Steps to Become a Licensed School
If you are planning to open a business that offers a training program that prepares an individual to enter a licensed occupation in the State of Washington, you must first apply for a private career school license with us – the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board, a Governor-appointed agency whose mission includes regulation of Private Career Schools throughout Washington.
The application review process takes an average of 60 days from the time a completed application and fees have been received.
Does your School Need to be Licensed?
First step: Determine if your vocational training program is required to be licensed.
If you are a provider offering a vocational education training program to the general public with a program length of more than three days, and charging tuition, you may need to obtain a “Private Vocational School License” to comply with the State’s Private Vocational School Act. To determine your requirements, take the self-test and email it to hannah.bartlett@wtb.wa.gov. If you have more specific questions please contact our Consumer Protection Unit for more information at (360) 709-4600.
What’s next
Once program staff determine that you need to apply as a private vocational school, your next step is our New School Orientation (find more details in the box below). Our staff will email you webinar login information and sample materials.
Looking to become licensed in another state?
If you want to open a school in Oregon, click here for their state requirements.
New School Orientations
Next Step: Your Private Career School Needs to be Licensed
If the questionnaire determines you need a license to operate a private career school in Washington State, or to advertise your school in Washington, you’ll need to participate in a new school orientation before applying. If you haven’t already, you will need to:
- Obtain a Master Business License from the state’s Department of Revenue/Licensing.
- Register with the state’s Department of Revenue.
- If you will be operating a limited partnership or corporation, register with the Secretary of State’s office.
- Finally, be sure to comply with any local ordinances governing businesses in the city or county where you plan to operate.
Please review our New School Orientation presentation (PDF). A free monthly webinar is available, see dates below. Program staff highly recommend attending for further clarification of the initial licensing process.
Please contact the Consumer Protection Unit for login information at (360) 709-4600. Space is limited, so please preregister with staff to ensure your place in the orientation.
New School Webinar Orientation Dates 2023/2024
Each orientation begins at 9 a.m. and lasts approximately 90 minutes. Please register by emailing hannah.bartlett@wtb.wa.gov and include your school’s name, contact name and telephone number.
- December 21
- January 18
- February 15
- March 21
- April 18
- May 16
- June 20
- July 18
- August 15
- September 19
- October 17
- November 21
- December 19
Licensing Materials
- Initial Licensing Checklist (PDF)
- How to Access Online License Application (PDF)
- Initial Online License Application (PDF)
- Financial Reference Form (Word)
- Sample Catalog and Checklist (Word)
- Sample Enrollment Agreement and Contract Checklist (Word)
- Career Bridge – Data Report Information (PDF)
- Sample Student Data Collection Form (Word)
- Sample Transcript (Word)
- Statewide Vendor Registration Form (PDF)
- Requirements for Student Loan Notification (PDF)
- Fee Schedule (PDF)
- Joint Jurisdiction Information (PDF)
- Private Career School Staff Contact Information Sheet
- COVID Protocol Attestation (PDF)
Start your Application
Next Step: Apply to be a Private Career School in Washington
After completing the license determination questionnaire and attending the orientation webinar, please email Hannah.bartlett@wtb.wa.gov for a login and instructions on how to get your password. Then, you can start your online application, email your complete materials, and mail your license fees to the Workforce Board. You’ll need the school’s name, the school location, and a viable email address before we can issue the logon credentials.
Checks should be made payable to the Washington State Treasurer.
Mail your completed application to:
Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board
Attn: PVS Licensing Unit
PO Box 43105
Olympia, WA 98503-43105
Contact the PVS staff at (360) 709-4600 for assistance.
Online application
Start your online application here. Please use Internet Explorer, other browsers (Google Chrome, Safari) will cause errors.
Remember, the application review process takes an average of 60 days from the time your complete application and fees have been received, pending prior applications.
Ownership Change
New Ownership or Ownership Changes
If you are selling your school or the ownership changes for those having 10% or more ownership in the school, you may need to reapply. The process is similar to an initial application except existing materials may only need revision unless the new owner wishes to change them. In addition to the updated materials, we’ll need a sales agreement showing which party will take responsibility for student complaints within the first year of the purchase (students can file a complaint up to one year after completion of a program).
Please contact the Workforce Board PVS staff at (360) 709-4600 for additional details and to be issued a new login and password.