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On February 1, 2012, the oversight of Private Business and Vocational Schools was transferred from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) pursuant to the Private Business and Vocational Schools Act of 2012 (Public Act 97-650). This Act is available as a pdf and the statute (105 ILCS 426) is on the Illinois General Assembly website (http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=3393&ChapterID=17). The PBVS Administrative Rules were adopted by the Board on June 5, 2012
Schools that were previously approved by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and that were granted an extension of approval can apply for annual renewal of that approval at the “Applications” link below. The annual renewal will allow a school to continue operations in Illinois and provide proof of State approval to outside organizations. Schools that are not currently approved can apply for a new Permit of Approval as a new institution at the “Applications” link below.
Frequently Asked Questions: Please check back to this page for further information over the coming months. As additional information becomes available, it will be posted to this page.
- How does this transfer impact schools operating under a certificate of approval? Schools will maintain their ISBE issued certificates of approval through June 30, 2012. The IBHE is developing a new system to oversee the schools.
- Where do I send my application and fee for annual renewal? The IBHE is developing a new online system to accept these requests electronically. More information on the fee is forthcoming.
- Where do I send my application for a change of location and/or classroom extension? The IBHE is developing a new online system to accept these requests electronically. This new system for private business and vocational schools will be similar to the IBHE’s current system developed for the degree-granting institutions.
- Where do I send fees for a sales representative permit or renewal? Effective February 1, 2012, the application and renewal fees for sales representatives are no longer authorized and will not be collected by IBHE. Other application and renewal fees will be assessed pursuant to Section 75 of the Private Business and Vocational Schools Act of 2012 and in the amounts provided in the forthcoming administrative rules.
- Where do I send my application and fees for supplementary courses of instruction and for a short course? Effective February 1, 2012, the application and renewal fees for supplementary courses and short courses are no longer authorized and will not be collected by IBHE. Other application and renewal fees will be assessed pursuant to Section 75 of the Private Business and Vocational Schools Act of 2012 and in the amounts provided in the forthcoming administrative rules.
- Will my records at ISBE be transferred to IBHE? Yes, the hard copies previously submitted will be scanned electronically but this process will take considerable time. In the interim, the IBHE is developing an online registration and application submission site for established schools and for new applicants. This new system for private business and vocational schools will be similar to the IBHE’s current system developed for the degree-granting institutions.
- Where do I submit program or course changes and a request for relocation? Do not submit these requests at this time. The online system to submit these requests will be available in the near future.
- Can the fees be lessened or waived? There is no provision in statute or rule to lessen or waive fees for an institution. These fees are necessary to support this program since no funds were appropriated to the IBHE for administration of this program.
- Where can I find more information? Shown below is a cross-walk of topics and the related Sections of the Public Act with page numbers cited for the pdf file (see links above).
Topic |
IBHE Comment |
Public Act 97-650 |
Page # in the pdf File |
Permit of Approval |
Formerly known as the certificate of approval. Section 20 of the new Act provides the basic requirements for the approval process. |
Section 20 |
4-6 |
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Exemptions |
The Private Business and Vocational Schools Act of 2012, Section 30 indicates who does not need to apply under the Act. |
Section 30 |
7-9 |
Enrollment Agreement |
Under Section 40 of the Private Business and Vocational Schools Act of 2012, a copy of the enrollment agreement must be provided to the Board. Additional requirements will be provided in the administrative rules and a standard enrollment agreement will be provided on the web site as it is developed. |
Section 40, see also definition in Section 15 |
15-16 and 2 |
Faculty |
Under the new Act, schools will be required to submit faculty credentials required for teaching a program of study as part of the submission for institution’s approval. Faculty do not have to be approved by the Board prior to the start of the instructional period. Individual faculty hires and their appropriate qualifications will be submitted by the institution during designated reporting periods and need not be submitted prior to teaching the course. Failure to hire faculty according to the credentials outlined by the institution may be grounds for revocation of the permit of approval. |
Section 35 |
9-12 |
Program Approval Criteria |
At a minimum, the requirements will include information related to the permit of approval criteria found in Section 35 of the Act. |
Section 35 |
9-12 |
Recruiters |
Under the new Act, schools will be required to submit information about the recruiting process and the information provided to students as a part of the submission for the school’s approval. Individual recruiters do not have to be approved by the Board prior to the start of the employment period. Individual recruiters hired and their appropriate qualifications will be submitted by the institution during designated reporting periods and need not be submitted prior starting employment. The actions of the recruiters are the responsibility of the institution. Failure to adhere to the information about the recruiting process and the information provided to students outlined by the institution in the application process may be grounds for revocation of the permit of approval. |
Section 35 |
9-12 |
Surety Bond |
Section 55 of the Private Business and Vocational Schools Act of 2012 describes the maintenance of approval policy requirements. Additional requirements will be provided in the administrative rules. |
Section 55 |
17-18 |
Fees |
Application and renewal fee categories are shown in Section 75 of the new Act. The amounts will be established in the administrative rules. |
Section 75 |
24-25 |
Disclosure Requirements |
Under Section 37 of the Private Business and Vocational Schools Act of 2012, at a minimum, the school must meet disclosure requirements listed under the Act. |
Section 37 |
12-15 |
Maintenance of Approval |
The Private Business and Vocational Schools Act of 2012 describes the maintenance of approval policy requirements. Additional requirements will be provided in the administrative rules. |
Section 55 |
17-21 |
Refund Policy |
Section 60 of the Private Business and Vocational Schools Act of 2012 describes the requirement. The refund policy requirements will be established in the administrative rules. |
Section 60 |
21-22 |
Advertising |
Section 65 of the new Act prohibits advertising and soliciting students without Board authorization. |
Section 65 |
22 |
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