What is China’s School License and Who Needs One?

The School License (办学许可证) is a legal requirement for any organisation or individual that wants to operate a private educational or training institution in China. This applies to a wide range of businesses, including language schools, skills training centres, extracurricular tutoring services, and other types of for-profit education. This license is overseen by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and issued by local Education Bureaus at the district or municipal level and is a legal prerequisite for offering in-person education or training services to the public.

The School License system is governed by a framework of national laws and administrative regulations, including the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Promotion of Privately-run Schools (Amended in 2018), the Law on Administrative Licensing (Revised in 2019), and the Implementing Regulations for the Law on the Promotion of Private Education (Revised in 2021). These laws collectively define the conditions under which private education providers may operate and grant local education authorities the power to approve, supervise, and, if necessary, revoke licenses.

These regulations are designed to ensure the quality, safety, and legality of educational services, particularly in a policy environment that has become more restrictive since 2021. Any entity operating without this license is considered illegal and risks enforcement actions, including fines and shutdowns.

Who Needs a School License？

You need a School License if your business offers any structured educational services to the public in exchange for fees. This includes:

• Private training centers such as those offering English, coding, art, or music classes
• Vocational education institutions focused on adult skills development
• After-school tutoring centers
• Companies providing face-to-face instruction or classroom-based learning
  

It is important to note that businesses offering online education may require different licenses such as the Internet Content Provider License or the Online Publishing License depending on the nature of their services.

Why Do You Need a School License?

Any business that provides structured educational or training services to the public in China must obtain a School License before legally operating. This applies regardless of whether the institution is for-profit or non-profit and regardless of whether the instruction is academic, vocational, or interest-based.

Operating without a School License may result in:

• Forced closure of your institution
• Confiscation of illegal income
• Administrative penalties and fines
• Ineligibility to register for other required licenses or permits

In addition, platforms such as app stores, payment providers, and property management companies increasingly require proof of a valid School License before partnering with education businesses.

If your company provides in-person teaching, training programmes, or any form of systematic instruction within a classroom or training centre setting, the School License is not optional; it is a legal obligation.

What are the Application Prequisites?

The process to obtain a School License is paperwork-intensive and involves detailed scrutiny by local education authorities. Below is an overview of what is typically required.

Preliminary Approvals

• Notice of name pre-approval from the local Administration for Industry and Commerce
• Official application form for establishing an educational training institution

Core Documents

• A comprehensive application report detailing the following:
  
  • Training objectives
  • Business address and facilities
  • Sponsor identity and capital structure
  • Donors or funding sources
  • Target student demographics
  • Types of courses offered
  • Information about the legal representative
  • Qualifications of the head of the institution and full-time staff
  • Internal governance systems and safety protocols
    
• Identity documents or licenses for the organizers whether individuals or legal entities
• Criminal background check for the legal representative
• Charter or constitution of the institution
• List of council or board members with signatures
• Fire safety certification and property lease documentation
• Capital verification report issued by a certified accounting firm
  

Staff Qualifications

• For the principal:
  • Form of identification 
  • Academic degree
  • Teaching qualification or professional title
  • Resume or work history documentation
    
• For teachers:
  • Teaching certificate
  • Form of identification 
  • Employment contract
    
• For finance personnel:
  • Accounting qualification
  • Form of identification 
  • Employment contract

All documents must typically be submitted in both original and copy form and may require in-person verification at multiple stages.

Can Foreign Companies Obtain this License?

Obtaining a School License is one of the most difficult approval processes in China for foreign companies. The main obstacles include:

Policy Uncertainty
Recent national policies have targeted private education with the aim of reducing academic pressure on students. These policies have severely restricted licensing of new institutions, especially in core subjects.

Strict Document Review
Minor errors or omissions in application materials can result in long delays or outright rejection.

Local Discretion
Each city or district may interpret and apply rules differently. Some regions are more open to new institutions, while others are not accepting applications at all.

Ongoing Compliance
Even after receiving the license institutions must undergo periodic inspections covering fire safety, staff qualifications, curriculum compliance, and financial audits.

How Can AppInChina Help?

AppInChina provides expert support to help foreign companies understand and comply with China’s education and business licensing requirements. We can help by:

• Assessing whether your business model requires a School License or another form of approval
• Advising on local regulations, policy trends, and feasibility in different regions of China
• Providing alternatives such as strategic partnerships or licensing workarounds for online delivery
• Offering ongoing compliance guidance to ensure your operations stay within legal boundaries

Whether you’re exploring market entry or scaling your education business in China, AppInChina offers the tools, expertise, and local insight you need to move forward with confidence.

Contact us to discuss your licensing strategy and discover the most effective path to compliance in China’s education market.