About
OBPVS Board
By law, the Oklahoma Board of Private Vocational Schools ("OBPVS") Board may consist of up to nine members. Six are appointed by the Governor. Four represent schools of the type licensed by the Agency, and two come from business and industry not connected with private schools. The final three are designees for the leaders of other State Agencies (the Chancellor of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. [Title 70 O.S. §21-102.]
The OBPVS is a proud partner of the Oklahoma Works program. Oklahoma Works brings all of our state’s workforce resources together, connecting employers, employees and job-seekers to information and programs that help build Oklahoma’s workforce.
The mission of the OBPVS is to establish, measure, and enforce standards of compliance through licensure of private vocational schools in order to support institutions, protect students, and meet workforce development needs.
The history of the OBPVS began with creation by statute July 1, 1970. The purpose of the agency is to license, regulate, and set standards for operation of private schools that conduct occupational training. Prior to 1982, fiscal responsibility for the Board was held by the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs. In 1982, the OBPVS became a free-standing state agency.
The Agency is funded by a combination of statutorily-set Fees and partial Appropriations. Other than copy charges, Fees are paid by School Applicants and Licensed Schools. Where possible, Fees are determined by School activity levels and/or the extent of OBPVS Staff processing efforts.
Statutory Authorities
By law, under Title 70 O.S. §21-102.1, the OBPVS is assigned multiple authorities that range from:
- Fixing minimum standards for the licensure and operation of private schools, i.e. giving State Authorization
- Providing license application forms to interested persons
- Approving or disapproving applications for license, license renewal, or exemption
- Issuing licenses of State Authorization that may be required to be documented for an entity to apply for Federal Title IV Funding, independent Accreditation, or to contract with various State Agencies to serve the clients of those other Agencies
- Collecting data to assist the Agency Mission or to carry on the state's workforce development efforts
- Promulgating Rules to carry on its responsibilities
- Providing annual compliance training for licensed schools
- Making use of various inter-state Reciprocity Agreements to perform efficient regulation
- Prescribing penalties in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act
- Certifying electronic or hard-copy OBPVS records
- Requiring entities to repay fees for returned payments
- Appointing a Director to carry out routine Agency business and to execute contracts
- Developing and presenting optional training for school personnel continuing development and processes
- Conducting announced or unannounced site visits to schools, and invoicing the related and permitted travel fees
- Carrying out other duties, as necessary to license schools
