Under rules and regulations approved in 2009, the California Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education sets minimum operating standards for vocational schools in the state and mandates that all schools maintains specific written standards for student admission; that the facilities have sufficient equipment and materials to help students achieve education goals; that the school has a withdrawal policy and provides refunds; that the directors, administrators and faculty are properly qualified; that the institution is financially sound; that when students complete an educational program, they receive a document signifying the degree or diploma awarded; and that records and transcripts are maintained and available to students.
Approval to operate a vocational school is given by the state's postsecondary education bureau only after the school has demonstrated that it has the capacity to satisfy the minimum operating standards. Not only does the institution have to provide the evidence to the bureau, but the bureau has to independently verify it. Any application that doesn't demonstrate the required capacity is denied, but those that are approved are given a five-year operational license.
Vocational schools are not allowed to merge classes unless all students have received the same amount of instruction up to the point or merger. Also, classes cannot be suspended unless due to circumstances beyond the school's control; or change the day or time of a class to a day and/or time when a student cannot attend the school, unless at least 90 percent of the students enrolled in the class agree to the change, and the school offers refunds to the students who don't consent to the change.
Also, a vocational school can't move the location of a class more than 25 miles from the location of instruction at the time of enrollment unless the school discloses in writing before enrollment that the class site will change, the school applies for and receives approval from the bureau to change; the school offers full refunds to students who don't voluntary consent to the change; or unforeseeable and unavoidable circumstances outside the school's hands causes the change.
Schools that have short-term programs designed to be completed in one to four months can require students to pay tuition on the first day of class. For programs that are four months or longer, the school can't require more than one term, or four months, of advance payment at a time. Full payment can be requested after at least 50 percent of the program has been given.
All schools are required to refund the enrollee 100 percent of the amount paid in institutional charges, minus a deposit or fee not to exceed $250, if the enrollee cancels their enrollment by either the first class session or seventh day of enrollment, whichever is later.
Vocational schools are barred from using the California State Seal on its diplomas; promising or guaranteeing employment upon graduation; advertise, or indicate in promotional material that the school is accredited if it is not; solicit students for enrollment by advertising via help wanted ads; pay students to enroll in courses; or willfully falsify, destroy or conceal documents that are required to remain on record.