What is a Sole Practitioner?

A sole practitioner is a licensed professional who operates a firm without any other partners. In such a practice, there may be a number of support staff to assist the professional. Several types of legal organization may be used by a sole practitioner, such as a sole proprietorship, limited liability company, or corporation.

Given the specialized nature of many of these jobs, state governments frequently require that sole practitioners obtain a certification and insurance before going into business.

Examples of Sole Practitioners

Here are some examples of sole practitioners across different industries:

Legal Industry

Independent attorneys. Lawyers who operate their own law firms, handling cases independently.
Freelance legal consultants. Legal professionals offering specialized advice without being part of a firm.

Medical Industry

Private practice doctors. Physicians who run their own clinics, such as general practitioners or specialists (e.g., dermatologists, dentists).
Independent psychologists/therapists. Mental health professionals with private practices.

Finance and Accounting

Certified public accountants (CPAs). Accountants who provide tax, audit, and financial services on their own.
Independent financial advisors. Professionals offering investment and wealth management advice.

Creative and Media Industry

Freelance graphic designers. Independent designers working on branding, advertising, and digital content.
Freelance writers/journalists. Writers who create articles, books, or reports without working for a single employer.

Technology and Consulting

Freelance software developers. Programmers or IT consultants offering independent software solutions.
Independent business consultants. Experts providing strategy, operations, or marketing advice.