What are the references California legislation that says 'Incorporated' and 'Inc.' are equivalents?

Full question:

What are the references and pages of the appropriate California legislation that says 'Incorporated' and 'Inc.' are equivalents?

• Category: Corporations
• Date: 04/07/2025
• State: California

Answer:

The CA Secretary o State has authority to pass regulations regarding corporate names. The answer will depend on the type of entity involved. The following is an example of a CA regulation:

California Code of Regulations
Title 16. Professional and Vocational Regulations
Division 15. State Board of Optometry
Article 7. Optometric Corporations

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§ 16:1546. Name of Corporation.

(a) Except as provided in Section 1518, the name of the
corporation shall contain and be restricted to:

(1) The name or last name of one or more of the present,
prospective, or former shareholders, and

(2) One of the following designations denoting corporate
existence: "Optometric Corporation," "Optometry Corporation,"
"Corporation," "Professional Corporation," "Prof. Corp.,"
"Corp.," "Incorporated," "Inc.," "Optometric Corp.," "Optometry
Corp.," "Professional Optometric Corporation," "Professional
Optometry Corporation," "Professional Optometric Corp.," or
"Professional Optometry Corp.."

(b) The letters "Opt.D." or "O.D." or the word "optometrist"
may be used in the corporate name providing that any person using
such designation shall be the holder of a diploma from an
accredited school of optometry. Some examples of such usage are:
"Doctor John Doe, O.D., Inc." or "Dr. James Smith, O.D. and Dr.
John Doe, O.D., Optometric Corporation."