How to Register an Alternative Education Institution — Registration Documents with the Superintendent and a 1-Month Review

Procedure

1. 1. Check whether the facility can be registered

   Facilities mainly aimed at admission to foreign universities, facilities whose main language is a foreign language or that aim at foreign language learning, and facilities registered as private academies cannot register as alternative education institutions. Also check the founder's and operator's disqualifications (5 years after a sentence of imprisonment without labor or heavier, 3 years after registration cancellation, sexual crimes against children, etc.).

2. 2. Secure school buildings and a site

   Secure school buildings meeting the standard floor area and own or lease the buildings and site. Safety, soundproofing, ventilation, lighting, fire safety, drainage and hygiene must be suitable for teaching, and teaching aids such as books and equipment must be provided. The superintendent may relax the area standard if it does not hinder education.

3. 3. Prepare the registration documents

   Prepare the application with the purpose, name, location, educational goals, school rules, expenses and maintenance method, curriculum operation plan and staffing plan, plus the opening date, student quota, facility status and ownership or lease of the buildings and site.

4. 4. Registration with the superintendent and review

   The superintendent decides on registration within 1 month from the application date after review by the alternative education institution registration and operation committee, and may extend this once by 1 month if unavoidable. After operation begins, submit a student roster to the superintendent.

5. 5. Change registration and closure report

   If registered matters change, apply for change registration; operating differently from the curriculum operation plan is grounds for registration cancellation. To close, report the closure to the superintendent and notify guardians at least 6 months before closure.

Required documents

• Alternative education institution registration application
• School rules, educational goals, curriculum operation plan
• Staffing plan, expenses and maintenance method
• Facility status and student quota
• Proof of ownership or lease of buildings and site (copy of the lease)
• Letter of authorization (when submitted by an agent)

Fees

Generally from hundreds of thousands to several million won in the industry · We quote after consultation depending on the founding entity (individual, organization or corporation) and the scope of drafting the school rules and curriculum operation plan.

See fees and official charges for this service →

Legal basis and review date

• Act on Alternative Education Institutions, Article 2
• Act on Alternative Education Institutions, Article 5
• Act on Alternative Education Institutions, Article 6
• Act on Alternative Education Institutions, Article 7
• Act on Alternative Education Institutions, Article 8
• Act on Alternative Education Institutions, Article 9
• Act on Alternative Education Institutions, Article 10
• Enforcement Decree of the Act on Alternative Education Institutions, Article 2
• Enforcement Decree of the Act on Alternative Education Institutions, Article 3

Checked against the statutes on 2026-10-05

Statutes and public notices change, so each case needs to be checked individually. Statute titles are given in English for reference. The Korean statutes are the authoritative text.

Check these first

• Operating differently from the curriculum operation plan after registration is grounds for registration cancellation.
• To close, you must notify guardians at least 6 months in advance and prepare measures to protect students' right to learn.

Frequently asked questions