Steps to Apply for a Vocational Education Operation License

Steps to apply for a Vocational Education Operation License are carried out in strict sequence as prescribed by the Law on Vocational Education. Vocational education institutions, foreign-invested enterprises, or socio-political organizations must complete all legal documents and facilities before operation. In the following article, Long Phan Consulting Company will provide information on conditions, processes, and documents.

What is vocational education?

According to Clause 1, Article 3 of the Law on Vocational Education 2025, vocational education activities include building and developing training programs; quality assurance; enrollment and training organization; application of science, technology, and innovation; quality assessment and accreditation; cooperation and investment in vocational education.

Conditions for obtaining a license to operate vocational education activities.

To be granted a registration certificate for vocational education activities, enterprises need to meet conditions prescribed in Article 14 of Decree 143/2016/ND-CP (amended by Decree 24/2022/ND-CP, Decree 15/2019/ND-CP, Decree 140/2018/ND-CP):

1. For Elementary Level Training:

• Facilities: Suitable for the profession/scale. Theory classrooms and practice workshops must ensure an average of at least 04 m²/study place.
• Programs/Curriculum: Must be sufficient for each registered profession, developed, appraised, and issued according to regulations.
• Teaching Staff: Meet standards; maximum ratio of 25 students/teacher; have permanent teachers for the organized training profession.

2. For Intermediate and College Level Training:

• Professions: Must be in the list of training professions issued by the Ministry of Labor – Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA); suitable for socio-economic development planning.
• Facilities:
  • Classrooms/workshops ensuring at least 5.5 m²/study place.
  • Equipment meeting minimum standards issued by MOLISA.
  • Library with software/equipment/materials.
  • Administrative/working area ensuring at least 06 m²/person (intermediate) and 08 m²/person (college).
  • Construction works serving culture, sports, entertainment, health, and services.
• Programs/Curriculum: Sufficient for each registered profession.
• Teaching Staff/Managers: Sufficient quantity/structure; meet standards.
  • Maximum student/teacher ratio is 25.
  • Permanent teachers must undertake at least 60% of the program for each profession.
  • Foreign teachers must meet regulations on foreign labor.

Application for a license to operate a vocational education program.

According to Article 15 of Decree 143/2016/ND-CP (amended by Clause 11 Article 1 Decree 24/2022/ND-CP), the dossier includes 01 set:

1. Registration Document: Form No. 04 Appendix V.
2. Report on Registration of Activities: Form No. 05 Appendix V.
3. Legal Documents: Copy of the establishment decision/investment registration certificate (if registering in a province different from the head office).

The process for applying for a license to operate a vocational education program

According to Article 17 of Decree 143/2016/ND-CP (amended by Clause 13 Article 1 Decree 24/2022/ND-CP), Steps to Apply for a Vocational Education Operation License:

For Colleges:

• Submission: Submit dossier to the General Directorate of Vocational Education.
• Processing: Within 10 working days, the General Directorate appraises and issues the certificate (Form No. 06). If refused, a written reply with reasons is provided.
• Publicity: Within 02 working days, the certificate is publicized on the website and sent to the local Department of Labor – Invalids and Social Affairs (DOLISA).

For Intermediate Schools, Centers, and Enterprises:

• Submission: Submit dossier to the Department of Labor – Invalids and Social Affairs (DOLISA) where activities are organized.
• Processing: Within 10 working days, DOLISA appraises and issues the certificate.
• Publicity: Within 02 working days, the certificate is publicized and sent to the General Directorate of Vocational Education.

Which authority is responsible for issuing licenses for vocational education activities?

According to Article 16 of Decree 143/2016/ND-CP, amended and supplemented by Clause 12, Article 1 of Decree 24/2022/ND-CP and Article 25 of Decree 142/2025/ND-CP, the authority to issue certificates of registration for vocational education activities is regulated as follows:

• The General Department of Vocational Education issues certificates of registration for vocational education activities to colleges.
• The Director of the Department of Education and Training issues certificates of registration for vocational education activities to secondary schools, vocational training centers, and enterprises.

>>>See more: Conditions for establishing a company to operate a preschool education facility

Long Phan Consulting Company provides business registration procedure consulting services.

With practical experience in corporate law, Long Phan Consulting Company provides fast, lawful, and cost-optimized services for establishing enterprises and applying for vocational education licenses. We structure our support into the following key areas:

• Providing advice on choosing the appropriate business entity type;
• Providing advice on business naming, registered office address, charter capital, and business lines in accordance with legal regulations;
• Prepare business registration documents in accordance with the current Enterprise Law;
• Authorized representatives of our clients to submit applications and monitor the processing at the competent authorities;
• Receive and deliver results, and explain the content to clients when necessary.

Some frequently asked questions when applying for a vocational education license

Below, Long Phan Consulting Company provides some frequently asked questions related to the procedures for obtaining a vocational education operating license. We invite interested clients to refer to this information:

Can foreign-invested enterprises be licensed to operate vocational education programs?

Yes. Vietnamese law allows foreign-invested enterprises to establish vocational education institutions or register for training activities if they fully meet the conditions regarding capital, facilities, and teaching staff as stipulated in Article 28 of Decree 86/2018/ND-CP, supplemented by Clause 12, Article 1 of Decree 124/2024/ND-CP.

What is the validity period of the Vocational Education Registration Certificate?

Certificates of registration for vocational education activities usually do not specify an expiration date. However, educational institutions must submit periodic reports and are subject to inspection and supervision by the management agency. If they fail to maintain the necessary conditions regarding facilities or instructors, their license may be revoked or their operations suspended.

How is the minimum classroom area for intermediate and advanced level education calculated? 

According to Clause b, Point 2, Article 14 of Decree 143/2016/ND-CP, as amended by Clause a, Point 6, Article 5 of Decree 140/2018/ND-CP, the area of ​​theoretical classrooms; practical training rooms and workshops used for learning and teaching must be at least 5.5 m2 per student. For the administrative area, there must be sufficient offices, administrative areas, and faculty offices to meet the organizational structure of departments, faculties, and specialized subjects, ensuring a minimum area of ​​6 m2 per person for intermediate-level training and 8 m2 per person for college-level training.

Are vocational education institutions allowed to hire visiting lecturers?

According to the legal provisions in point d, clause 2, Article 14 of Decree 143/2016/ND-CP, as amended by point b, clause 6, Article 5 of Decree 140/2018/ND-CP, educational institutions are permitted to hire visiting lecturers. However, to ensure the quality of training, the institution must have a team of full-time teachers and lecturers who cover at least 60% of the curriculum for each training major or profession. All teachers (including visiting lecturers) must possess appropriate professional qualifications and pedagogical certificates.

When changing the training location, do I need to apply for a new license?

Yes. According to Clause 5, Article 18 of Decree 143/2016/ND-CP, as amended by Clause 14, Article 1 of Decree 24/2022/ND-CP, when relocating the head office, branch, or training location to another place, where the branch or training location directly organizes training or adds new training programs, the vocational education institution must carry out the procedure for registering additional vocational education activities. The competent authority will re-evaluate the physical facilities at the new location before issuing a new certificate.

Conclusion

Applying for a Vocational Education Operation License requires absolute accuracy in documentation and meeting technical standards. Long Phan Consulting Company commits to accompanying Clients to remove legal barriers. Please contact Hotline 1900636389 for support.