Educational license for an online school: eligibility criteria and obtaining

Elena Mashina

Modern education is becoming increasingly private, and with digitalization, online schools are becoming mainstream. An online school can be created for any age and to teach almost any skill. The status of an online school is fundamental, since the need to obtain an educational license depends on it. On the one hand, it opposes classical education (high school and university), since it is more mobile, on the other hand, the online school still exists within the framework of education regulation. As a consequence, the same standards apply to it. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the criteria for obtaining such a license, and based on this requirement for online schools. You can read about them in our article.

Content of the article:

When an online school needs a license

Licensing online schools depends on the question, Does the online school educational activities within the meaning of the legislator. Often, in practice, they rely on the following criteria:

Organization of one-time events (master classes, lectures, webinars) is not an educational event and does not require a license. Such events are usually organized not only by educational organizations, this is a marketing tool for them.
Availability of an educational program. The availability of documents on your website that actually make up the educational program speaks in favor of recognizing the need to obtain a license for an online school.
If an online school grades students and there is a universal grading system, this is another reason to call the activity educational.
Availability of certification. Verification of students' mastery of knowledge, skills or competencies. The issuance of any documents, including those of no legal significance, actually testifies to educational activities.
Availability of teachers. Assessing the staff of an online school is also a way to determine educational activities. If the employment contracts contain a function of training or certification, in general, the activity will be educational.

The consequence of not obtaining a license is bringing to administrative responsibility. The fine is from 40 to 50 thousand rubles.

Licensing process

Requirements to the educational platform for licensing

The basic requirements can be found in the Regulation and on the licensing of educational activities. Essentially had to change the regulation of licensing the act, to set foot into force from January 1, 2021. Formally, it reduces the demand and, consequently, facilitate the issuance of licenses. Now you do not need the presence of premises, the necessary provision inside and the SER (p. 5).

Educational platform licensing criteria:

The presence of the necessary digital content, primarily the site;
Availability of training programs. When they are approved, it is necessary to check them for compliance with the legislation;
Availability of teaching staff.

Steps to obtain a license and

On the website of the State Service, you need to fill out an application, attaching all the necessary documents. The term of consideration is 45 days, the state fee is 7,500 rubles. Then it will be possible to obtain the license by mail or at a specified location.

Documents for when applying for an educational license

Documents to be attached when submitting an application:

Document on the availability of training programs;
A document that confirms that you have a platform on which the educational service will be provided;
Head Letter on Involvement of Teachers/Researchers with Professional Education;
Inventory of documents.

Does the online school do educational activities?

On 1 June, the Act entered into force, establishing the concept of education and the conditions for education. The definition itself is formulated as widely as possible, so it is likely that online schools fall under this regulation. If education is systematic, education does not even have such a criterion. However, while there is no practice, it is difficult to say how much it will be necessary to change the approach of online schools to comply with the law.

If you want to minimize all risks, you should consider obtaining a license for an online school as a mandatory stage. Unambiguously, a license will not be required for one-time events. In fact, the online school provides educational services, so it is worth proceeding from the fact that a license is needed. In addition, since 2021, one of the most difficult licensing conditions has been overcome - the presence of premises for online schools. If you have questions or need help obtaining an educational license, please contact A4 Law Firm lawyers.