How to
Start a Private Career School in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Department of Education has licensing authority for private degree-granting institutions. The State Board of Private Licensed Schools has authority over for-profit/proprietary schools and for-profit/proprietary vocational-technical schools. Pennsylvania Department of Education's State Board Private Licensed Schools is a tough and rigorous application process. As of 2003-2004, there are approximately 324 private licensed schools in Pennsylvania and 16 registered out-of-state schools. Most of the schools offer certificate or diploma programs with 89 institutions authorized to grant specialized associate degrees.
The Licensure Process:
Inquiry Following a letter of inquiry from the institution, SBPLS forwards
introductory materials describing its function, structure, overview of
licensure and Title 22 the regulations governing private career and trade
schools along with al the forms needed.
Orientation All applicants are required to send at least one representative to
the SBPLS Licensure Orientation before submitting the applications. The
Orientations are designed to provide an in-depth
study of the SBPLS licensure process in order to assist the institution in
the preparation of the application and the on-site evaluation.
The application is
divided into 15 sections and you will be require to send in two copies.
Sections
Section 1 Fees and
Opening Letter
Section 2 Complete
Application for Private School License PDE 1003
Section 3 Floor Plan
and Certificate of Occupancy
Section 4 Certificate
of Incorporation from Corporation Bureau/Partnership agreement
Section 5 Personal Data
Form with three letters of references/one bank reference PDE 5004
Section 6 Copy of
fictitious business name
Section 7 Surety bond
or irrevocable administrative trust. PDE 4670
Section 8 Financial
report PDE 5190 and 2006
Section 9 Statement on
Reasonable Service and Business Ethics PDE 1647
Section 10 Student
Records Agreement signed by depositor and school official.
Section 11 Resumes for
CEO and School Director/Education Supervisors PDE 340
Section 12 Complete
application for each program with New Program Check sheet PDE 3776
Submit the application
The application will then be reviewed by a board administrator who will ask for
amendments and clarifications of your application in a "cure" letter, sometimes
more than once. Only when the administrator is satisfied with your application
will it be presented to the board. You will be expected to appear before the
board and they too may have questions about your application. Board meetings are
held on a quarterly basis and if you miss your cut off date for submission of
your application you will have to wait until the next board meeting. An
application has one year to be submitted and gain approval otherwise you will
have to pay for another year's application fee.
