Any school, business, training provider, or organization seeking to teach, instruct, or train Missouri students must be certified or show that they qualify for an exemption. The criteria for exemption are established in Missouri law, and are included in the Exemption Application Guide below. Any applicants who do not meet the criteria for exemption must apply for Proprietary School Certification. This includes out-of-state entities seeking to recruit Missouri students.
Application Process Overview
Note: Before you apply, you must register your school as a business with the Secretary of State and confirm you are tax compliant with the Department of Revenue.
Application Fees
To submit your application, you will be required to pay an application fee to the Office of Postsecondary Policy. The total cost will depend on the type of application and the nature of your request.
| Certification Application | $660 |
| Exemption Application | $100 |
| Branch Campus Application | $500 |
| Extension Site Application | $100 |
Information for Out-of-State Institutions
If your school, training program, or organization provides postsecondary education and/or training and you plan to recruit, enroll, or train Missouri residents, you are required to complete the Proprietary School Certification process. You must qualify for certification or exemption prior to offering services to students in Missouri.
The Proprietary School Certification process for out-of-state institutions varies based on whether or not there is a presence in Missouri:
If you have a presence in Missouri, you must complete an application for certification or exemption and indicate you are an out-of-state school. Presence is defined as any of the following:
- Purchasing Missouri-based television, radio, podcast, or social media advertisements
- Purchasing telephone or email marketing through a Missouri business
- Purchasing flyers, brochures, or pamphlets distributed by or to Missouri businesses
- Purchasing or leasing property or utilities in Missouri to support teaching, recruiting, enrolling, or advertising and marketing
- Signing agreements, contracts, or memorandums of understanding with Missouri businesses for student recruitment or enrollment referral
- Signing agreements, contracts, or memorandums of understanding with Missouri businesses for internships, clinical placement, or other student services
- Conducting live, in-person classroom education or training within the geographical boundaries of Missouri
- Employing or contracting a recruiter who resides in Missouri or has established a physical presence in Missouri
If you do not have a presence in Missouri, you should contact PropCompliance@dhewd.mo.gov for specific help and guidance.
Certification Resources
- Initial Application Guide
- Certification Checklist
- Certification Templates
- Certification FAQs
- Certification Application Overview Video