Proprietary School Certification FAQs

General FAQs

What is Proprietary School Certification?

Any school, business, training provider, or organization offering postsecondary education and/or training must be certified or qualify for an exemption to legally advertise, market, recruit, enroll, teach, or train students in Missouri. This is called Proprietary School Certification. Businesses that receive a certificate through this process are known as proprietary schools, regardless of the business structure or accreditation status.

Why is Proprietary School Certification required?

Proprietary school certification provides protection for students, ensuring that they are treated fairly, receive education and training consistent with the school’s objectives, and that training providers are operating under certain standards.

Why do I need to complete the Proprietary School Certification process?

Any school, business, training program, or organization offering postsecondary education and/or training must be certified or qualify for an exemption to legally advertise, market, recruit, enroll, teach, or train students in Missouri. Operating without certification or exemption from the department is against the law and can result in fines or other penalties.

Unless otherwise noted in the Exemption Application Guide, you must apply for certification or exemption with the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development and receive a determination prior to offering students instruction or training.

What operations or activities are prohibited without certification or exemption?

Any school, business, training provider, or organization that is not certified or exempt is prohibited from operating in Missouri. Prohibited operations and activities include:

Entering into any signed contract or agreement for enrollment in any course or program of instruction between the school or any agent acting on behalf of the school and any potential or prospective student
Receiving any financial payment or promise of payment from or on behalf of any potential or prospective student
Announcing, advertising, or otherwise conveying the beginning of classes or instruction or any date for the opening of the school, or otherwise soliciting students for enrollment
Commencing any instructional activity
Making any claim or reference to having an approved, certified, or pending applicant status with the Coordinating Board for Higher Education, Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, or the State of Missouri
Giving, awarding, or granting any certificates or degrees

What is the difference between certification and accreditation?

Certification is required for anyone seeking to advertise to, recruit, enroll, and instruct members of the public, except those qualified for exemption.

Accreditation is handled by national organizations recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, such as the Higher Learning Commission. Please note that unaccredited schools seeking certification are not allowed to use the words “college” or “university” in their names.

What is the Office of Postsecondary Policy?

The Office of Postsecondary Policy (OPP) is an office within the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development that protects Missouri students through its regulatory authority. OPP is the office responsible for certifying schools, non-traditional postsecondary education providers, and work-based learning employer partners to operate in Missouri and ensuring equitable access and outcomes across postsecondary education options through policy and performance measurement and reporting.

Will the Office of Postsecondary Policy conduct on-site visits?

Yes, the Office of Postsecondary Policy may conduct on-site visits.

What is the Office of Workforce Development?

The Office of Workforce Development (OWD) is an office within the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development that helps Missourians find career opportunities and improves the state of Missouri’s workforce.

OWD may refer postsecondary intuitions, organizations, businesses, and training providers interested in becoming an Eligible Training Provider to the Office of Postsecondary Policy to complete the proprietary school certification or exemption process.

Do I need to be certified or exempt to register on the Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) and enroll Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) eligible Missouri students?

Yes. To receive WIOA funding and register on the ETPL, any business with an established presence in Missouri must be certified or granted exemption through the Proprietary School Certification program.

Where can I go for legal counsel or consulting services?

If you need legal help, you may consider consulting with legal counsel or a business consultant familiar with Missouri’s private school certification and exemption processes or a legal understanding of postsecondary education and training in general to assist in navigating relevant Missouri laws and regulations and to provide advice on what is or is not beneficial for the business’s interests.

Will my business or our programs be registered or advertised on a website administered or monitored by the state of Missouri?

Yes. Proprietary schools and their programs will be listed on the Missouri College and Degree Search, which is accessible to all Missouri students.

What happens if a proprietary school needs to close?

If you have completed the certification or exemption process and your school, business, training provider, or organization plans to close, you must report this to the Office of Postsecondary Policy (OPP). To report a school closure, please log into EDvera and submit a “Closing School Report.” OPP will contact you with any necessary additional steps after the report has been submitted.

Do I need to report if my school’s location is changing?

Yes. To report a change in the location of a campus, please log in to EDvera and submit a “Location, Name, Ownership Change Application.” The Office of Postsecondary Policy will contact you with any necessary additional steps after the report has been submitted.

Can I enroll students eligible for the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant?

Yes, but only if your school has completed the Proprietary School Certification or exemption process. More information about the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant is available on the MDHEWD website.

The programs my business will be offering have already been approved by the U.S. Department of Labor as registered apprenticeship programs. Do I still need to complete the Proprietary School Certification or exemption process?

Training providers and sponsors offering apprenticeship programs that are approved by and registered with the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) on or after January 1, 2026 may be eligible for exemption. For more information, please see the Exemption Application Guide.

If you believe your school, business, training program, or organization meets the requirements of a Registered Apprenticeship exemption, contact PropCompliance@dhewd.mo.gov for specific instructions.

Is certification or exemption required if the business, training provider, or organization is contracted with a public or private institution or training agency that is already authorized to operate?

No, as long as the authorized institution is issuing the certificate or degree and the students your business is recruiting, enrolling, and instructing are only students already enrolled at the authorized institution you have contracted with.

I would like to offer more programs than I originally included in my application. Is this allowed?

Yes; however, you must receive approval from the department. To add a new program, you must log in to EDvera and submit a “New Program Application” for review and approval. You will also be required to pay a $500 application fee.

I need to hire more administrative or instructional personnel. Is this allowed?

Yes; however, you must receive approval from the department. To add new personnel, you must log in to EDvera and submit either a “New Administrative Personnel” or “New Instructor” application for review and approval. There is no fee associated with either application.

How do I become certified to operate a CNA school?

Healthcare training is a highly regulated industry, overseen by the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services (DHSS). Please refer to Proprietary School Certification for CNA/CMT/L1MA for more information.

Certification FAQs

What is required before applying to become a certified proprietary school?

In order to apply for certification, the school, business, organization, or training provider must first register as a business with the Missouri Secretary of State. They must also register with the Missouri Department of Revenue and ensure that they are tax compliant.

How do I apply?

To apply, you must first complete the Proprietary School Certification Survey . This tool gathers basic information about your institution and helps determine if you may be eligible for exemption.

Anyone interested in the Proprietary School Certification process will be asked to complete the survey and submit the required form at the end of the survey. Once completed, the Office of Postsecondary Policy will reach out within a few business days with next steps and more information about how to apply.

Is there an application fee?

Yes. The initial application fee to apply for certification as a proprietary school in Missouri is $660. The department will not be able to review your application until the application fee is paid. Instructions on how to pay the fee will be provided by email after your application has been submitted.

How much is the security deposit?

Once an application is approved, a security deposit must be collected before certification can be issued. The cost of the security deposit will vary. The deposit will be equivalent to 10 percent of the expected revenue from tuition during the applicant's first year of operation, with a minimum of $5,000 and a maximum of $100,000.

You should not attempt to establish a security deposit until after the department provides you with the necessary forms to establish the security deposit with a credible financial institution.

How can my institution establish a security deposit?

Security deposits must be submitted on forms provided by the department can be established in the form of a:

Performance surety bond
Certificate of deposit
Letter of irrevocable credit

Security deposits cannot be paid with a credit card. The department will only accept a security deposit from an insurance company, credit union, or bank licensed to sell such products and services by the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance.

What information and documents will be required to apply for certification?

The Certification Application Checklist provides a detailed list of the documents you will need to complete the application.

How long does it take for an application to be approved?

The department must review all information and documents provided to make a determination. Due to the thorough nature of this review, this may take several months to complete. You will be notified when the review of your application begins.

Can I operate a school while my application is pending?

No. Operating, advertising, recruiting, enrolling, and instructing without certification or exemption is illegal and may result in fines or other penalties.

My school or business wants to open more than one location. Do I need to submit more than one application and, if so, how?

Yes. You'll need to submit a “New Location Application” for every campus location. You will need to indicate if a location is a main campus or branch campus and provide specific documentation for each type of application. More information can be found in the Initial Application Guide.

What is a Program Syllabus and why is it required?

The program syllabus details exactly what training paths prospective students can enroll in. This document is intended to be exhaustive of all programs offered at the institution, must be consistent with details provided in the application, and include specific information for each program.

The department has developed a Program Syllabus Template to offer additional guidance. We encourage you to use this free resource to help you successfully complete this document.

I’m struggling with the required exhibits. Where can I find help?

The Exhibits section requires the submission of three important documents: the Course Catalog, Enrollment Agreement, and Official Transcript. Each document must meet specific standards of compliance in order for an application to be considered.

To help you successfully complete these documents, the department has developed templates for each of the required exhibits:

The Course Catalog is the most rejected item in the certification application process. Please make sure the information provided in your Course Catalog is consistent with the information throughout the rest of the application. If your Course Catalog is not completed properly, your application review will take longer and may not be approved.

What timeframe should I use when submitting financial statements?

Please use the school, business, or organization’s most recent fiscal quarter to report this information. Examples include:

July 1 - Sept. 30
Jan. 1 - March 31

Audit reports are an exception to this rule. The Office of Postsecondary Policy will accept an audit report from the most recently completed fiscal year's audit.

What timeframe should I use when estimating income, expenses, and expenditures?

Please use the school, business, or organization's fiscal year to estimate this information, and report based on the fiscal year that the business intends to operate on. Examples include:

July 1 - June 30
Jan. 1 - Dec. 31

Do I need to notify the department if anything changes after I apply?

Yes. Institutions whose Initial Application for Certification have not yet been approved should make changes to their application by emailing PropCompliance@dhewd.mo.gov to have the pending application reverted for editing.

What is a substantive change?

Some program changes are considered substantive, meaning that the change could impact the nature of the program. These changes can only be reported through EDvera and often incur a fee. Examples include:

Change of location, name, or ownership
- Use Location, Name, or Ownership Change Application
- Fee: $100
Program Revision (changes in curriculum or teaching method)
- Use Program Change Application
- Fee: $250

What is a non-substantive change?

Some program changes are considered non-substantive, meaning that the change has little to no impact on the nature of the program. These changes can be reported at no cost by submitting a Non-Substantive Program Change Application. Examples include:

Program Name
CIP Code
Tuition & Fees
Books & Supplies
Teach out plans (ex. program discontinuation or school closure)

What happens if I do not report a change or try to make an authorized change to my information?

Failing to report a change and making unauthorized changes can lead to serious consequences, including probation, suspension of operations, revocation of the certificate to operate, and a formal violation notice on record that may be shared with other agencies.

Exemption FAQs

What is exemption?

Exemption status is an acknowledgement that a business is not required to undergo the certification process to become licensed to operate and is therefore not bound by the laws and regulations that govern licensure. Exemption is not an authorization to operate and does not represent any type of approval or endorsement towards the quality of a business nor towards the value or effectiveness of the programs it provides to students.

Who qualifies for an exemption?

In Missouri, there are three main exemption categories:

Licensed Exemptions
Statutory Exemptions
Coordinating Board for Higher Education (CBHE) Exemptions

For more information about the exemption categories and qualification requirements, please refer to RSMo 173.616. The Exemption Application Guide also offers more information about who may qualify for exemption and how to apply.

Is there an exemption application fee?

Yes. The application fee for exemption is $100. Instructions on how to pay the fee will be provided by email after an application is submitted.

Is it required to apply for exemption?

Unless otherwise noted in the Exemption Application Guide, you must complete an exemption application. Exemption is not automatic. To be considered for exemption in Missouri, you must submit an exemption application to the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development for review.

Does a school or business need to renew its exemption?

Yes. If you are required to complete an exemption application, you will need to renew your exemption every five years for your school or business to remain exempt from certification requirements.

What information and documents will be required to apply?

The Exemption Application Guide provides a detailed list of the documents you will need to complete the application.

Can I operate a school while my application is pending?

No. Operating without certification or exemption is illegal and may result in fines or other penalties.

I received an Exemption Acknowledgement Letter. Can the Office of Postsecondary Policy issue an endorsement or recognition letter so we can qualify for another state or federal program?

No. Exemption is not an authorization to operate and does not represent any type of approval or endorsement towards the quality of a school or training provider, nor towards the value or effectiveness of the programs they provide to students. Schools and training providers who receive exemption status are prohibited from advertising it as a form of accreditation, approval, authorization, certification, endorsement, licensure, or recognition from the Office of Postsecondary Policy, the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education, the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, or the State of Missouri on all publications, including those on paper and online.

Do SARA Participating institutions need to fill out an exemption application?

No, you do not need to fill out an exemption application if you are an approved SARA Participating Institution; however, you must stay up to date on your SARA requirements and renewals in order to continue to provide instruction without completing the Proprietary School Certification process.

Do I need to notify the department if anything changes after I apply?

Exemption status requires schools and training providers to report critical changes to the department such as a change in the name, location, school contact information, or operational changes that could impact providers’ category of exemption. These changes should be reported immediately.

Recertification FAQs

Once approved, how often do I need to complete a recertification application?

To maintain certification to operate in Missouri, proprietary schools are required to submit a recertification application every calendar year.

When should I recertify?

The recertification application opens each year in January and must be completed by March 15 to avoid late fees and by June 30 to avoid expiration of certified status.

How do I recertify?

The department will notify you once the recertification period begins each year. This notification will include instructions on how to complete your recertification application.

For a complete overview of the recertification process, please review the Recertification Application Guide.

Is there a recertification application fee?

Yes. This recertifcication application fee will vary based on the school’s net income from tuition and fees, with a minimum fee of $660 and a maximum of $6,600. Do not try to submit this payment until requested by the department.

Can I still complete my recertification application after the March 15 deadline?

Yes; however, you must still submit your application by June 30 and you will be required to pay a late fee in addition to your application fee.

What information and documents will be required to apply?

The Recertification Application Checklist provides a detailed list of the documents you will need to complete the application.

What if my school or business is closing?

You must notify the department if your school, business, training agency, or organization has closed or will be closing before June 30th. To report a closure, sign in to EDvera and submit a “Closing School Report.” If it will not close until after June 30th, you must still complete the recertification process.

What happens if I do not complete my recertification?

If you complete your recertification application after the March 15 deadline, there will be a late fee of $10 per weekday (excluding holidays) until the application is received.

Failure to submit a recertification application by June 30 will result in your certification being revoked. Continuing to operate after the previously issued Certificate to Operate has expired or has been revoked is against the law and may result in fines or other penalties.

When I login in to complete my recertification application, the information for my institution is incorrect. What should I do?

If any of the information listed in EDvera is incorrect, please refer to the Recertification Application Guide for instructions.

Out of State FAQs

Do I need to completed the Proprietary School Certification process if my school, business, training provider, or organization is based outside of Missouri?

If you have a physical presence in Missouri and you are recruiting or enrolling Missouri students, you must complete the Proprietary School Certification process.

What does “physical presence in Missouri” mean?

Any of the following activities qualify as having a physical presence in Missouri:

Purchasing Missouri-based television/radio/podcast/social media advertisements
Purchasing telephone or email marketing through Missouri businesses
Purchasing flyers, brochures, pamphlets distributed by or from 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/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

How do I begin the Proprietary School Certification process?

The first step is to complete the Proprietary School Certification Survey. This tool gathers basic information about your institution and helps the department advise you on your next steps. If you are required to become certified or exempt, the department will offer additional information and details about how you can apply.

What specific information do I need to provide on the application?

You are only required to provide student and business financial information related to Missouri students and operations on the application.

The department determined I do not need to complete the Proprietary School Certification Process. Does this mean Missouri approves or authorizes the institution?

No. This simply means that you do not have a physical presence in Missouri. The department will not issue any type of approval, authorization, exemption, permission, or any other form of recognition.

The only statement you are permitted to use online and in print communications and publications is: “Based on information provided to the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development on [insert date], [insert name of institution] has been determined to have no presence in the state of Missouri and therefore holds no recognition from the state.”

My institution is not recruiting, enrolling, or instructing in Missouri; however, students may be attending clinicals, internships, or externships in Missouri. Does that qualify as a “physical presence?”

It depends.

If a student is permitted to choose any relevant Missouri business for their internship, externship, or clinical placement that then requires your institution to form an agreement/contract/memorandum of understanding with that Missouri business, then your school is not considered to have presence in Missouri and does not have to go through the Proprietary School Certification process in Missouri.

If a student will conduct an internship, externship, or clinical placement at a Missouri business that the institution has a pre-established agreement/contract/memorandum of understanding with, then that constitutes a presence in Missouri, and you must go through the Proprietary School Certification process in Missouri.

What if I am a participating member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity (SARA) Agreements?

You do not need to complete the Proprietary School Certification process if you are an approved SARA Participating Institution; however, you must stay up to date on your SARA requirements and renewals.

If you fail to maintain your SARA requirements and renewals, you will be required to complete the Proprietary School Certification process to continue to provide instruction.