Alabama: A Step By Step Guide To Obtain State Approval For A Private Post Secondary Institution

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Licensing Agency

Alabama Community College System (ACCS) – Private School Licensure Division

Degree-Granting Institutions

Process

Alabama law requires every proprietary postsecondary school (for-profit, private) to secure an Alabama Private School License before operating, unless the school qualifies for a statutory exemption. Degree-granting colleges follow the same licensing path as non-degree schools, but with extra degree-specific items.

1. Determine Exemption Status – Check Alabama Code §16-46-3 to confirm whether the school (for example, a purely religious institution) is exempt
2. Prepare Application Materials – Study the state’s “Guidelines for Private School License” and collect:
   • Articles of incorporation and ownership details
   • Proposed program catalogs (courses, degree requirements, admissions)
   • Faculty CVs and academic credentials
   • Facility data (address, classrooms, equipment lists)
   • Audited financial statements and recent tax returns
   • Surety bond payable to ACCS: $50,000 (degree-granting)
3. Online Application – Create an account in the ACCS e-portal, complete every section of the Private School License application, and upload all supporting files.
4. Fees Payment – Pay the $25 initial filing fee plus the license fee ( 0.5 % of projected Alabama tuition revenue, minimum $2,750 for degree schools).
5. Review & Evaluation – ACCS staff check completeness and compliance. Unaccredited degree programs undergo an external academic review; ACCS may also conduct an on-site visit.
6. Additional ACHE Review – If the school’s owners are out-of-state or the charter is issued outside Alabama, a separate authorization request must be filed with the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE).
   
   
7. Licensure Decision – Once requirements are met, ACCS issues the Private School License (initial term = two years) listing the approved degree programs.
8. Continuous Compliance – Schools must operate strictly within license terms; program changes or relocations need prior ACCS approval and may trigger a new site visit and fee.
9. Renewal – Every two years, submit updated documentation and pay the renewal fee (again 0.5 % of in-state tuition revenue within the prescribed minimum/maximum).

Checklist of Required Items

• Completed online application
• School catalog (policies and programs)
• Curricula / degree plans
• Faculty qualifications
• Audited financials (evidence of stability)
• $50,000 surety bond
• Campus lease or deed, and floor plans if required
• Accreditation proof or timetable (Alabama mandates candidacy or accreditation within set time)
• Proof of fee payments
  
  

Fees & Timelines

Expect a few weeks for completeness screening and several months for full review. License approvals occur on a rolling basis, not by set calendar. Core fees: $25 application fee + revenue-based license fee (min $2,750). A site visit, if necessary, adds roughly $300.

Agency Contact

ACCS Private School Licensure Division
Director: Tivoli Nash - Phone 334-293-4654
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 302130, Montgomery, AL 36130-2130

Vocational and Career Schools

Non-degree postsecondary institutions (career or technical programs) follow the same application path, with these differences:

• Surety Bond – $20,000 minimum (instead of $50k)
• License Fee – 0.5 % of projected tuition, minimum $1,500
• Program Review – Emphasis on job-skill relevance, placement services, and adequate hands-on equipment
• Accreditation – Not required for vocational licensure, but mandatory if the school later adds degree programs

State Exemptions

Certain entities—programs overseen exclusively by a professional licensing board, non-sectarian religious institutions issuing only religious degrees, and other limited categories—may claim exemption. Exempt schools can still pursue voluntary licensure (often without posting a bond). Always consult ACCS exemption guidance before proceeding

For personalized guidance on navigating the authorization process for your private post secondary institution in Alabama, reach out to Expert Education Consultants (EEC) at +19252089037 or email sandra@experteduconsult.com