W-2 vs. 1099 for Group Practices: How to Classify Your Therapists

Whether a therapist is a W-2 employee or a 1099 contractor is a legal classification, not a preference — and it comes down to control. In general, if you control how, when, and where the work is done (set schedules, require your systems, supervise the work), the person is likely an employee, not a contractor. Most group practices that want an integrated team end up with W-2 employees. Here's how to think about it.