Required Board Approvals and Submission Items
Branch Facility
A licensed school must receive approval from the Board prior to opening a branch facility.
A branch facility may be approved for a licensed school when all the following occur:
(1) The branch has the same ownership, management, or control as that of the licensed school.
(2) The curriculum offered at the branch is substantially the same as the licensed school.
(3) The number of tuition-paid students enrolled at the branch does not exceed 50 per class.
(4) The branch is administratively an integral part of the licensed school.
(5) The licensed school has been operational for two years prior to requesting approval.
(6) The licensed school is in good standing with the board.
(7) Geographical limitations – The branch is in a county contiguous to the licensed school or within less than a 60-mile radius of the licensed school.
No additional license fees or surety is required.
To request approval for a branch facility, please submit the following:
- Certificate of Occupancy
- Facility floor plan, with classroom measurements indicated, along with reference to major equipment and facility amenities.
- If exterior space(s) will be used for instruction, an outdoor space plan, with measurements indicated, along with reference to any obstructions, limitations, and throughways.
- Surety amendment to include the address of the proposed facility.
- $750 site visit fee
Branch location requests, including documents and fees, should be submitted as soon as possible. When all requirements have been met, Board staff will place the request on the Board’s next possible meeting agenda for consideration. Tentative staff approval cannot be provided.
Remote Location/Facility
A licensed school must receive approval from the Board to utilize a remote location or facility.
A remote location or facility may be approved for a licensed school when all the following occur:
- The facility is at a location different from the licensed school.
- The facility will be used for the teaching of practical application of theoretical instruction (lab); such as a driving range, kitchen facilities, clinicals, etc.
No additional license fees or surety is required.
To request approval for a remote location or facility, please submit the following:
- Certificate of Occupancy (or Zoning Permit for exterior space)
- Facility floor plan, with classroom measurements indicated, along with reference to major equipment and facility amenities.
- If exterior space(s) will be used for instruction, an outdoor space plan, with measurements indicated, along with reference to any obstructions, limitations, and throughways.
- A written agreement,
signed by the required parties, describing the terms of the remote training
facility arrangement.
- Surety amendment to include the address of the proposed facility.
- $750 site visit fee
Remote location requests, including documents and fees, should be submitted as soon as possible. When all requirements have been met, Board staff may give tentative approval subject to confirmation by the Board at the next possible meeting.
Change in Location / Temporary Relocation*
A licensed school must receive approval from the Board for a change in location.
A change in location may be approved for a licensed school when all the following occur:
- Board staff is notified at least 30 days prior to the anticipated move date.
- The requirements of 22 Pa. Code § 73.92 are met.
No additional license fees or surety is required.
To request approval for a change in location please submit the following:
- Certificate of Occupancy
- Facility floor plan, with classroom measurements indicated, along with reference to major equipment and facility amenities.
- If exterior space(s) will be used for instruction, an outdoor space plan, with measurements indicated, along with reference to any obstructions, limitations, and throughways.
- Surety amendment to revise the address of the proposed facility.
- $750 site visit fee
Change in location requests, including documents and fees, should be submitted as soon as possible (at least 30 days prior to the anticipated move date). When all requirements have been met, Board staff may give tentative approval subject to confirmation by the Board at the next possible meeting.
* Temporary relocation. If an emergency occurs which requires the temporary abandonment of an approved facility, the school shall notify Board staff within 3 days of the event. If the school elects to resume operations in a temporary facility, Board staff may grant a tentative approval subject to confirmation by the Board at the next possible meeting. Except for the 30-day notice requirement, all other change in location requirements must be met.
Facility Expansion
A licensed school must receive approval from the Board to utilize expanded space.
An expansion may be approved for a licensed school when the following occurs:
No additional license fees or surety is required.
To request approval for an expansion, please submit the following:
- Certificate of Occupancy
- Facility floor plan, with classroom measurements indicated, along with reference to major equipment and facility amenities.
- If exterior space(s) will be used for instruction, an outdoor space plan, with measurements indicated, along with reference to any obstructions, limitations, and throughways.
- Surety amendment to include the address of the proposed space, if the additional space will require a different suite number, floor number, etc.
- $750 site visit fee
Expansion requests, including documents and fees, should be submitted as soon as possible (at least 7 days prior to utilizing the space). When all requirements have been met, Board staff may give tentative approval subject to confirmation by the Board at the next possible meeting.
School Name Change / Alternate Name
A licensed school must receive approval from the Board prior to changing the name of the school or utilizing a proposed alternate school name.
A change in the name of a school, or a request for an alternate school name, may be approved for a licensed school when all the following occur:
- The Board ensures the chosen name does not appear to be misleading regarding the nature or scope of the school.
- The Board ensures the chosen name does not include the words ‘college’ or ‘university’.
No additional license fees or surety is required.
To request approval for a school name change, or the addition of an alternate school name, please submit the following:
- A letter requesting approval of the name, along with clarification of the intended use of the name.
- Fictitious Name Registration with the PA Department of State
- Surety amendment to include the proposed school name.
School name changes and requests for additional alternate names, including the required documents, should be submitted as soon as possible. When all requirements have been met, Board staff will place the request on the Board’s next possible meeting agenda for consideration. Tentative staff approval cannot be provided.
Ownership Change
A licensed/registered school must receive approval from the Board to change the ownership of a school.
A change in school ownership may be approved for a licensed school when all the following occur:
- The faculty, student body, programs, and location of the school remain essentially the same.
- The Board is notified within 14 calendar days after the consummation of the sale.
To request approval for a change of ownership please submit the following:
- Application for Change of Ownership form
- The names and addresses of the new owners.
- For a closed corporation this includes shareholders owning 5% or more of the outstanding stock whether the ownership is real or beneficial.
- For a publicly traded corporation this includes the three primary corporate officers.
- For a partnership or proprietorship this includes the owners.
- An income statement and balance sheet for the buyer. Financial statements for the buyer should be reviewed, compiled, or audited.
- A post-acquisition financial statement for the school on the Board’s PDE-2006 form.
- A signed statement assuring completion of contracts with existing students.
- Evidence of surety in accordance with 22 Pa. Code § 73.54 in the name of the new owner.
- Evidence that a bona fide sales transaction has taken place: send a copy of the legally binding document between buyer and seller which was executed at closing.
- An FBI Criminal Background Check, a PA State Police Criminal History Record, and a Credit Report for each owner.
- Certificate of Incorporation and Articles of Incorporation, if applicable.
- Fictitious name registration, if applicable.
- A disposition of student records statement.
- A Reasonable Service and Business Ethics Statement executed by the new owner.
- $5,000 change of ownership fee
- PDE-340 Director Qualifications, for the school’s Director and at least one Acting Director (note: at least one Director/Acting Director must be on campus while the school is operating at all times)
Change of ownership requests should be submitted as soon as possible (at least within 14 calendar days of the sale). When all requirements have been met, Board staff will place the request on the Board’s next possible meeting agenda for consideration. Tentative staff approval cannot be provided.
Scholarships
A licensed/registered school must receive approval from the Board prior to advertising and awarding scholarships.
See Board Policy Memo #99 for the Board’s scholarship policy and application requirements.
Tentative staff approval cannot be provided.