Washington Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board
Agency Contact
Additional Contact
Secretary of State Contact
1: Important Agency Information to Note
Indicate the types of institutions that your agency authorizes.
- Note: Some agencies may refer to out-of-state public institutions as “private colleges” in their law. If this is the case for your agency, please select “public, out-of-state degree granting institutions” for purposes of this Guide so that the out-of-state public institution will find appropriate information.
- Note: If your agency is a coordinating board, your agency may have one division with some authority such as program approval over in-state public institutions that are established per statute, which is structured differently than another division of your agency with state authorization authority over non-public institutions that they “license” pursuant to different statute(s).
_____ Public, in-state degree granting institutions
_____ Public, out-of-state degree granting institutions
_____ Private, in-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions
_____ Private, out-of-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions
_____ Private, in-state, for-profit degree granting institutions
_____ Private, out-of-state, for-profit degree granting institutions
_____ Public, in-state, non-degree granting institutions
_____ Public, out-of-state, non-degree granting institutions
__X__ Non-degree, not-for profit institutions
__X__ Non-degree, for-profit institutions
_____ Religious institutions
_____ Tribally-controlled institutions
_____ Federal Institutions
_____ Municipal institutions
- For example, an agency may require an institution apply for licensure for institutional approval and also require the institution to apply for specific program(s) approval.
_____ Institution
_____ Program
__X__ Both
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. The Workforce Board both licenses and approves both institutions and programs being offered at a cost to the general public, that are teaching a vocational career and are longer than 3 calendar days.
2: Authorization of Distance Education
- Meaning as example, the state regulates an out-of-state institution for merely enrolling a student into a distance education program
- Meaning as example, a solely online program that does not have any internships and practicums
Yes, if an out of state school is advertising directly to Washington State students, they are required to be licensed.
WAC 490-105-030: Definitions. "Physical presence" includes, but is not limited to, maintaining a mailing address within the state of Washington, the presence of a facility or equipment; the presence of electronic, paper, and other types of records; the presence of a speaking agent, manager, resident director, or similar administrator; the presence of direct advertising and marketing to Washington residents or field placements, including externships, clinicals, or practica as part of an educational program and taking place within the state of Washington.
3: Accreditation by an Accrediting Agency Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
No, accreditation is voluntary.
“Accreditation" is a status granted to a school by one or more of the accrediting organizations recognized and approved by the U.S. Secretary of Education. Accreditation is voluntary and does not imply automatic transfer of credits from one institution to another.
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Accreditation by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education required for:
____ Public, out-of-state degree granting institutions
____ Private, in-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions
____ Private, out-of-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions
____ Private, in-state, for-profit degree granting institutions
____ Private, out-of-state, for-profit degree granting institutions
____ Public, in-state, non-degree granting institutions
____ Public, out-of-state, non-degree granting institutions
____ Non-degree, not-for profit institutions
____ Non-degree, for-profit institutions
____ Religious institutions
____ Tribally-controlled institutions
____ Federal Institutions
____ Municipal institutions
The Workforce Board only oversees non-degree granting private institutions operating within Washington State, as well as out-of-state private institutions and schools that establish a “physical presence” within Washington. WAC 490-105-030: Definitions. "Physical presence" includes, but is not limited to, maintaining a mailing address within the state of Washington, the presence of a facility or equipment; the presence of electronic, paper, and other types of records; the presence of a speaking agent, manager, resident director, or similar administrator; the presence of direct advertising and marketing to Washington residents or field placements, including externships, clinicals, or practica as part of an educational program and taking place within the state of Washington.
4: Physical Presence Policy
"Physical presence" includes, but is not limited to, maintaining a mailing address within the state of Washington, the presence of a facility or equipment; the presence of electronic, paper, and other types of records; the presence of a speaking agent, manager, resident director, or similar administrator; the presence of direct advertising and marketing to Washington residents or field placements, including externships, clinicals, or practica as part of an educational program and taking place within the state of Washington.
Does a virtual clinical / internship trigger the requirement for authorization with your agency?
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5: Application Process
An entity wishing to operate a private vocational school must apply for a license according to instructions provided by the agency. If the agency determines an application is deficient, the applicant will be notified. The applicant must correct the deficiencies within thirty days of notification. If that fails to occur, the application may be returned to the applicant. The license application fee will not be refunded. The agency's executive director or designee may deny a license application for just cause.
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6: Fees Associated with Authorization
Yes
|
If the school's total annual tuition income is: |
Its Annual License Fee is: |
|
$0 - $25,000 |
$250 |
|
$25,001 - $50,000 |
$500 |
|
$50,001 - $100,000 |
$600 |
|
$100,001 - $250,000 |
$750 |
|
$250,001 - $500,000 |
$1,000 |
|
$500,001 - $1,000,000 |
$1,500 |
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$1,000,001 - $2,500,000 |
$2,000 |
|
$2,500,001+ |
$2,500 |
Other fees:
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Sales Agents representing out-of-state schools |
$120 annually per agent |
|
Late filing of renewal application |
$25 per day to a maximum of 30 calendar days |
|
Auxiliary location certificate, reissuance of license/auxiliary certificate, change of school name or location |
$25 |
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7: Surety Bonds
WSAC may require any degree-granting institution to have an approved surety bond or other security in lieu of a bond in an amount determined by the council.
The Workforce Board requires a deposit into the Tuition Recovery Trust fund prior to license approval of non-degree granting institutions.
WSAC Surety Bonds - https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28B.85.070
WTB Tuition Recovery Trust Fund - https://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=490-105-080
https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28C.10.082
https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28C.10.084
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8: Student Tuition Recovery Fund
Yes. It is for non-degree private career schools operating within the state of Washington.
All approved and licensed schools.
Refer to WAC 490-105-080 for TRTF fees. https://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=490-105-080
9: Tuition Refund Policy
Yes, WAC 490-105-130. https://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=490-105-130
All intuitions licensed under the Private Vocational School Act.
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10: Reporting
WAC 490-105-060: each school must submit the following information annually for each student who participated in training during the reporting period:
(1) Student name, address, telephone number and Social Security number if provided by the student;
(2) Start date of training and date of completion or dropout;
(3) Enrollment status as of the end of the reporting period;
(4) Previous education before starting the current training program;
(5) Race;
(6) Date of birth;
(7) Gender;
(9) Hispanic/non-Hispanic
(8) Disability status;
(10) Program title and duration (in months);
(11) Veteran status;
(12) Grade point average (GPA) or pass/fail;
(13) If complete, what credential earned;
(14) Any other information that the agency deems appropriate.
Annually
Yes, on Career Bridge under performance results if the school is an approved Eligible Training Provide (ETP)
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11: Enforcement
A school can be placed in an “at risk” status, or possibly have school license suspended or revoked.
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12: Student Complaints - Non-SARA Participating Institutions
If the Workforce Board accepts your complaint, we will forward it to the school for a response. The school has 15 working days to either resolve the complaint directly with you, or send the agency a written response. After receiving the school’s response, we will conduct an investigation and try to reach a negotiated agreement between you and the school. If an agreement is reached, we will confirm the solution in writing and close the matter. If not, we will issue a determination that will be sent to you and the school.
Refunds and Restitution
If the school is ordered by our agency to make a refund, pay restitution, or make other arrangements, (such as additional class time or placement assistance), the school must document how it has complied. In some cases, the Workforce Board may also take separate disciplinary action against the school.
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Complaints are handled by the licensing agency. WSAC oversees public, private and technical degree granting, while the Workforce Board oversees private and technical, non-degree granting complaints.
Contact Name: Darlene Bartlett
Title: Director of Consumer Protection
Agency: Workforce Board
Address: 128 10th Avenue SE Olympia, WA 98501
Email: Darlene.bartlett@wtb.wa.gov
Phone: 360.709.4605
URL:
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13: Records Retention
The school makes the decision to hold on to the transcripts, or return them to the Workforce Board. Transcripts are maintained for 50 years following the completion date.
Agency Name: Workforce Board
Contact Person: Barbara Mix
Contact Phone: 360-709-4611
Contact Address: 128 10th Ave SE Olympia, WA 98501
Contact Email: barbara.mix@wtb.wa.gov
Contact website: https://www.wtb.wa.gov/contact-us/closed-school-transcripts/
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14: Additional Information
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Please note: There could be additional state agencies with oversight of activities of your institution.