Rules checked October 25, 2026 · by Dr. Emily Turinas, PhD

How to start a private practice in Massachusetts

The steps are the same everywhere. Massachusetts's rules are what change: your board, your entity, your ads, your paperwork. Here they are for counselors, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, and psychologists, each linked to the official source.

Business education, not legal, tax, or clinical advice. Confirm each rule at the linked source before you rely on it.

Show rules for:

Usual entityA PLLC (professional LLC)

Yearly state filing$500 ($520 online)

Recording sessionsAll-party consent state; get written consent either way

AI note toolsNo Massachusetts-specific AI note law found as of October 25, 2026

By license

Starting a private practice in Massachusetts, by license

Find your license for its Massachusetts title, board, and what associates should know. The full rules for every license follow below, each linked to the official source.

Counselors · LMHC

Starting a private practice in Massachusetts as an LMHC

License: Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). Board: Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professions (262 CMR), Division of Occupational Licensure.

Title in ads: Use your full title, "Licensed Mental Health Counselor," and do not use a title you don't hold.
Continuing education: 30 hours every 2 years, from Board-recognized providers.
Renewal: Renew online every 2 years in the Health Professions Licensing Portal.

Before full licensure: Mental Health Counselor (supervised)

Our research didn't find a Massachusetts board rule on this level's ads or private practice. Whether you may own a practice, bill insurance in your own name, or see private-pay clients outside your supervisor's practice: confirm with your board before you set anything up.

Rules checked October 25, 2026 · Official board site · Ad rules · Consent and records

MFTs · LMFT

Starting a private practice in Massachusetts as an LMFT

License: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Board: Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professions (262 CMR), Division of Occupational Licensure.

Title in ads: Use your full title, "Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist," and do not use a title you don't hold.
Continuing education: 30 hours every 2 years, from Board-recognized providers.
Renewal: Renew online every 2 years in the Health Professions Licensing Portal.

Before full licensure: Marriage and Family Therapist (supervised, before licensure)

Rules checked October 25, 2026 · Official board site · Ad rules · Consent and records

Psychologists

Starting a private practice in Massachusetts as a psychologist

License: Psychologist. Board: Board of Registration of Psychologists (251 CMR), Division of Occupational Licensure.

Title in ads: Call yourself a psychologist only while your license is active, and tell prospective clients who will provide each advertised service.
Continuing education: 20 hours every 2 years.
Renewal: Renew online every 2 years, before your license expires.

If you're not fully licensed yet

Rules checked October 25, 2026 · Official board site · Ad rules · Consent and records

Licensing

Your licensing board in Massachusetts

Read your board's rules before you name your practice or write your website.

License	Board	Continuing education	Renewal
Counselors	Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professions (262 CMR), Division of Occupational Licensure	30 hours every 2 years, from Board-recognized providers.	Renew online every 2 years in the Health Professions Licensing Portal.
Marriage and family therapists	Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professions (262 CMR), Division of Occupational Licensure	30 hours every 2 years, from Board-recognized providers.	Renew online every 2 years in the Health Professions Licensing Portal.
Clinical social workers	Board of Registration of Social Workers (258 CMR), Division of Occupational Licensure	30 hours every licensure period for an LICSW.	Renew online every 2 years, by your birthday.
Psychologists	Board of Registration of Psychologists (251 CMR), Division of Occupational Licensure	20 hours every 2 years.	Renew online every 2 years, before your license expires.

Advertising

Advertising rules for therapists in Massachusetts

Every ad counts: your website, directory profiles, business cards, and often your bills.

Counselors

Your title

Use your full title, "Licensed Mental Health Counselor," and do not use a title you don't hold.

The title is protected by state law.
The Board adopts the American Counseling Association and American Mental Health Counselors Association codes of ethics as official guides, and they cover advertising.

Not yet confirmed: No Massachusetts rule we found says your license number must appear in ads. Check with the board.

M.G.L. c. 112, ss. 163-172, 262 CMR 8.01

What you can't say

Keep ads truthful and not misleading, and follow your profession's ethics code on testimonials.

262 CMR has no ad section of its own.
The adopted ethics codes limit testimonials from current clients.

Not yet confirmed: We didn't find a rule on the word "specialist" or on guarantees of results. Avoid both and check with the board.

262 CMR 8.01

Marriage and family therapists

Your title

Use your full title, "Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist," and do not use a title you don't hold.

The title is protected by state law.
The Board adopts the AAMFT Code of Ethics as official guides, and they cover advertising.

Not yet confirmed: No Massachusetts rule we found says your license number must appear in ads. Check with the board.

M.G.L. c. 112, ss. 163-172, 262 CMR 8.01

What you can't say

Keep ads truthful and not misleading, and follow your profession's ethics code on testimonials.

262 CMR has no ad section of its own.
The adopted ethics codes limit testimonials from current clients.

Not yet confirmed: We didn't find a rule on the word "specialist" or on guarantees of results. Avoid both and check with the board.

262 CMR 8.01

Clinical social workers

Your title

Show your licensure level (LICSW) in every ad that tells the public about your practice.

In a group practice, list the name and licensure level of every social worker you employ or are affiliated with, including supervisors and consultants.

Not yet confirmed: We didn't find a rule that your license number must appear. Check with the board.

258 CMR 20.14(2)(a), (3)

What you can't say

Keep ads truthful, and honor everything you advertise.

No false, deceptive or misleading ads.
Don't charge more than your advertised fee, unless unforeseen circumstances arise and everyone involved gives informed written consent.
Keep a copy of any pre-recorded radio, TV or electronic ad for the Board.

Not yet confirmed: We didn't find rules on testimonials, the word "specialist" or guarantees. Avoid promising outcomes and check with the board.

258 CMR 20.14

Psychologists

Your title

Call yourself a psychologist only while your license is active, and tell prospective clients who will provide each advertised service.

Don't use licensed-psychologist status for anything other than practicing psychology.
Don't use a false name.

Not yet confirmed: We didn't find a rule that your license number must appear in ads. Check with the board.

251 CMR 1.10(3), (6), 3.10

What you can't say

If you advertise fees, charge exactly what you advertise and honor every claim in the ad.

You may advertise set fees for routine services.
Display your current fee schedule prominently in your office.
To charge more because of unforeseen circumstances, get written consent from everyone involved.
The APA ethics code, which the Board adopts, also bars false or misleading statements.

Not yet confirmed: We didn't find rules on testimonials, the word "specialist" or guarantees beyond the APA code. Avoid promising outcomes and check with the board.

251 CMR 1.10(1), (3)

Your business

Forming your practice in Massachusetts

Most therapists form a PLLC (professional LLC). Check what your licensing board allows.

Then get your free EIN, open a business bank account, and get your free NPI. More in do therapists need a PLLC or LLC?

What	Massachusetts
Usual entity	PLLC (professional LLC)
Yearly state filing	$500 ($520 online)
When it's due	By your anniversary date
Where to file	www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/corporations

Paperwork

Informed consent and records in Massachusetts

What your intake paperwork must cover, and how long to keep records. For the full form, see informed consent for therapy and the Good Faith Estimate guide.

Counselors

Informed consent

Get written, signed informed consent before you start any services.

Include your credentials, confidentiality and its limits, tests, billing, and the risks and benefits of services (including telehealth and social media).
Include a client bill of rights with your grievance process and the right to end treatment.
For a minor, document efforts to get consent from both parents or the guardian unless an exception applies.

262 CMR 8.03(3)

Records

Keep records at least 7 years after your last contact with a client.

For a minor: at least 1 year after they reach majority, and never less than 7 years.
Tell clients in writing at the start that records are kept and how to see them.
Don't make a client pay an unpaid balance before you release records.

262 CMR 8.02(1)

Complaints

Include your grievance process in the client bill of rights in your consent form.

Not yet confirmed: We didn't find a rule requiring you to give the Board's contact details. Check with the board.

262 CMR 8.03(3)(e)

Marriage and family therapists

Informed consent

Tell clients in writing about confidentiality and its limits, and get informed consent as the AAMFT Code requires.

Say that you may consult with colleagues.
When you see related people, explain your relationship with each at the start and document it.

Not yet confirmed: The detailed consent checklist in 262 CMR 8.03 is for counselors only. Check with the board on what it expects from LMFTs.

262 CMR 8.02(2)-(3), 8.01

Records

Keep records at least 7 years after your last contact with a client.

For a minor: at least 1 year after they reach majority, and never less than 7 years.
Tell clients in writing at the start that records are kept and how to see them.
Don't make a client pay an unpaid balance before you release records.

262 CMR 8.02(1)

Complaints

Your board doesn't require a complaint notice that we could find.

Not yet confirmed: Check with the board whether LMFTs must tell clients how to file a complaint.

Clinical social workers

Informed consent

Get informed consent before you provide any service.

For a minor, get consent from at least one parent or guardian unless a listed exception applies.
If a client can't consent, get written consent from a court-appointed guardian.
Tell clients their confidentiality rights and limits by the end of the first meeting, and document it.
Answer fee questions promptly and fully.

258 CMR 20.02, 22.06, 20.13

Records

Keep records at least 7 years after your last contact with a client.

For a minor: 7 years or 3 years after they reach majority, whichever is longer.
Clients can inspect and copy their records for no more than the actual copying cost.
If you decline access because it could harm the client, give a treatment summary instead.

258 CMR 22.02

Complaints

Your board doesn't require a complaint notice that we could find.

Not yet confirmed: Check with the board on whether you need to tell clients how to file a complaint.

Psychologists

Informed consent

Follow the APA ethics code's informed consent standards, which the Board adopts.

Massachusetts has no separate informed consent section for psychologists in 251 CMR.

Not yet confirmed: We found no Massachusetts-specific consent checklist. Check with the board and keep your written consent form current with the APA code.

251 CMR 1.10(1)

Records

Keep records at least 5 years after your last encounter with a client.

For a minor: at least 1 year after they reach majority, and never less than 5 years.
Clients can inspect and copy their records for a reasonable copying fee.
If full disclosure could harm the client, give a summary, and give the full record to their attorney or designated psychotherapist on request.
Don't require payment for services before releasing records.

251 CMR 1.10(4)

Complaints

Your board doesn't require a complaint notice that we could find.

Not yet confirmed: Check with the board on whether you need to tell clients how to file a complaint.

Practice

Telehealth, recording, AI notes, and reporting in Massachusetts

Telehealth consent

No extra Massachusetts items beyond a standard telehealth consent were found. Keep the basics: the client's location each session, an emergency contact, and what happens if the connection drops.

Recording

Massachusetts is an all-party consent state: everyone must agree before a conversation is recorded (M.G.L. c. 272, 99). Whatever the law, get written consent before recording a session or using an AI tool that listens to one.

AI note tools

No state law or board rule specific to AI note tools confirmed as of Oct 2026. Federal HIPAA, state confidentiality law, and board ethics rules still apply.

More in AI scribe consent for therapists.

Your consent should

Get consent from everyone in the session before any recording or transcription starts (all-party consent state)
Name the AI tool and what it does (drafts notes from a recording, transcript, or the therapist's summary)
Say whether the session is recorded or transcribed, and how long any audio, transcript, and AI data is kept before deletion

Reporting abuse

Report suspected child abuse or neglect to DCF by phone right away, then in writing within 48 hours.

Call the DCF area office during business hours, or the Child-at-Risk Hotline at 1-800-792-5200 after hours and on weekends.
If a child is in immediate danger, call 911 first.
Good-faith reporters are protected from civil and criminal liability.

M.G.L. c. 119, s. 51A

The order

The order to do it in

The same steps as anywhere, with Massachusetts's rules above plugged in. The full walk-through, with costs and a timeline, is in how to start a private practice.

01.

Get found, early

Your Massachusetts checklist, done for youThe free checklist fits every step to your license and Massachusetts: your board's rules, your entity steps with filing links, and starter intake forms filled in with Massachusetts's requirements.

Get your Massachusetts checklist →

Next steps

Guides for your Massachusetts practice

Free, and written for therapists. Start with the free private practice checklist for Massachusetts: it fits each step to your license.

Do therapists need a PLLC or LLC?Entity types, costs, and taxes, state by state.How much should I charge for therapy?A simple fee formula and a free calculator.Credentialing with insurance companiesGetting on insurance panels, in order.Informed consent for therapyWhat your form must include, with a checklist.AI scribe consent for therapistsState laws on AI note tools in 2026.Good Faith Estimate for therapistsWhat it must include and when to give it.Google Business Profile for therapistsSetup and privacy for a therapy practice.How much does it cost to start a private practice?Every cost, line by line, with three budgets.Liability insurance for therapistsWhat malpractice coverage costs and what to ask.How much do therapists make?Pay by license, and private practice math.

Nearby states: How to start a private practice in Rhode Island · How to start a private practice in Connecticut · How to start a private practice in New Hampshire · How to start a private practice in New York

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a PLLC to start a private practice in Massachusetts?

Not always, but most Massachusetts therapists who form an entity use a PLLC (professional LLC). Most therapists form a PLLC (professional LLC). A sole proprietorship needs no state filing, but it doesn't separate your business from your personal assets. Check what your licensing board allows before you file.

How many CE hours do therapists need in Massachusetts?

Counselors: 30 hours every 2 years, from Board-recognized providers. Marriage and family therapists: 30 hours every 2 years, from Board-recognized providers. Clinical social workers: 30 hours every licensure period for an LICSW. Psychologists: 20 hours every 2 years.

How long do I have to keep therapy records in Massachusetts?

Counselors: Keep records at least 7 years after your last contact with a client. Marriage and family therapists: Keep records at least 7 years after your last contact with a client. Clinical social workers: Keep records at least 7 years after your last contact with a client. Psychologists: Keep records at least 5 years after your last encounter with a client.

Is Massachusetts a one-party or all-party consent state for recording sessions?

Massachusetts is an all-party (two-party) consent state: everyone in the conversation must agree to a recording (M.G.L. c. 272, 99). ethics rules and HIPAA mean you should get your client's written consent before recording any session or using an AI note tool that records.

Can an LMHC open a private practice in Massachusetts?

The Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) is Massachusetts's full license for counselors, issued by the Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professions (262 CMR), Division of Occupational Licensure. The level before it is Mental Health Counselor (supervised). On your website and ads: use your full title, "Licensed Mental Health Counselor," and do not use a title you don't hold. Then set up your business (in Massachusetts, usually a PLLC, professional LLC) and confirm with the board that nothing else applies to your setup, such as a separate private-practice approval.

Can an LICSW open a private practice in Massachusetts?

The Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) is Massachusetts's full license for clinical social workers, issued by the Board of Registration of Social Workers (258 CMR), Division of Occupational Licensure. The level before it is Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW). On your website and ads: show your licensure level (LICSW) in every ad that tells the public about your practice. Then set up your business (in Massachusetts, usually a PLLC, professional LLC) and confirm with the board that nothing else applies to your setup, such as a separate private-practice approval.

What title do LMFTs use on their website in Massachusetts?

Use your full title, "Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist," and do not use a title you don't hold. The title is protected by state law. The Board adopts the AAMFT Code of Ethics as official guides, and they cover advertising. Source: M.G.L. c. 112, ss. 163-172, 262 CMR 8.01.

Can associates see private-pay clients in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts's associate and pre-licensed levels include Mental Health Counselor (supervised), Marriage and Family Therapist (supervised, before licensure), and Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW). Our research did not confirm whether Massachusetts lets associates own a practice, bill in their own name, or see private-pay clients outside a supervisor's practice, so confirm with your board and your supervisor before you set one up.

Which board licenses psychologists in Massachusetts?

The Board of Registration of Psychologists (251 CMR), Division of Occupational Licensure. Continuing education: 20 hours every 2 years. Renewal: renew online every 2 years, before your license expires. Confirm current requirements on the board's site.

Sources

Board rules checked October 25, 2026 from official board, statute, and state filing sites. If something has changed, email [email protected] and we'll update it.

Other states: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming

How to start a private practice in Massachusetts

Starting a private practice in Massachusetts, by license

Starting a private practice in Massachusetts as an LMHC

Starting a private practice in Massachusetts as an LMFT

Starting a private practice in Massachusetts as an LICSW

Starting a private practice in Massachusetts as a psychologist

Your licensing board in Massachusetts

Advertising rules for therapists in Massachusetts

Counselors

Marriage and family therapists

Clinical social workers

Psychologists

Forming your practice in Massachusetts

Informed consent and records in Massachusetts

Counselors

Marriage and family therapists

Clinical social workers

Psychologists

Telehealth, recording, AI notes, and reporting in Massachusetts

Telehealth consent

Recording

AI note tools

Reporting abuse

The order to do it in

Read your board's rules

Decide who you help and how clients pay

Name it and set up the business

Get malpractice insurance

Set up HIPAA-ready systems

Write your paperwork with these rules

Set your fee

Get found, early

Guides for your Massachusetts practice

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a PLLC to start a private practice in Massachusetts?

How many CE hours do therapists need in Massachusetts?

How long do I have to keep therapy records in Massachusetts?

Is Massachusetts a one-party or all-party consent state for recording sessions?

Can an LMHC open a private practice in Massachusetts?

Can an LICSW open a private practice in Massachusetts?

What title do LMFTs use on their website in Massachusetts?

Can associates see private-pay clients in Massachusetts?

Which board licenses psychologists in Massachusetts?