Approval to Operate a Private Career S​chool in Maryland​

​Frequently Asked Questions

*Before completing an application for approval of a new private career school,
view all PROGRAM ALERTS.*
 

What is a "private career school" (PCS)?

 

In brief, private career schools offer career training to adults. PCS are also variously known as trade or technical schools or occupational training schools. The legal definition of a private career school in Maryland is a privately owned and operated institution of postsecondary education, other than an institution of higher education, that furnishes or offers to furnish programs, whether requiring a payment or a fee, for the purpose of training, retraining, or upgrading individuals for gainful employment as skilled or semiskilled workers or technicians in recognized occupations or in new and emerging occupations. (See Approved PCS​ for information about currently approved schools.)​​​​

Do I need to become a PCS?

 

Not all educational institutions or training providers are required to have Commission approval to operate in Maryland. Some education or training offered by churches or religious institutions, as well as various workshops or seminars, continuing education programs, apprenticeships, and instruction offered by businesses for the exclusive use of their employees might not be subject to Commission approval.

To determine whether Commission approval is required for your education or training to be offered in Maryland, complete and submit a Training Provider Questionnaire.

Training providers offering training to the public who are neither approved nor have received notice otherwise from the Commission will be directed to cease and desist operation or be subject to legal action including closure and fines or both.​​

What are the considerations for becoming a PCS?

 

Please be aware that the application procedure to become approved to operate a private career school in Maryland and to operate a successful business venture requires resources, planning, and commitment. For those not experienced with starting a business or a school, developing a comprehensive, written business plan before completing the application is recommended. The Small Business Administration provides a number of useful resources such as the Small Business Readiness Assessment Tool​ to help you determine if you are ready to start a small business.

Sometimes applicants are so focused on the requirements of the application that they fail to think through the actual demands of running the school. Keep in mind that a successful school has strong plans for student record keeping including tracking students’ grades and daily attendance, placement, managing personnel including making sure that classes always have qualified instructors in place, and having a sound financial plan to start a school when expenses are high and income is not yet established.​​

What is the process for becoming a PCS?

 

Generally, one must submit a complete ap​plication (including a financial guarantee, detailed training curriculum, detailed school catalog, enrollment agreement, student transcript), application fee, Student Guarantee Fund payment, copy of facility lease and related permits, and instructor and staff personnel forms.

  1. Applications are reviewed by Commission staff within 30 days of receipt and returned if any part of the application is found to be incomplete;
  2. Once the curricular materials are found to be complete, they are typically reviewed by independent subject matter experts and noted deficiencies are addressed by the applicant;
  3. A site visit of the training facility is required to ensure that it and any related equipment meet minimum requirements;
  4. The Secretary’s Advisory Council (SAC) must review the completed application and make recommendation to the Secretary of Higher Education. The SAC meets on an ad hoc basis and no more than once a month.
  5. If the SAC recommends approval, the application is forwarded to the Secretary of Higher Education for determination as to whether a certificate of approval will be issued.​

Can I open a school anywhere in the State?

 

The need for graduates of your occupational training program must be evidenced according to various factors including labor market data, the number of local employers, their annual projected job openings, and the existence of other local providers of the training, which may include the employers, existing private career schools, community colleges, and public and private four-year collegiate institutions.

In some locations, existing training providers may already be supplying sufficient numbers of graduates for an occupation. In such situations, there would be no need for another provider for the occupation as the market is already saturated and graduates would likely not be able to obtain training-related employment.​​​

What are the most critical components of the PCS application?

 

​The critical components of the application which require a great deal of careful planning are:

  • The CURRICULUM including detailed daily lesson plans, outline, and full description of the delivery of the training program to students.
  • The CATALOG including admission requirements, attendance, satisfactory progress and grading policies.
  • The FACILITY including the lease, permits and inspections, liability and workers' compensation insurance.
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Can I get interim approval to operate a new private career school?

 

In general, interim approval may only be given in the event of the death of an already MHEC-approved school certificate holder.​​​​​

What does it cost to open a private career school?

 

There are several initial cost considerations when deciding whether to apply for approval to open a Private Career School.

  • Application fee: A minimum cost of $300 dependent upon the number of programs being proposed. This fee is nonrefundable.
  • Guaranty Student Tuition Fund payment: A minimum cost of $2,500 dependent upon the planned enrollment of the proposed school.
  • Financial Guarantee: There will be costs involved when obtaining a performance bond or letter-of-credit to cover the school’s financial guarantee.
  • Facility: Costs may include the lease or purchase of a facility, initial utility fees, construction or build-out costs, county or city permits and inspections.
  • Equipment: Sufficient furniture and equipment for offices, classrooms and laboratories.
  • Other: Other expenses may include books; supplies; liability and workers’ compensation insurance; possible fees from consultants, accountants and attorneys; and corporation or business registration. Once the school is approved to operate in the State, there will be all of the usual ongoing expenses of running a business (salaries/benefits, utilities, rent/mortgage, supplies, taxes, etc.).
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Training Provider Questionnaire ("TPQ")

Please complete and submit the questionnaire to learn whether or not your proposed training would require you to operate a private career school.  After the questionnaire has been received, an official letter will be e-mailed to you.  This is not an application.  

Please follow the hyperlink below and be sure to complete all information that is requested in the questionnaire.  If information is omitted, your submitted questionnaire may not be reviewed. ​


​​​Please submit (1) single TPQ per program and email the completed TPQ to: pcs.mhec@maryland.gov

An official determination letter will be emailed to you.  
The U.S. Postal Service 
will not be utilized.


New Private Career School Applicant Workshop

YOU MUST ATTEND THE NEW APPLICANT WORKSHOP PRIOR TO SUBMITTING THE INITIAL APPLICATION TO OWN AND OPERATE A PRIVATE CAREER SCHOOL. 

Step 1: You must submit a Training Provider Questionnaire (“TPQ").

 

Step 2: You must receive a "Not Exempt" determination letter in response to your submitted TPQ. [You are not required to attend the New Applicant Workshop if you have received either a “Not Regulated" or “Exempt" determination letter.]


Step 3: A New Applicant Workshop Registration Form will be emailed to you upon receiving notification of your intent to apply to own and operate a private career school.


Important Details:

  • There is no fee charged to attend the New Applicant Workshop.
  • The prospective school owner must attend the Workshop even if accompanied by one other person (e.g., consultant, administrator).
  • Space is limited, and you may not be able to attend the Workshop on your desired date.
  • There are no “same-day" registrations. 
  • You will not be admitted until 10:30 am so please do not attempt to log-in before 10:30 am.
  • If you attempt to join 10 minutes late (or later), you will not be admitted.
  • Unfortunately, we are unable to address a high volume of inquiries, calls or emails. Please check this webpage for details and updates. Thank you in advance for your patience.


Upcoming Workshop
 October 16, 2024  - 10:30 am - 12 pm​​

Previous Workshops
June 26, 2024 - 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
March 20, 2024 - 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
​January 10, 2024 - 10:30 am - 12:00 pm


Tentative Upcoming Workshops
Check back for updates for additional training​
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New Private Career School Applications

THERE IS NO EXPEDITED APPLICATION PROCESS.  THE APPLICATION PROCESS MAY TAKE FROM 6 - 9 MONTHS. 
 AFTER APPLYING, APPROVAL IS NOT GUARANTEED.

*****IMPORTANT NOTICE*****
Effective October 1, 2024

The Maryland Higher Education Commission (or Career & Workforce Education unit) respectfully requests entities not submit initial applications from October 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024. 

During this period of time, the staff will be engaged in the Annual Report review process and finalizing applications in process to ensure more timely responses for the upcoming calendar year. 

Please note:

          Approved institutions may submit program ​modifications and should report any urgent institution changes that require notification and/or approval.

​How to Submit the New Private Career School Application:
  1. Only electronic submissions will be accepted.  Hardcopies of your application should not be delivered to our office.
  2. Please follow the instructions within the application on how to electronically submit an application.
  3. Only the following should be physically mailed to our office:
    • Original, signed financial guarantee​
    • Application Fee (nonrefundable)
    • GSTF Payment (refundable if approval is denied)


New Private Career School Application *REVISED* :

Only the New Private Career School Application posted below will be accepted at this time.

New Private Career School Application Fillable PDF.pdf

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Additional Information for Real Estate Training Only

REAL ESTATE NEW SCHOOL APPLICATION INFORMATION


New Private Career School Application 

(For Non-Profit Entities that Charge No Tuition)

PDF | MS Word


Essential Forms




 

Regulatory Requirements & Considerations

For regulatory requirements and considerations for offering a program in-part or in-whole via distance education, click HERE.

For additional assistance and resources for completing the application, please refer to the following documents:​​






Sample Required School Documents


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