Doing business in another State
Doing business in another State
(OP)
I have a few questions that basically revolve around whether or not it is required for a company to file as a foreign corporation in another state.
Suppose I am a licensed engineer at a small firm with only 1 office, in State A, and I am hired by a client who also has an office in State A. The firm is a corporation in State A and also is registered as a Professional Design Firm (with the board of engineering) so the corporation is authorized to offer engineering services in State A. Suppose I (personally) also have my PE in State B. If the client (with his office in State A) hires us (with our only office in State A) to provide a design to be constructed in State B:
(1) does the firm need to file as a corporation in State B?
(2) does the firm need to register with the board of engineering in State B?
(3) does the answer vary from State to State?
follow-up question:
Can a firm register with the Board of Engineering (get a Certificate of Authorization) without first filing as a corporation with the Secretary of State?
Suppose I am a licensed engineer at a small firm with only 1 office, in State A, and I am hired by a client who also has an office in State A. The firm is a corporation in State A and also is registered as a Professional Design Firm (with the board of engineering) so the corporation is authorized to offer engineering services in State A. Suppose I (personally) also have my PE in State B. If the client (with his office in State A) hires us (with our only office in State A) to provide a design to be constructed in State B:
(1) does the firm need to file as a corporation in State B?
(2) does the firm need to register with the board of engineering in State B?
(3) does the answer vary from State to State?
follow-up question:
Can a firm register with the Board of Engineering (get a Certificate of Authorization) without first filing as a corporation with the Secretary of State?





RE: Doing business in another State
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
www.muleshoe-eng.com
Please see FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.
"It is always a poor idea to ask your Bridge Club for medical advice or a collection of geek engineers for legal advice"
RE: Doing business in another State
I believe geeky engineers (especially those who have been in the same position) can help me ask the lawyers better questions to both get me better legal advice and keep the legal fees down.
Does Muleshoe Engineering (or some hypothetical similar company) register as a corporation in every state where your designs will (or may) be used?
RE: Doing business in another State
2) Yes
3) Yes
At least, from the one state that I'm familiar with the statutes of.
--Scott
http://wertel.eng.pro
RE: Doing business in another State
In the end you need to call the state authority of interest and ask for some clarification.
Some state very clearly states that CA is not an issue for once in a while transactions. Most CA application would require the name, contact and address of your "agent" in the state, which of course does not mean that you have to have an agent in every state, but that is where the water gets murky.
Rafiq Bulsara
http://www.srengineersct.com
RE: Doing business in another State
RE: Doing business in another State
Cedar Bluff Engineering
http://cedarbluffengineering.webs.com
RE: Doing business in another State
RE: Doing business in another State
Check the applications (on line) for certificate of authorities and you may find exceptions in some states for entities that are not corporations and also those companies that have 10 or less employees/Owners.
Billing as an individual rather than a company may be a work around, I am not sure.
Rafiq Bulsara
http://www.srengineersct.com