Opening a veterinary practice is a wonderful way to serve the community while doing what you love. But it takes work, and it’s a process that requires patient deliberation and the assistance of legal counsel. One specific way that an attorney can assist you and your practice is to help you acquire the business licenses and vendor contracts that you will need to successfully operate.
Mahan Law works with veterinary clients throughout the United States, including Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana, to help them launch and grow their businesses while successfully addressing legal matters that may emerge at any stage of their existence. Find out how we can serve your practice today.
Licenses, Registrations, and Permits Your Practice May Need
The requirements of each state vary with respect to the licenses and related permissions like registrations and permits that a veterinarian practice must have. A few of the most common examples include:
- Secretary of State registration: Most veterinary practices form as corporations or some form of limited liability company, and should file accordingly with the Secretary of State.
- State and federal tax identification numbers: These are needed to ensure that the IRS and state taxing authorities recognize the business as unique and distinct from its owners.
- Department of Labor: Assuming you hire employees, you will need to register your veterinary practice with the Department of Labor for unemployment insurance and other purposes.
- Sales tax license: You will need to obtain this to collect any required sales tax on goods and services you sell.
- Professional licenses: The veterinarians, technicians, radiologists, and other employees who require professional licenses should have and maintain them.
- Premises license: The regulatory board in your state may require this if you provide certain veterinary medical services.
- Controlled substances permits: Both the FDA and many state bodies require practices to acquire special permission to prescribe controlled substances.
- Veterinary biological licenses: The use of veterinary biologics at commercial establishments, including veterinary practices, is generally regulated at the federal and state level.
- Waste permits: The handling and disposal of hazardous and medical waste is integral to a veterinary practice and requires permits.
- X-ray permits: Installing and operating equipment that produces radiation requires a permit.
- Kennel and boarding licenses: Many veterinarians board animals for treatment and monitoring purposes, and must obtain the proper permission to do so.
- Other licenses and permits: Depending on the jurisdiction in which your practice operates, you could also need a general business license, zoning permit, certificate of occupancy, and much more.
Vendor Contracts for Your Practice
Once you secure the required government permissions, you need to start entering into agreements with the various vendors who will provide the goods and services you need for your practice. Among these are contracts for:
- Medical and pharmaceutical supplies
- Laboratory and testing services
- Equipment
- IT, computers, and data storage
- Accounting, taxes, and payroll
- Credit card and ACH processing
- Invoicing
- Insurance
- Custodial services
- Security
As with any other aspect of running a veterinary practice, the specific vendor needs of your business will be different from the needs of others. You therefore may require many other services and the vendors who will provide them.
How We Help Veterinary Practices With Licenses and Contracts
When you retain Mahan Law to assist with the startup or ongoing operation of your veterinary practice, we get to work by:
- Fully reviewing the operations of your practice to determine which permits, licenses, registrations, and similar documents are necessary
- Helping you acquire and maintain all required federal, state, and local government permissions
- Explaining any compliance requirements your business and your employees must follow
- Defending your practice against regulatory or disciplinary actions stemming from any licenses or other permissions
- Examining your business operations to help you decide which vendors you will need
- Effectively negotiating advantageous vendor contracts that help your practice obtain the goods and services you need at a reasonable price
- Drafting your vendor contracts in a manner that protects your legal rights and financial interests
- Litigating on your behalf, as either a plaintiff or a defendant, concerning any legal issues that may arise from your contracts
Get Started WIth Our Dedicated Veterinary Law Attorney Today
Dealing with the legal and business side of running a practice may seem daunting, but with the right legal counsel by your side you can complete all the necessary steps so you can focus on delivering excellent veterinary service. Learn more today by reaching out to Mahan Law. You can give us a call or complete our online contact form to get started.