Short answer
Most consulting firms file in Class 35 for business, management and marketing consulting. Financial advisory is Class 36, IT and technology consulting is Class 42, and training or coaching is Class 41. The USPTO fee is $350 per class. Avoid names that just describe the work, like “Strategic Growth Consulting”. File in the firm's name, not a founder's, so the name stays with the business.
Which trademark class covers consulting services?
| Class | Consulting in the field of… |
|---|---|
| Class 35 | Business, management, marketing, HR and operations consulting |
| Class 36 | Financial, investment, insurance and real estate advisory |
| Class 42 | IT, software, cybersecurity and technology consulting |
| Class 41 | Training, workshops, coaching and speaking |
| Class 44 | Healthcare and wellness consulting |
The class follows the subject of your advice. A firm advising on both strategy and software rollouts may need 35 and 42. Courses or a training program you sell separately add Class 41. Our coaching business guide covers Class 41 in more detail.
Which consulting firm names get refused?
| Example name | Type | Likely outcome |
|---|---|---|
| “Strategic Growth Consulting” | Describes the service | Refused as descriptive |
| “Harper Advisory” | Mainly a surname | Often refused at first, may register after years of use or on the Supplemental Register |
| “Northline Consulting Group” | Distinctive word + generic words | Registers, with “Consulting Group” disclaimed |
| “Ardent Path” | Suggestive or invented | The strongest choice |
Words like “Consulting”, “Advisors”, “Partners” and “Group” are free for every firm to use, so they get disclaimed and the protection rests on the distinctive part. Example names are illustrations, not searched marks.
Who owns the name if a founder leaves?
Whoever owns the registration. If a founder files in their own name, they may take the brand with them. File in the name of the firm's legal entity, and put brand ownership in your partnership or operating agreement.
Using a living person's name? The USPTO requires that person's written consent to register a mark that identifies them. Get it signed before you file, and think about what happens to the name if that partner later leaves.
What proof of use works for a consulting firm?
For services, the USPTO wants to see the name used to sell or advertise the service itself. A website page that names your consulting services with a way to contact or book you usually works, and so do brochures and proposal templates that describe the services. A logo or letterhead with no reference to the services is usually refused. If you have clients across state lines, your use already counts as interstate commerce. See what counts as a specimen.
How much does it cost to trademark a consulting firm name?
One class is $350 in USPTO fees. A firm offering business consulting (35) and IT consulting (42) pays $700. Secure Mark USA's service fee starts at $99. Compare our filing packages.
Check your firm’s name before you print the proposals.
Run a free trademark searchConsulting firm trademark questions
What trademark class is consulting?
It depends on the field. Business and management consulting is Class 35, financial advisory is Class 36, IT consulting is Class 42, and training or coaching is Class 41.
Can I trademark my consulting firm if it uses my last name?
Possibly, but names that are primarily a surname are often refused at first. They may register after years of exclusive use or on the Supplemental Register. Adding a distinctive word helps.
Should the trademark be in my name or my LLC’s name?
Usually the LLC or company that provides the services. That keeps the brand with the business if ownership changes.
Do I need a trademark if I already registered my consulting LLC?
An LLC registration creates your company. It does not give trademark rights or stop another firm from using a similar name.
Can I trademark a consulting methodology name?
Yes, if you use it as a brand for services or training you offer. The method itself is not protected by a trademark, only the name.
Related guides
Legal disclaimer: This guide is general information, not legal advice. Secure Mark USA is a trademark filing service, not a law firm. Partnership agreements and disputes over a firm name require a licensed attorney.
Sources
- USPTO: Fee schedule, checked October 26, 2026
- USPTO: Trademark ID Manual (Classes 35, 36, 41 and 42)
- USPTO: Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure (surnames §1211; consent for names §1206; service mark specimens §1301.04)
- 15 U.S.C. §1052(c) and (e)(4): Names of living individuals; surnames
Verified and checked on October 26, 2026.