Division of Occupational Licensure (DOL) occupational school regulations
Please follow the steps below to determine whether you need to be licensed and whether you are financially eligible to apply for licensure before applying to DOL.
Before completing an application, please review the Department’s regulations, set forth at 230 CMR 12.00-17.00; a copy can also be ordered online through the Secretary of State’s office.
How to apply and application fees
Application Fees
Please note that all applicants must pay a non-refundable application fee. The for-profit school fee is $2,500 and the non-profit school fee is $1,250. You can pay this fee online at the end of the online application process, either by check or credit card.
Application Review Policy
If you submit to DOL an application for an occupational school license and DOL determines that your application is incomplete or that you do not meet the requirements for licensure, DOL will notify you in writing of the application’s deficiencies and give you nine (9) months to complete the application and meet the regulatory requirements. After nine months, if your application remains incomplete or you have not demonstrated that you meet the requirements for licensure, DOL will notify you in writing that your application will be closed or denied and will give you an additional 30 days to respond. If after the additional 30 days you still have not demonstrated you meet the requirements for licensure, then your application will be closed or denied. After that time, to obtain a license as an occupational school, you must submit a new application to DOL and pay a new application fee.
Read all steps carefully before starting your application.
Step 1: Private Occupational School Licensure Determination Form Please complete and submit a License Determination request to see whether you need to apply for a license.
- Proceed to Step 2 after you receive a determination from DOL that you must apply for an occupational school license.
Step 2: If DOL determines you must be licensed, please request a new applicant financial application for an occupational school at Email the Office of the State Auditor (OSA). Submit your completed form to OSA to determine financial eligibility and the amount of surety to be held.
- Proceed to Step 3 after you receive a determination from OSA that you are financially qualified to apply to DOL for an occupational school license.
Step 3: Create an ePLACE account, if you don't have one. To apply and pay for your license online, you will first need to create an ePLACE account. See DOL’s Register for an ePLACE Account webpage for details.
Step 4: Contact other agencies as necessary. If you plan to offer any program that is also overseen by other state or federal agencies, contact those agencies for required approvals.
Examples of Programs:
- Nurse Aide: Contact the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) Nurse Aide Registry to complete their separate application process for Nurse Aide or Nursing Assistant Training (NAT) programs. See the Technical Assistance Handout specific to prospective NAT schools.
- Massage Therapy: Read the memo regarding the Licensure and Oversight of Private Occupational Massage Therapy Schools if you plan to operate a massage therapy program
- Practical Nursing: To offer a Practical Nursing (PN) program, you must be licensed by the Division of Occupational Licensure (DOL) and be accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-approved accrediting agency. The program must also be approved by the Department of Public Health’s Board of Registration for Nursing.
- Dental Assisting: If you plan to offer a dental assisting program, you must review requirements to register as a dental assistant in Massachusetts through the Board of Registration in Dentistry. DOL will work with you and the board to obtain required program approvals.
- Commercial Driving: If you plan to offer a professional driving program Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), CDL-A, or CDL-B, you must also submit an application through the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV)
Step 5: Get surety. Once the OSA has reviewed your financials, they’ll also determine the level of surety you need. DOL recommends getting a Surety Bond to fill this requirement, as it is the easiest to get and to keep up. See more information on surety options, including templates and directions, at Office of Private Occupational School Education: Surety Forms and Instructions.
Step 6: Submit your application and payment. After you submit your application and payment, please email the record ID to occupational.schools@mass.gov to notify us that your initial application has been submitted.
Step 7: Host a site visit. Once your completed application and any necessary additional approvals have been submitted, DOL will schedule a site visit for an inspection.
Required attachments for initial applicants
The following items must be uploaded with your application. Documents and forms can be found on Information for Occupational Licensing.
- Ownership Documentation:
- For each owner, upload an Owner Information form, notarized Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) form, Sexual Offender Record Information (SORI) form, and a Signature Page of ethics training
- Ownership Type Documentation:
- Corporations must submit a copy of their Articles of Incorporation and documentation of employee identification number (EIN) or federal employer identification (FEIN) number. (Note: Corporations that are operating (not as schools) and now want to offer courses must amend their articles of organization with the Secretary of State’s Office). Enclose a copy of the certified amendment.
- Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) must submit a copy of their Articles of Organization and documentation of EIN or FEIN number
- Partnerships must submit a notarized copy of their partnership agreement and Articles of Organization, along with documentation of EIN or FEIN number
- Individual owners must submit consent to do business from the city/town clerk for locations of operation
- Franchises must submit a signed copy of their franchise agreement
- A Business Certificate, or D/B/A Certificate, from the cities or towns of operation
Corporations that are not operating as schools and want to offer courses must amend their articles of organization with the Secretary of State’s Office and include a copy of the certified amendment.
Facility inspection reports
Current Building and Fire Inspection reports for each facility students will enter. If you don’t have separate inspection reports, a current Certificate of Occupancy report signed by both the local building and fire inspectors may be submitted.
- Building Inspection Report Form: For each location, upload the current Certificate of Inspection or use the Building Inspection Report Form. You must also include the Building Use Group in accordance with the State Board of Building Regulations and Standards (780 CMR 304 or 305).
- Fire Inspection Report Form: For each location, upload the current Certificate of Inspection or use the Fire Inspection Report Form.
Enrollment agreement
An Enrollment Agreement, also known as an Enrollment Contract, on school letterhead that complies with state regulations (G.L. c. 255, §13K). View this Sample Enrollment Agreement to ensure you include all required information.
School closure plan
A completed School Closure Plan.
Property lease or deed
If you own the property, upload a copy of the deed. If the property is being leased, upload a copy of the lease, signed by both the lessee(s) and the lessor(s) that includes the lessor’s name, address, and telephone number.
Floor plan
A copy of the floor plan indicating the approximate size and purpose of each room.
Board of Health approval
If you will be teaching in an allied health program that requires approval from the local board of health, you must provide a copy of the approval. Oversight programs like phlebotomy and other allied health programs is at the discretion of the local board of health.
Proof of adequate liability insurance
Documentation proving adequate liability insurance.
Policy statements
On school letterhead, or marked with the school catalog or student handbook, include the following policy statements
- Entrance requirements in accordance with 230 CMR 15.05(1)(b)
- Attendance policies, including the consequences of not following them
- Grading policies, including the consequences of not maintaining minimum grade requirements
- Satisfactory progress pursuant to 230CMR 15.01(10)
- School rules and regulations, including the consequences of not following them
- Guidance and counseling policies
- Job placement
- School calendar with dates of courses, days off, days the school is closed, or any other breaks
- Student complaint resolution process in accordance with (230CMR 15.07), including that the school must respond to a student’s written complaint in writing within 10 days and students may contact the Office of Private Occupational School Education at any time
Program course catalog
A copy of the catalog
Federal Student Aid approval(s) (if applicable)
A copy of the approval letter(s)
Accreditation approval(s) (if applicable)
A copy of the approval letter(s)
GI Bill approval letter (if applicable)
A copy of the approval letter
Surety
Initial applicants must submit by first-class mail the original surety document in the amount determined by the State Auditor along with the surety and a copy of the State Auditor’s determination letter.
Instructors
For each instructor, upload a CORI Authorization, which is an application packet containing an Instructor Certification Form, notarized CORI Form, notarized SORI Form, and resume or Curriculum Vitae. Include a printout of their professional license, if required.
Non-instructional staffers
For each staffer, upload a CORI Authorization, which is an application packet that contains a Staff Certification Form, notarized CORI Form, and SORI Form. Include a signature page of Ethics Training, if required.
Electronic Records Waiver (if applicable)
A copy of the completed Electronic Records Waiver