this Title shall have the same meaning when used in this Chapter, as when used in Chapter 1.

§1131. Professional corporations

         One or more natural persons, of full age and duly licensed to practice psychology in this state, may form a corporation under Chapter 1 of this Title for the purpose of practicing psychology. Such corporations shall be subject to all of the provisions of Chapter 1, as the same may from time to time be amended, except to the extent that such provisions are inconsistent with the provisions of this Chapter.

§ 1132. The corporate name

         The corporate name may consist of the full or last name or names of one or more voting shareholders, former voting shareholders, or members of a predecessor psychology partnership, or it may consist of any other name approved by the secretary of state. The name shall end with one of the phrases (which may be in parentheses) “A Professional Psychology Corporation,” “A Professional Corporation” or “A Psychology Corporation.” The name may include “Limited” or “Ltd.” The name need not contain “Incorporated” or “Inc.”

§ 1133. Corporate authority

         A professional psychology corporation shall engage in no business other than the practice of psychology, but may hold property for investment or in connection with its psychology practice.

§ 1134. Shares

         A. There shall be only one class of shares of a professional psychology corporation, denominated common shares, which shall be either with or without par value.

         B. Either a shareholder who is a natural person duly licensed to practice psychology in this state, and who holds his shares in his own right, or another professional psychology corporation, shall be entitled to vote such shares, and to participate in the corporation’s earnings. Any other shareholder shall have no voting rights for any purpose whatever, shall not participate in the corporation’s earnings, and shall have no access to any records or communications pertaining to psychological services rendered by, or any other affairs of, the corporation, except as provided in R.S. 12:1142.

         C. R.S. 12:33 shall not apply to professional psychology corporations.

§ 1135. Certificate of stock

         A. Each certificate of stock shall contain the corporation’s full name, and the following statement: “Except when held in his own right by a natural person duly licensed to practice psychology or another professional psychology corporation in the state of Louisiana, the shares represented by this certificate are not entitled to be voted or to participate in the earnings of the corporation, and the holder is not entitled to participate in the management, of, or in the rendition of psychological services by, the corporation, or to have access to any records or communications pertaining to psychological services rendered by, or any other affairs of, the corporation.”

         B. Each certificate of stock shall contain a reference to any and all agreements among the corporation’s voting shareholders made pursuant to R.S. 12:1138.

         C. There shall be no provision for compulsory offer of shares for purchase or by sale to the corporation, and, except as provided in R.S. 12:22, no restriction upon the transfer of shares, unless, in either event, such provision or restriction is stated or summarized on the certificate representing the shares.

§ 1136. Liability of incorporators, subscribers, shareholders, directors, officers and agents

         A. A subscriber to, or holder of, shares of a professional psychology corporation shall be under no liability to the corporation with respect to such shares, other than the obligations of complying with the terms of the subscription therefor, and said obligation shall continue whether or not his rights or shares have been assigned or transferred.

         B. A shareholder shall not be personally liable for any debt or liability of the corporation.

         C. Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed as in derogation of any rights which any person may by law have against an incorporator, subscriber, shareholder, director, officer or agent of the corporation because of any fraud practiced upon him, or because of any breach of professional duty or other negligent or wrongful act by such person, or in derogation of any right which the corporation may have against any of such persons because of any fraud practiced upon it by him.

§ 1137. Action of shareholders

         Any action by, or requiring the assent of, the shareholders of a professional psychology corporation may be taken on the affirmative vote of a majority (or such greater proporation as the articles of incorporation may specify) in interest of the voting shareholders present or represented at a meeting duly called and held on due notice at which a quorum is presented or represented.

§ 1138. Shareholder’s agreements

         A.  Any lawful provision regulating the affairs of a professional psychology corporation or the rights and liabilities of its shareholders, which is not required to be set forth in the articles of incorporation, may be set forth in an agreement among all of the voting shareholders, and such agreement shall be binding on the corporation and all persons who are at the time such agreement is made, or who thereafter become, shareholders of the corporation. Such agreement may be terminated at any time by a majority in interest of the voting shareholders.

         B. A duplicate copy of such agreement shall be filed in the corporation’s registered office which shall be open daily during business hours to the inspection of any shareholders or his attorney or legal representative.

§ 1139. Directors

         Only voting shareholders, or voting shareholders of another professional psychology corporation, may be directors. If there are fewer than three voting shareholders, there need by only as many directors as voting shareholders. The office of a director shall become vacant if he ceases to be a voting shareholder.

§ 1140. Officers and agents

         A. Only voting shareholders, or voting shareholders of another professional psychology corporation, may be officers. If there is only one voting shareholder, all officers may be combined in his person. The office or offices held by an officer shall become vacant if he ceases to be a voting shareholder.

         B. Only natural persons duly licensed to practice psychology in this state may render psychological services on behalf of a professional psychology corporation.

§ 1141. Merger and consolidations

         Professional psychology corporations may be merged into or consolidated only with other professional psychology corporations.

§ 1142. Dissolution

         A. The fact that it has no voting shareholders shall be an additional ground for involuntary dissolution of a professional psychology corporation.

         B. In the event of the death of a shareholder of a professional psychology corporation, said shareholder’s succession representative, or those placed in possession of the shares of said shareholder if there be no administration of the succession, as the case may be, shall be entitled to vote the shares of said shareholder and to be elected a director and officer of the corporation for the purpose of effectuating a voluntary dissolution and liquidation of the corporation, in or out of court, pursuant to the Louisiana Business Corporation Law.

§1143. Regulation by the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists

         Professional psychology corporations shall be subject to the discipline of the

Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists and to its authority to adopt rules and regulations governing the practice of psychology.

§ 1144. Short title.