The name of a professional corporation or of a foreign professional corporation authorized to transact business in this state shall:

1. (1) Contain the words "Professional Corporation" or the abbreviation "P.C." and the corporation shall identify itself with such designation in the course of rendering any professional service;
2. (2) Not contain any word or phrase that indicates or implies that it is organized for any purpose other than the purposes contained in its articles of incorporation;

3. (3) Be distinguishable from (as the preceding standards may be defined at the time of incorporation or qualification in or under the general and business corporation law of Missouri, chapter 351) the name of any domestic corporation existing under the laws of this state or any foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state, or a name the exclusive right to which is, at such time, reserved in the manner provided in the general and business corporation law of Missouri, chapter 351, the not-for-profit corporation law, chapter 355, the uniform limited partnership law, chapter 359, the uniform partnership law relating to registered limited liability partnerships and limited liability limited partnerships, chapter 358, or the limited liability company act, chapter 347, or the name of an entity that has in effect a registration of its corporate name under either chapter 347, 351, 355, 358, or 359, or any other business entity organized, reserved, or registered under the laws of this state; except that, this provision shall not apply if:

   1. (a) Such similarity results from the use in the corporate name of the professional corporation or foreign professional corporation personal names of its shareholders or former shareholders; or

   2. (b) The applicant files with the secretary of state either of the following:

      1. a. If the name is the same, a change whereby a word is added to make such name distinguishable from the name of such other corporation, limited partnership or limited liability company; or
      2. b. A certified copy of a final decree of a court of competent jurisdiction establishing the prior right of the applicant to the use of such name in this state; and
4. (4) Otherwise conform to any rule promulgated by any licensing authority having jurisdiction over a professional service described in the articles of incorporation of such corporation.

(L. 1986 H.B. 1230, A.L. 1993 S.B. 66 & 20, A.L. 2004 H.B. 1664)