Washington Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board
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1: Important Agency Information to Note
The Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board establishes procedures for the licensing and regulation of private vocational schools to protect students against false, deceptive, misleading, or unfair practices and to help ensure adequate educational quality at private vocational schools.
2: Types of Educational Providers Authorized
_____ 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
____ 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.
3: Accreditation
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.
No response provided
Accreditation 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: Exemptions
Yes, RCW 28C.10.030: his chapter does not apply to:
(1) Bona fide trade, business, professional, or fraternal organizations conducting educational programs primarily for that organization's membership or offered by that organization on a no-fee basis;
(2) Entities offering education that is exclusively avocational or recreational;
(3) Education not requiring payment of money or other consideration if this education is not advertised or promoted as leading toward educational credentials;
(4) Entities that are established, operated, and governed by this state or its political subdivisions under Title 28A or 28B RCW or this title;
(5) Degree-granting programs in compliance with the rules of the student achievement council;
(6) Any other entity to the extent that it has been exempted from some or all of the provisions of this chapter under RCW 28C.10.100;
(7) Entities not otherwise exempt that are of a religious character, but only as to those educational programs exclusively devoted to religious or theological objectives and represented accurately in institutional catalogs or other official publications;
(8) Entities offering only courses certified by the federal aviation administration;
(9) Barber and cosmetology schools licensed under chapter 18.16 RCW;
(10) Entities which only offer courses approved to meet the continuing education requirements for licensure under chapter 18.04, 18.79, or 48.17 RCW; and
(11) Entities not otherwise exempt offering only workshops or seminars lasting no longer than three calendar days.
- Avocational or recreational
- Workshops or seminars lasting less than 3 calendar days
- Business to business training
- Training free of charge
- Review programs for test preparation
No response provided
5: Authorization of Distance Education
Yes, if an out of state school is advertising directly to Washington State students, they are required to be licensed.
Yes. 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.
Yes, if the training is advertised to Washington State students and is teaching a vocational career, they are required to be licensed, regardless of physical presence or not.
No response provided
6: 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.
Agencies definition of physical presence above.
7: Student Complaints - SARA Participating Institutions
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.
The Workforce Board does not handle student complaints with SARA approved schools. The Washington State Student Achievement Council is the agency tasked with this duty.
Contact Name: Sam Loftin
Title: Director of Consumer Protection
Agency: WSAC
Address: 917 Lakeridge Way SW Olympia, WA 98504
Email: SamL@wsac.wa.gov
Phone: 360-485-1078
URL:
No response provided
8: 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.
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.
Yes
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:
No response provided
9: 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
No response provided
10: 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.
No response provided
11: 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
12: 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)
No response provided
13: Enforcement
A school can be placed in an “at risk” status, or possibly have school license suspended or revoked.
No response provided
14: 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.
No response provided
15: 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 |
|
$1,000,001 - $2,500,000 |
$2,000 |
|
$2,500,001+ |
$2,500 |
Other fees:
|
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 |
No response provided
16: 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/
No response provided
17: Additional Information
No response provided