Ohio § 1701.03
Full text of Ohio Ohio Revised Code § 1701.03, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 1701.03.
(A)(1) A corporation may be formed under this chapter for any purpose or combination of
purposes for which individuals lawfully may associate themselves, except that, if
the Revised Code contains special provisions pertaining to the formation of any designated
type of corporation other than a professional association, as defined in section 1785.01 of the Revised Code , a corporation of that type shall be formed in accordance with the special provisions. (2) The purpose for which a corporation is formed may include a beneficial purpose. Except to the extent that the articles otherwise provide, both of the following
apply: (a) Having a beneficial purpose does not prevent a corporation from seeking any of the
other purposes for which the corporation is formed, including operation of the corporation
for pecuniary gain or profit and distribution of net earnings. (b) No particular purpose of a corporation has priority over any other purpose of the
corporation. (3) A corporation that does not have a beneficial purpose is not required to operate
exclusively for profit or distribution of net earnings of the corporation in all instances. (4) To be effective, a beneficial purpose shall be expressly provided in the articles. A statement of purpose in the articles that includes any purpose or combination
of purposes for which individuals lawfully may associate themselves, without the express
provision of a beneficial purpose, does not establish a beneficial purpose as a purpose
of the corporation. (5) A corporation that meets both of the following shall not amend its articles of incorporation
to include a beneficial purpose: (a) The corporation has issued and has outstanding shares listed on a national securities
exchange or regularly quoted in an over-the-counter market by one or more members
of a national or affiliated securities association. (b) The initial articles of the corporation did not include a beneficial purpose. (B) On and after July 1, 1994, a corporation may be formed under this chapter for the
purpose of carrying on the practice of any profession, including, but not limited
to, a corporation for the purpose of providing public accounting or certified public
accounting services, a corporation for the erection, owning, and conducting of a sanitarium
for receiving and caring for patients, medical and hygienic treatment of patients,
and instruction of nurses in the treatment of disease and in hygiene, a corporation
for the purpose of providing architectural, landscape architectural, professional
engineering, or surveying services or any combination of those types of services,
and a corporation for the purpose of providing a combination of the professional services,
as defined in section 1785.01 of the Revised Code , of optometrists authorized under Chapter 4725. of the Revised Code, chiropractors
authorized under Chapter 4734. of the Revised Code to practice chiropractic or acupuncture,
psychologists authorized under Chapter 4732. of the Revised Code, registered or licensed
practical nurses authorized under Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code, pharmacists authorized
under Chapter 4729. of the Revised Code, physical therapists authorized under sections 4755.40 to 4755.56 of the Revised Code , occupational therapists authorized under sections 4755.04 to 4755.13 of the Revised Code , mechanotherapists authorized under section 4731.151 of the Revised Code , doctors of medicine and surgery, osteopathic medicine and surgery, or podiatric
medicine and surgery authorized under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code, and licensed
professional clinical counselors, licensed professional counselors, independent social
workers, social workers, independent marriage and family therapists, marriage and
family therapists, art therapists, or music therapists authorized under Chapter 4757.
of the Revised Code. This chapter does not restrict, limit, or otherwise affect the authority or responsibilities
of any agency, board, commission, department, office, or other entity to license,
register, and otherwise regulate the professional conduct of individuals or organizations
of any kind rendering professional services, as defined in section 1785.01 of the Revised Code , in this state or to regulate the practice of any profession that is within the jurisdiction
of the agency, board, commission, department, office, or other entity, notwithstanding
that an individual is a director, officer, employee, or other agent of a corporation
formed under this chapter and is rendering professional services or engaging in the
practice of a profession through a corporation formed under this chapter or that the
organization is a corporation formed under this chapter. (C) Nothing in division (A) or (B) of this section precludes the organization of a professional
association in accordance with this chapter and Chapter 1785. of the Revised Code
or the formation of a limited liability company under Chapter 1706. of the Revised
Code with respect to a trade, occupation, or profession. (D) No corporation formed for the purpose of providing a combination of the professional
services, as defined in section 1785.01 of the Revised Code , of optometrists authorized under Chapter 4725. of the Revised Code, chiropractors
authorized under Chapter 4734. of the Revised Code to practice chiropractic or acupuncture,
psychologists authorized under Chapter 4732. of the Revised Code, registered or licensed
practical nurses authorized under Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code, pharmacists authorized
under Chapter 4729. of the Revised Code, physical therapists authorized under sections 4755.40 to 4755.56 of the Revised Code , occupational therapists authorized under sections 4755.04 to 4755.13 of the Revised Code , mechanotherapists authorized under section 4731.151 of the Revised Code , doctors of medicine and surgery, osteopathic medicine and surgery, or podiatric
medicine and surgery authorized under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code, and licensed
professional clinical counselors, licensed professional counselors, independent social
workers, social workers, independent marriage and family therapists, marriage and
family therapists, art therapists, or music therapists authorized under Chapter 4757.
of the Revised Code shall control the professional clinical judgment exercised within
accepted and prevailing standards of practice of a licensed, certificated, or otherwise
legally authorized optometrist, chiropractor, chiropractor practicing acupuncture
through the state chiropractic board, psychologist, nurse, pharmacist, physical therapist,
occupational therapist, mechanotherapist, doctor of medicine and surgery, osteopathic
medicine and surgery, or podiatric medicine and surgery, licensed professional clinical
counselor, licensed professional counselor, independent social worker, social worker,
independent marriage and family therapist, marriage and family therapist, art therapist,
or music therapist in rendering care, treatment, or professional advice to an individual
patient. This division does not prevent a hospital, as defined in section 3727.01 of the Revised Code , insurer, as defined in section 3999.36 of the Revised Code , or intermediary organization, as defined in section 1751.01 of the Revised Code , from entering into a contract with a corporation described in this division that
includes a provision requiring utilization review, quality assurance, peer review,
or other performance or quality standards. Those activities shall not be construed as controlling the professional clinical
judgment of an individual practitioner listed in this division.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ohio § 1701.03
What does Ohio Revised Code § 1701.03 cover?
Section 1701.03 is part of the Ohio Revised Code, the codified statutory law of Ohio. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Ohio § 1701.03?
A common citation format is "Ohio Revised Code § 1701.03" (Ohio). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Ohio law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Ohio official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Ohio attorney.
How does Ohio § 1701.03 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Ohio can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Ohio.