BPSS

Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision

Director Application Instructions

Instructions for Completing a "Director's Application," BPSS-15

  1. Read Section 126.6 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education before completing the enclosed application.

  2. Complete sections I through 14 of the enclosed application.

  3. Obtain the signature of the Owner/President.

  4. Enclose supporting documentation such as:
    1. Photocopy of your high school diploma.
    2. Photocopy of a transcript from a regionally accredited institution. A transcript must be provided if you are applying for business director license.
    3. Photocopy of letter stating you completed the 15-hour director's course (if applying for a permanent license).
    4. Photocopy of licensed private or business school teacher permit or license.
    5. Original letters from former employers verifying five years of acceptable experience as indicated in #9 below. The letter must be on the employer's stationery and clearly state the dates employed and duties performed. The statement from the former employer must be notarized if it cannot be provided on letterhead.

      Special Instructions for Self-Employed

      1. Where an applicant is self-employed, a sworn affidavit to that effect should be submitted and properly attested to by two witnesses. (Note: A witness is an individual who knew the applicant during the time of self-employment [e.g., a customer or employee.]) The affidavit should also include the address of the applicant's place of business, the nature of his/her employment, whether or not employed full time, and the dates employed.

      2. Where employment was in a foreign country and evidence of such is not available, a sworn affidavit attested to by two witnesses should be submitted. (Note: A witness is an individual who knew the applicant during the time of self-employment [e.g., a customer or employee.]) The affidavit should describe, in detail, the nature of the employment and give the names and addresses of employers. 

        Likewise, where education was obtained in a foreign country, or obtained in this country and records are not available, an affidavit similar to those above should be submitted, giving the name and address of school or schools attended, whether full-time, part-time, courses completed, and length of courses. The affidavit should be accompanied, if possible, by a letter or letters from school authorities stating that the records are not available. The affidavit should be attested to by two witnesses.

      3. Where applicant's experience is gained from freelance work, adequate evidence should be submitted that the freelance work is equated to the appropriate number of years of full-time experience. Please follow the affidavit format indicated above if verification from employers cannot be obtained.

  5. Explanation for any "yes" response to Question 13.

  6. Enclose a $50 check or money order made payable to the State Education Department. The application and fee must be mailed to:

    New York State Education Department
    Bureau of Fiscal Management
    P.O. Box 7346
    Albany, NY 12224

    The Bureau will act upon application requests within thirty (30) days of receipt of a timely and complete application.

  7. The initial application must be postmarked four (4) days prior to employment. The subsequent application must he submitted thirty (30) days in advance of the expiration of the permit. If the application is not submitted on time, the license will not be backdated.

  8. It is the responsibility of the Owner/President to ascertain that all information and material submitted is accurate and complete and submitted in a timely fashion. The application, $50 check or money order and evidence of work experience and education must be submitted.

  9. In order to qualify for a full license you must complete an approved 15-clock hour course offered by the Department. A temporary non-renewable permit, valid for one year, will be issued until you meet this requirement.

  10. Qualifications:

    1. A high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma; and

      1. Five years acceptable practical experience in one or more of the courses taught in the school,
        or

      2. Five years of acceptable teaching experience in one or more of the courses taught in the school,
        or

      3. Five years of acceptable administrative or supervisory experience,
        or

        Any combination of (a), (b) and (c) acceptable to the Commissioner.

    2. For a licensed private school director permit, an appropriate baccalaureate degree acceptable to the Commissioner may be used to satisfy the requirements of (2) above (e.g., public or business administration).  This does not apply for directors of registered business schools/computer training facilities.  For those areas, see (4) below.

    3. In addition to (2) above, directors of registered business schools/computer training facilities must have an appropriate baccalaureate or higher degree.

    4. If an individual is applying for a director permit/license for both the trade and business schools/computer training facilities at the same location, a management plan must be submitted with the applications. Please contact the bureau for a copy of the management plan guidelines to assist you in the preparation of an acceptable plan. You must submit two complete applications with the $50 fee for each permit/license. You do not need to submit two complete copies of the supporting documentation.

  11. A director's permit/license is valid only for the school and location for which it is issued. If you move to another school, you must reapply for a new license.

  12. All fees are non-refundable and non -transferable.

  13. The bureau recommends that each licensed director also obtain an agent's certificate. Pursuant to Section 126.12 of the Commissioner's Regulations, no one may solicit, procure, or enroll students unless the person is a salaried employee of the school and holds a valid private school agent's certificate.
Last Updated: July 10, 2009