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

How to start a private practice in Oregon

The steps are the same everywhere. Oregon'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 regular LLC (there's no separate PLLC)
Yearly state filing$100
Recording sessionsAll-party consent state; get written consent either way
AI note toolsNo Oregon-specific AI note law found as of October 25, 2026
MinorsA minor 14 or older can agree to outpatient therapy on their own. the therapist will involve parents before treatment ends unless the minor objects or it wouldn't be appropriate.

By license

Starting a private practice in Oregon, by license

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

Counselors · LPC

Starting a private practice in Oregon as an LPC

License: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Board: Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists (OAR chapter 833).

  • Title in ads: Use Licensed Professional Counselor or LPC in your ads, and only while your license is current.
  • Continuing education: 40 hours every 2 years, reported in even-numbered years.
  • Renewal: Renew by the last day of your birth month.
Before full licensure: Registered Professional Counselor Associate

Our research didn't find a Oregon 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 Oregon as an LMFT

License: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Board: Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists (OAR chapter 833).

  • Title in ads: Use Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist or LMFT in your ads, and only while your license is current.
  • Continuing education: 40 hours every 2 years, reported in even-numbered years.
  • Renewal: Renew by the last day of your birth month.
Before full licensure: Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Associate

Our research didn't find a Oregon 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

Social workers · LCSW

Starting a private practice in Oregon as an LCSW

License: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Board: Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers (OAR chapter 877).

  • Title in ads: Call yourself a "Licensed Clinical Social Worker" or LCSW in your ads.
  • Continuing education: 40 hours every 2 years.
  • Renewal: Renew every 2 years, by the last day of your birth month.
Before full licensure: Clinical Social Work Associate (CSWA)

Our research didn't find a Oregon 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

Psychologists

Starting a private practice in Oregon as a psychologist

License: Psychologist. Board: Oregon Board of Psychology (OAR chapter 858).

  • Title in ads: Use "psychologist" or "licensed psychologist," with only your awarded degree initials.
  • Continuing education: 40 credits every 2 years.
  • Renewal: Renew every 2 years, by the last day of your birth month.
If you're not fully licensed yet

Our research didn't find a Oregon 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

Licensing

Your licensing board in Oregon

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

LicenseBoardContinuing educationRenewal
CounselorsOregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists (OAR chapter 833)40 hours every 2 years, reported in even-numbered years.Renew by the last day of your birth month.
Marriage and family therapistsOregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists (OAR chapter 833)40 hours every 2 years, reported in even-numbered years.Renew by the last day of your birth month.
Clinical social workersOregon Board of Licensed Social Workers (OAR chapter 877)40 hours every 2 years.Renew every 2 years, by the last day of your birth month.
PsychologistsOregon Board of Psychology (OAR chapter 858)40 credits every 2 years.Renew every 2 years, by the last day of your birth month.

Advertising

Advertising rules for therapists in Oregon

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

Counselors

Your title

Use Licensed Professional Counselor or LPC in your ads, and only while your license is current.

  • Using the title without a current Board license is not allowed.
  • Your license number isn't required by the rules we found.

Not yet confirmed: We couldn't find a rule on whether a license number must appear in ads. Check with the Board.

OAR 833-075-0090

What you can't say

Keep ads accurate, and don't ask current clients for testimonials.

  • No false, fraudulent or misleading ads.
  • Fix misleading statements others make about you, where you can.
  • The Board follows the 2014 ACA Code of Ethics.

Not yet confirmed: No rule we found mentions "specialist" or guarantees by name. Avoid both, and check with the Board.

OAR 833-100-0012

Marriage and family therapists

Your title

Use Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist or LMFT in your ads, and only while your license is current.

  • Using the title without a current Board license is not allowed.
  • Your license number isn't required by the rules we found.

Not yet confirmed: We couldn't find a rule on whether a license number must appear in ads. Check with the Board.

OAR 833-075-0090

What you can't say

Keep ads accurate, and don't ask current clients for testimonials.

  • No false, fraudulent or misleading ads.
  • Fix misleading statements others make about you, where you can.
  • The Board follows the 2014 ACA Code of Ethics.

Not yet confirmed: No rule we found mentions "specialist" or guarantees by name. Avoid both, and check with the Board.

OAR 833-100-0012

Clinical social workers

Your title

Call yourself a "Licensed Clinical Social Worker" or LCSW in your ads.

  • Only licensed or certified social workers may use "social worker" or similar titles.
  • Your license number isn't required by the rules we found.

Not yet confirmed: We couldn't find a rule on whether a license number must appear in ads. Check with the Board.

ORS 675.520

What you can't say

Keep ads honest and don't misstate your qualifications.

  • Don't misrepresent your education, experience or affiliations.
  • Give accurate, complete information about your services.

Not yet confirmed: We found no Oregon social work rule on testimonials, "specialist" or guarantees. Avoid all three, and ask the Board.

OAR 877-030-0040 and 0070

Psychologists

Your title

Use "psychologist" or "licensed psychologist," with only your awarded degree initials.

  • Example: Jane Doe, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist.
  • Don't use made-up titles like "licensed clinical psychologist."
  • The Board issues no specialty licenses.
  • Inactive? Say "inactive psychologist."

Not yet confirmed: We couldn't find a rule on whether a license number must appear in ads. Check with the Board.

OAR 858-010-0062

What you can't say

Keep ads truthful and follow the APA Ethics Code, which the Board adopts.

  • The code covers false or deceptive statements and testimonials.

Not yet confirmed: OAR chapter 858 has no advertising rule of its own. Read the APA code (Standards 5.01 and 5.05) and ask the Board about "specialist" claims.

OAR 858-010-0075

Your business

Forming your practice in Oregon

Oregon has no separate PLLC. Therapists generally form a regular LLC, still subject to their licensing board's rules. Check with your board before you file.

Local taxes: Portland and the Portland metro area add business income taxes and personal income taxes (Metro SHS, Multnomah preschool).

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

WhatOregon
Usual entityregular LLC (there's no separate PLLC)
Yearly state filing$100
When it's dueBy your anniversary date
Where to filesos.oregon.gov/business

Paperwork

Informed consent and records in Oregon

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

Give each client your Board-approved Professional Disclosure Statement before you start.

  • It covers your approach, training, fees and a client bill of rights.
  • Without it, you can't charge a fee for services.
  • Sending it electronically? Keep proof the client got it.
  • Changes to the statement go to the Board for approval.

OAR 833-075-0050

Records

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

  • No separate rule for minors that we found.
  • Records need an assessment, goals and progress notes made at the time.
  • Don't withhold records because a client owes you money.
  • Name a custodian of records.

Not yet confirmed: We found no longer period for minors. Other laws (HIPAA, insurers) may require longer.

OAR 833-075-0070 and 0080

Complaints

Put the Board's contact details and the right to file a complaint in your Professional Disclosure Statement.

  • The client bill of rights in the statement includes the right to file a complaint.
  • Include the Board's name, address, phone and email.

OAR 833-075-0050

Marriage and family therapists

Informed consent

Give each client your Board-approved Professional Disclosure Statement before you start.

  • It covers your approach, training, fees and a client bill of rights.
  • Without it, you can't charge a fee for services.
  • Sending it electronically? Keep proof the client got it.
  • Changes to the statement go to the Board for approval.

OAR 833-075-0050

Records

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

  • No separate rule for minors that we found.
  • Records need an assessment, goals and progress notes made at the time.
  • Don't withhold records because a client owes you money.
  • Name a custodian of records.

Not yet confirmed: We found no longer period for minors. Other laws (HIPAA, insurers) may require longer.

OAR 833-075-0070 and 0080

Complaints

Put the Board's contact details and the right to file a complaint in your Professional Disclosure Statement.

  • The client bill of rights in the statement includes the right to file a complaint.
  • Include the Board's name, address, phone and email.

OAR 833-075-0050

Clinical social workers

Informed consent

Explain your services, the risks and the limits of confidentiality before you start.

  • Give accurate, complete information on services, risks, rights and obligations.
  • Tell clients your fee arrangement before services begin.
  • Get informed consent before recording or letting anyone observe.

Not yet confirmed: No required consent form or written format was found. Ask the Board if you want a model.

OAR 877-030-0070

Records

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

  • The rule has no separate period for minors.
  • Records need an assessment, a treatment plan and progress notes made at the time.
  • Name a qualified person to hold your records if you die or can't practice, and tell the Board.

Not yet confirmed: Other laws (HIPAA, insurers) may require longer.

OAR 877-030-0100

Complaints

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

  • Clients can file with the Board through its online complaint form.

Not yet confirmed: Not found in the rules we reviewed. Adding the Board's contact details to your consent form is a safe choice, and you can confirm with the Board.

Psychologists

Informed consent

Get informed consent before you start, following the APA Ethics Code the Board adopts.

  • Keep signed informed consents in the client record.
  • The APA code sets what to cover (Standards 3.10 and 10.01).

Not yet confirmed: Oregon sets no required form or wording. Read the APA standards to build your consent form.

OAR 858-010-0075 and 0060

Records

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

  • The rule has no separate period for minors.
  • Records include test data, fee arrangement, dates of contact and signed consents.
  • Name a qualified Oregon psychologist to hold your records if you die or can't practice, and tell the Board.

Not yet confirmed: Other laws (HIPAA, insurers) may require longer.

OAR 858-010-0060

Complaints

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

  • Clients file with the Board through its online complaint form.

Not yet confirmed: Not found in the rules we reviewed. Adding the Board's contact details to your consent form is a safe choice, and you can confirm with the Board.

Practice

Telehealth, recording, AI notes, and reporting in Oregon

Telehealth consent

No extra Oregon 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

Oregon is an all-party consent state: everyone must agree before a conversation is recorded (ORS 165.540). 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 immediately, yourself. You can't hand it off to anyone else.

  • Call the Oregon DHS Child Abuse Hotline at 1-855-503-7233 (1-855-503-SAFE), 24 hours a day, or call local law enforcement.
  • If a child is in immediate danger, call 911 first.
  • The duty applies even if your employer has its own reporting steps.
  • Failing to report is a Class A violation.

Not yet confirmed: We found no written follow-up requirement in the statute text. Ask DHS on the hotline if they want one.

ORS 419B.010 and 419B.015

Seeing minors

In Oregon, a minor 14 or older can agree to outpatient therapy on their own. the therapist will involve parents before treatment ends unless the minor objects or it wouldn't be appropriate. Custody orders, parent access to records, and medication consent are separate questions, so confirm the details before you see minors.

The order

The order to do it in

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

01.

Read your board's rules

02.

Decide who you help and how clients pay

03.

Name it and set up the business

04.

Get malpractice insurance

05.

Set up HIPAA-ready systems

06.

Write your paperwork with these rules

07.

Set your fee

08.

Get found, early

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

Next steps

Guides for your Oregon practice

Free, and written for therapists. Start with the free private practice checklist for Oregon: 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 Washington · How to start a private practice in California · How to start a private practice in Idaho · How to start a private practice in Nevada

Frequently asked questions

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

In Oregon, plan on a regular LLC (there's no separate PLLC). Oregon has no separate PLLC. 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 Oregon?

Counselors: 40 hours every 2 years, reported in even-numbered years. Marriage and family therapists: 40 hours every 2 years, reported in even-numbered years. Clinical social workers: 40 hours every 2 years. Psychologists: 40 credits every 2 years.

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

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

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

Oregon is an all-party (two-party) consent state: everyone in the conversation must agree to a recording (ORS 165.540). 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 LPC open a private practice in Oregon?

The Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) is Oregon's full license for counselors, issued by the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists (OAR chapter 833). The level before it is Registered Professional Counselor Associate. On your website and ads: use Licensed Professional Counselor or LPC in your ads, and only while your license is current. Then set up your business (in Oregon, usually a regular LLC, there's no separate PLLC) and confirm with the board that nothing else applies to your setup, such as a separate private-practice approval.

Can an LCSW open a private practice in Oregon?

The Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) is Oregon's full license for clinical social workers, issued by the Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers (OAR chapter 877). The level before it is Clinical Social Work Associate (CSWA). On your website and ads: call yourself a "Licensed Clinical Social Worker" or LCSW in your ads. Then set up your business (in Oregon, usually a regular LLC, there's no separate PLLC) 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 Oregon?

Use Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist or LMFT in your ads, and only while your license is current. Using the title without a current Board license is not allowed. Your license number isn't required by the rules we found. Source: OAR 833-075-0090.

Can associates see private-pay clients in Oregon?

Oregon's associate and pre-licensed levels include Registered Professional Counselor Associate, Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Associate, and Clinical Social Work Associate (CSWA). Our research did not confirm whether Oregon 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 Oregon?

The Oregon Board of Psychology (OAR chapter 858). Continuing education: 40 credits every 2 years. Renewal: renew every 2 years, by the last day of your birth month. 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 · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming