If you own or operate a therapy practice and need your NAICS code, here is your answer right away.
The primary NAICS code for a mental health therapist is 621330, classified under Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians) in the Health Care and Social Assistance sector. However, “therapist” is a broad term that covers entirely different medical and non-medical specialties. The right code for your practice depends on whether you treat the mind, rehabilitate the body, or provide holistic care. This page covers the relevant codes so you can identify the one that fits.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| NAICS Code | 621330 |
| Industry Title | Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians) |
| Sector | 62 (Health Care and Social Assistance) |
| Industry Group | 6213 |
| Last Updated | 2022 NAICS Edition (Next NAICS Edition will come in 2027) |
What Does NAICS Code 621330 Cover?
According to the official 2022 NAICS data, code 621330 covers establishments primarily engaged in the outpatient care of mental health patients by licensed health practitioners who are not physicians.
In simple terms, this code applies to independent private practices or group practices where licensed clinicians provide direct therapy to clients. For mental health therapists, this includes:
- Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) providing psychotherapy
- Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs)
- Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) offering mental health counseling
- Psychologists (PhD or PsyD) providing talk therapy and psychological testing
- Practices specializing in anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, or grief counseling
The important distinction here is clinical mental health treatment. This code covers licensed professionals diagnosing and treating mental, emotional, and behavioral health conditions, but it specifically excludes medical doctors who can prescribe psychiatric medications.
Does My Therapy Business Qualify for Code 621330?
Your business qualifies for NAICS code 621330 if:
- You operate a private practice as a licensed mental health professional (LPC, LCSW, MFT, Psychologist)
- Your main source of revenue comes from providing direct clinical therapy or counseling sessions
- You treat diagnosed mental health conditions
Your business may not qualify if:
- You are a physical, occupational, or speech therapist helping patients recover from physical injuries or strokes, which falls under 621340 (Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists) instead
- You are a psychiatrist (MD or DO) who primarily prescribes medication, which falls under 621111 (Offices of Physicians, Mental Health Specialists) instead
- You provide non-clinical therapies like massage, recreational therapy, or art therapy without a clinical mental health license, which falls under 621399 (All Other Miscellaneous Health Practitioners) instead
When your business sits between two codes, always classify based on whichever activity generates the most revenue.
Where Will You Need This Code?
Your NAICS code appears in more places than most private practice owners expect. Here is where code 621330 will be required:
- Insurance Credentialing. This is highly critical for therapists. When you apply to be an in-network provider for insurance panels (like Blue Cross, Aetna, Cigna, or UnitedHealthcare), the insurance company requires your NAICS code to verify that you are a legitimate clinical healthcare provider operating under the correct tax and medical classification.
- Business Insurance. Insurance providers use your NAICS code to calculate your Professional Liability (Malpractice) and General Liability premium rates. Mental health practitioners carry unique risks (such as claims of improper therapeutic boundaries or negligence in suicide prevention), and your code ensures you get the right malpractice coverage.
- Telehealth Platform Verification. If you host your practice on third-party telehealth platforms or EHR systems (like SimplePractice, BetterHelp, or Headway), they require your NAICS code during the business verification process to ensure HIPAA compliance.
- Business Registration. Most state and local business registration portals ask for your NAICS code when you set up a professional LLC or PLLC for your therapy practice.
- Tax Filings (Schedule C). When you file your taxes as a sole proprietor or single-member LLC, the IRS requires a NAICS code on your Schedule C to classify your practice’s income and expenses.
- Business Bank Accounts. Many banks ask for your NAICS code when opening a business checking account to ensure your business is classified properly from day one.
621330 in the NAICS Hierarchy
Every NAICS code sits inside a structured hierarchy. Here is exactly where 621330 fits:
| Level | Code | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | 62 | Health Care and Social Assistance |
| Subsector | 621 | Ambulatory Health Care Services |
| Industry Group | 6213 | Offices of Health Practitioners |
| NAICS Industry | 62133 | Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians) |
| National Industry | 621330 | Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NAICS code for a physical therapist?
If your therapy practice is focused on helping patients rehabilitate from physical injuries, surgeries, or mobility issues, you do not use the mental health code. Your correct classification is 621340 (Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists).
What is the NAICS code for a massage therapist?
Because massage therapy is a non-clinical, holistic health practice rather than a mental health or physical rehabilitation service, it does not fit into 621330 or 621340. Massage therapists use 621399 (All Other Miscellaneous Health Practitioners).
Does code 621330 cover life coaching?
No. A life coach or success coach working with clients on personal or career development generally falls under 624190 (Other Individual and Family Services) or 812990 (All Other Personal Services). Code 621330 is strictly for licensed clinical mental health professionals diagnosing and treating psychological conditions.
What if my practice offers both therapy and life coaching?
You must classify your business based on the activity that generates the majority of your total revenue. If 60% of your billable hours are for licensed clinical therapy (using CPT codes for insurance) and 40% are for cash-pay life coaching, your primary NAICS code should be 621330.
Are clinical social workers (LCSWs) classified under 621330?
Yes. As long as your primary business activity is providing psychotherapy, clinical assessments, or mental health counseling (rather than acting as a case manager or connecting people to community resources), your private practice falls under 621330.