How to check a tutoring centre's licence: a practical guide for parents verifying tutoring school registration details
In Hong Kong, tutoring schools fall within the school registration system. The Education Bureau provides an "Information on applying for school registration" webpage for new schools, together with a "Guidance notes for new school registration (premises designed and constructed for non-school purposes)", whose Appendix 8 deals specifically with the safety certificate for registration applications for kindergartens and tutoring schools in premises designed and constructed for non-school purposes. If parents want to confirm whether a tutoring centre is registered, the safest approach is to rely on information published by the Education Bureau and enquire with the Education Bureau directly, rather than trusting only promotional leaflets or verbal promises. This article explains which government departments and forms are involved in registration applications, what information parents can ask a tutoring centre for, and the course, teaching staff and fee issues to note even after registration is verified. It also explains the definition of a "school" under the Education Ordinance, the difference between temporary and formal registration, the relationship between licence applications and tenancies, and practical considerations such as taking over a business and equipment, and reminds parents to note the relevant requirements of the Department of Health and to distinguish the key checks for different forms of tutoring.
This article was put together automatically from official and organisation sources. Check the latest information from the organisation concerned.
- Tutoring schools fall within the school registration system, and the Education Bureau provides an "Information on applying for school registration" webpage.
- Appendix 8 of the guidance notes deals with the safety certificate for registration applications for kindergartens and tutoring schools in premises designed and constructed for non-school purposes.
- Registration applications involve Forms 1 and 6, and forms submitted to the Fire Services Department, Buildings Department or Housing Department, Lands Department and Planning Department.
- Verification of registration should rely on information published by the Education Bureau, enquiring with the Education Bureau directly.
- Registration does not equal teaching quality; parents still need to understand courses, teaching staff and fee arrangements.
- You can first let your child use free maths topics to identify weaknesses, then decide the direction of tutoring.
Tutoring schools and the school registration system
What parents call a "tutoring centre" generally falls under tutoring schools in the system. The Education Bureau provides an "Information on applying for school registration" webpage for new schools, including guidance notes titled "Guidance notes for new school registration (premises designed and constructed for non-school purposes)". The scope of these guidance notes matches a common situation in Hong Kong: tutoring schools are often located in commercial buildings, shopping malls or other premises designed and constructed for non-school purposes.
Appendix 8 of the guidance notes, titled "Safety certificate for registration applications for kindergartens and tutoring schools in premises designed and constructed for non-school purposes (processing procedures of the relevant departments)", explains how safety certificates are handled in registration applications for kindergartens and tutoring schools in such premises. For parents, this means that registering a tutoring school is not simply a matter of filling in a form; it involves safety requirements relating to the building, fire safety and other aspects.
So when parents ask "does this tutoring centre have a licence?", the more accurate understanding is: has this tutoring school registered under the Education Bureau's school registration system? To confirm this, you should rely on the Education Bureau's information. This article does not judge whether any individual tutoring centre is registered, nor does it list the names of any organisations.
Registration is only one part of judging whether a tutoring centre is trustworthy. The registration system concerns premises safety and basic standards, and does not directly equate to teaching quality; parents still need to find out separately about course content, tutor qualifications and fee arrangements.
"Schools" and educational courses under the Education Ordinance
Hong Kong's school registration system is governed by the Education Ordinance. The Ordinance's definition of a "school" is quite broad, covering places that provide educational courses. In other words, whether a tutoring centre is subject to the registration system often depends on whether it provides educational courses within the meaning of the Education Ordinance, not on whether it calls itself a "tutoring centre" or "education centre".
Parents should note that some organisations operate under names such as "education centre" or "learning centre", but if the courses they provide are educational courses, they may likewise be subject to the school registration system. Parents should therefore not judge whether an organisation is registered by its name alone, but should rely on the Education Bureau's records.
The Education Ordinance also distinguishes different types of educational institutions, such as nursery, kindergarten, primary, secondary and post-secondary education. Tutoring schools usually do not belong to the formal schooling stages, but they still fall within the Ordinance's framework. When checking, parents should enquire directly with the Education Bureau about the institution's registration status rather than drawing their own conclusions.
This article does not quote the Ordinance in full or interpret individual cases; if parents have specific questions, they should rely on the Education Bureau's information.
Which departments and forms a registration application involves
The Education Bureau's guidance notes show that registering a new school involves several government departments. An application for school registration requires Form 1 (application for school registration) and Form 6 (application for registration of a school manager). In addition, the applicant must apply to the Fire Services Department on Form A1, to the Buildings Department or Housing Department on Form A2, to the Lands Department on Form L, and to the Planning Department on Form P.
The guidance notes also list forms for amending plans: applicants must use Forms B1 and B2 to apply to the Fire Services Department and the Buildings Department or Housing Department for requested amendments to plans, and Forms C1 and C2 to apply to the Fire Services Department and the Buildings Department or Housing Department for amendments to plans. These procedures show that registering a tutoring school differs from ordinary business registration and involves buildings, fire safety, lands and planning.
The appendices of the guidance notes further explain each department's requirements: Appendix 1 explains the Planning Department's procedure and requirements for planning permission; Appendix 2 explains the Lands Department's notes on applying for a lease modification or waiver; Appendix 3 sets out the Fire Services Department's fire safety requirements; Appendix 7 sets out the Department of Health's health requirements. Parents do not need to memorise these forms, but knowing that registration involves these stages helps explain why verification should rely on Education Bureau information rather than a tutoring centre's own account.
The next section explains that if a property's permitted use does not cover educational institutions, an application may need to be made to the Lands Department for a lease modification or waiver, which relates to the term "waiver application"; understanding these procedures helps parents or operators judge the progress of a registration application.
The table below sets out some of the items mentioned in the guidance notes to help parents understand the complexity of registration applications. The table reflects only the content of the guidance notes and does not represent the actual situation of any individual tutoring centre.
| Item | Content in the guidance notes |
|---|---|
| Form 1 | Application for school registration |
| Form 6 | Application for registration of a school manager |
| Form A1 | Application form to the Fire Services Department |
| Form A2 | Application form to the Buildings Department / Housing Department |
| Form L | Application form to the Lands Department |
| Form P | Application form to the Planning Department |
| Forms B1, B2 | Application forms to the Fire Services Department and Buildings Department / Housing Department for requested amendments to plans |
| Forms C1, C2 | Application forms to the Fire Services Department and Buildings Department / Housing Department for amendments to plans |
| Appendix 1 | Planning Department: procedure and requirements for planning permission |
| Appendix 2 | Lands Department: notes on applying for lease modification / waiver |
| Appendix 3 | Fire Services Department: fire safety requirements |
| Appendix 7 | Department of Health: health requirements |
| Appendix 8 | Safety certificate for registration applications for kindergartens and tutoring schools in premises designed and constructed for non-school purposes (processing procedures of the relevant departments) |
How parents can verify a tutoring school's registration details
The first step in verification is to rely on information published by the Education Bureau. Parents can contact the Education Bureau directly to ask whether a particular tutoring school has completed school registration, and use the Education Bureau's reply as the basis for their judgment. The advantage is that the source is single and authoritative, so you do not have to piece things together from leaflets, social media posts and verbal accounts.
The second step is to ask the tutoring centre for verifiable written information, such as its registered name and registered address, and then compare it with the Education Bureau's records. Parents should note that the brand name used in promotion, branch names and the registered name may not be the same; likewise, the actual teaching location may differ from the registered address. If the name or address does not match, ask the tutoring centre to clarify first and, if necessary, enquire with the Education Bureau.
The third step is to distinguish "registered" from "application submitted". Completing registration and applying for it are two different things, and parents should not interpret "in progress" as "already registered". This article does not speculate about the status of any individual organisation; it simply sets out a principle: rely on the Education Bureau's records, not verbal promises.
Finally, parents can deal with verifying registration and finding out about the centre on the spot separately. Registration information can be checked before enrolling; the premises environment, fire escape routes, number of classrooms and student numbers can be observed during a visit or trial lesson. Combining both is more comprehensive than relying on either alone.
- Rely on information published by the Education Bureau and enquire with the Education Bureau directly.
- Ask the tutoring centre for written information such as its registered name and registered address, then compare it with the Education Bureau's records.
- Note that the promotional name, branch name and registered name may differ.
- Distinguish "completed registration" from "application in progress", and do not let verbal promises replace records.
- Beyond registration, find out separately about courses, teaching staff and fees.
What is the difference between temporary and formal registration?
Under the school registration system, besides formal registration, there is also an arrangement for temporary registration. Temporary registration usually allows a school to operate temporarily, subject to specific conditions, before formal registration is completed. Parents should note that a temporary registration certificate and a formal registration certificate are two different documents representing different registration statuses.
When checking, parents can ask clearly whether the tutoring centre holds temporary or formal registration, and the validity period of the registration. If the tutoring centre says it is "applying", parents should understand that this is not the same as having obtained temporary or formal registration. This article does not speculate about the registration status of any individual organisation; it only reminds parents to distinguish between the different registration documents.
In addition, the conditions for temporary registration may include premises safety and fire safety requirements, which are related to but different from those for formal registration. If parents have questions, they should rely on the Education Bureau's information.
Practical considerations for licence requirements, licence applications, tenancies and taking over a business
For those intending to open a tutoring centre, licence applications are often inseparable from the tenancy. The Education Bureau's guidance notes state that applicants must apply to the Lands Department on Form L, and Appendix 2 also explains the Lands Department's notes on applying for a lease modification or waiver. This means that a property's lease terms may affect an application for tutoring school registration, for example whether the permitted use allows an educational institution to operate. If the permitted use does not cover educational institutions, an application may need to be made to the Lands Department for a lease modification or waiver, commonly called a "waiver application"; this takes time, so it should be dealt with early.
In addition, if a tutoring centre is taken over, the new shareholders or operators should note whether the existing registration remains valid and whether a fresh application or change of registration details is needed. A takeover involves not only equipment and students but also registration status and tenancy obligations, so it is advisable to check with the Education Bureau first.
As for equipment, a tutoring centre's classrooms, fire safety equipment and hygiene facilities may all affect the outcome of a registration application. Appendix 3 of the guidance notes sets out the Fire Services Department's fire safety requirements, Appendix 7 sets out the Department of Health's health requirements, and Appendix 8 deals with the safety certificate. These requirements are directly related to equipment and premises conditions and form part of the overall "licence requirements". Operators should allow enough time to check each item.
This article does not provide a specific licence application agency service or recommend any organisation; it only explains general points to note according to the Education Bureau's guidance notes. Actual applications involve several departments, so it is advisable to allow enough time and read the guidance notes carefully.
After verifying registration: courses, teaching staff and fees
Registration concerns premises and basic standards, but whether tutoring suits your child also depends on whether the course matches what is being taught at school. For primary maths, for example, parents can see whether the class organises topics by year level and whether there are clear worked examples and practice arrangements, rather than relying only on doing lots of past papers. At secondary level, especially for students preparing for the HKDSE, parents should note whether the course covers the whole senior secondary maths syllabus and whether it systematically revisits junior secondary foundations.
On teaching staff, parents can ask about tutors' academic backgrounds, teaching experience and the year levels they are responsible for, and whether the tutor is fixed. If a tutoring centre promotes itself with "star tutors", parents should ask for specific details rather than judging by promotional wording alone. They should also note that a tutoring centre's tutor arrangements may differ from its promotion, so it is safer to ask clearly before enrolling.
On fees, prices for tutoring in Hong Kong vary widely and are usually charged per lesson, per month or per term, and the fee models for small classes, private tutoring, home tutoring and online tutoring also differ. Parents should first ask clearly how fees are calculated, including lesson length, arrangements for leave or make-up lessons, material fees and sundry charges, and confirm this in writing or by message. Actual amounts vary by district, year level, class size and tutor qualifications, and this article does not list them individually.
Parents can also note the reminders of the Consumer Council. The Consumer Council has long monitored various consumer transactions, including fees and contract terms for educational services; before signing a long-term course contract or paying a large sum in advance, you should read the terms on refunds, class transfers and termination of courses carefully.
As for a tutoring centre's "income" or operating costs, these are business considerations for the operator and are not directly relevant to parents choosing a tutoring centre, so this article does not discuss them. The parent's role is to understand whether the fees are reasonable and whether the terms are clear.
- Maths topics: Primary 1 to Secondary 6
- Maths tutoring guide: prices, how to choose, the 18 districts and online tutoring
Registration and key checks for different forms of tutoring
Tutoring can broadly be divided into several types: tutoring centres (lessons at a fixed location), private tutoring (one tutor to one or a few students), home tutoring (a tutor comes to the home or a specified place), online tutoring (teaching by video or platform), and correspondence courses (mainly self-study through mailed materials or online, with no necessarily real-time interaction between tutor and student). Different forms involve different regulations and key checks, and parents should adjust their questions according to the form.
Tutoring centres have fixed premises and involve building and fire safety, so they are more readily understood as tutoring schools under the registration system. When checking, parents should focus on whether the registered name, registered address and teaching location match, and whether the school is a registered school. Private tutoring and home tutoring do not necessarily operate as tutoring schools; the parent's role is more about understanding the tutor's background, teaching arrangements and payment method. For online tutoring, note platform use, lesson recordings and handling of personal data. For correspondence courses, because there is no real-time interaction, parents should pay particular attention to the quality of materials, assessment of learning progress and support arrangements.
Whatever the form, parents should keep enrolment materials, fee explanations and payment records. This not only protects you but also helps to explain the situation clearly if a dispute arises later. If advance payment is involved, be especially cautious and find out about refund arrangements first.
This article does not recommend any tutoring centre, tutoring platform, private tutor or school, nor does it evaluate any individual organisation. The comparison below only explains general key checks by form for parents to judge for themselves.
| Form | Suggested key checks |
|---|---|
| Tutoring centre | Whether the registered name and registered address match the teaching location; whether it is a registered school; rely on Education Bureau information |
| Private tutoring | Tutor's background and teaching arrangements; whether fees and leave arrangements are clear |
| Home tutoring | Arrangements for the teaching location; tutor's identity and payment records |
| Online tutoring | Platform use and handling of personal data; lesson arrangements and technical requirements |
| Correspondence courses | Quality and update frequency of materials; assessment of learning progress and support arrangements |
Free resources can be used alongside tutoring
Tutoring is not the only option. For maths, parents can first let their child build a foundation with free resources, then decide whether tutoring is really needed. Sprout Classroom (sproutclassroom.com) is a free Hong Kong maths learning website offering short courses from Primary 1 to Secondary 6, with a cartoon online teacher, Sprout, helping to explain. It has no tutoring centre and no human tutors, and is not recognised by the Education Bureau or the HKEAA; its role is to support learning, not to replace school lessons or tutoring.
Parents can combine them like this: first revisit the topics for the child's year level to identify the real weaknesses, then decide which part tutoring should focus on. At primary level, you can check topic by topic by year level; at secondary level, you can start from junior secondary foundations and gradually move on to senior secondary content. Students preparing for the HKDSE can also first revise with free topics, then save tutoring time for harder question types.
The advantage is that when talking to a tutoring centre, parents can explain specifically where their child is struggling, rather than deciding whether to enrol based on marks alone. The role of tutoring is to supplement learning, not to replace the student's own practice and thinking.
- Learn maths for free: Primary 1 to Secondary 6 learning mode (Sprout, free, no registration needed)
- Primary 6 maths topics, key points and examples
- Secondary 3 maths topics, key points and examples
- Secondary 6 maths topics, key points and examples
Frequently asked questions
Must a tutoring centre register with the Education Bureau?
The Education Bureau's "Information on applying for school registration" webpage is for new schools, and Appendix 8 of the "Guidance notes for new school registration (premises designed and constructed for non-school purposes)" deals with the safety certificate for registration applications for kindergartens and tutoring schools in premises designed and constructed for non-school purposes. To confirm the registration status of a particular tutoring school, parents should rely on information published by the Education Bureau and enquire with the Education Bureau directly.
How can parents check whether a tutoring centre is registered?
Rely on Education Bureau information and enquire with the Education Bureau directly; at the same time, ask the tutoring centre for written information such as its registered name and registered address, then compare it with the Education Bureau's records. Note that the promotional name, branch name and registered name may differ, distinguish "completed registration" from "application in progress", and confirm whether the institution is a registered school.
Which government departments are involved in tutoring school registration?
According to the Education Bureau's guidance notes, an application for school registration requires Forms 1 and 6, and applications on Form A1 to the Fire Services Department, Form A2 to the Buildings Department or Housing Department, Form L to the Lands Department and Form P to the Planning Department; amending plans also involves Forms B1, B2 and C1, C2. The appendices of the guidance notes also contain the relevant requirements of the Planning Department, Lands Department, Fire Services Department and Department of Health, with the Department of Health responsible for health requirements.
Does being registered mean the teaching quality is good?
No. The registration system concerns premises safety and basic standards and does not directly equate to teaching quality. Parents still need to understand whether the course matches school content, the tutor's background and arrangements, how fees are calculated, and the terms on leave, make-up lessons and refunds.
How much does tutoring roughly cost?
Tutoring fees in Hong Kong vary widely and are usually charged per lesson, per month or per term, and the models for small classes, private tutoring, home tutoring and online tutoring also differ. Parents should ask clearly about lesson length, material fees, sundry charges and refund arrangements; actual amounts vary by district, year level, class size and tutor qualifications.
What is the relationship between "schools" under the Education Ordinance and tutoring centres?
The Education Ordinance's definition of a "school" covers places that provide educational courses. If a tutoring centre provides educational courses within the meaning of the Ordinance, it may be subject to the school registration system. Parents should not judge by the organisation's name alone but should rely on the Education Bureau's records.