Interim Guidelines for Approving Schools and Training Programs

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Who provides education or training to workers?

A program must qualify as an approved provider under L&I's rules to provide education or training to workers per the Industrial Insurance Act. L&I must approve and issue a provider number before a school or training program is eligible for payment for services.

Education and training programs providing services in Washington State must conform to:

• L&I's orders, rules and policies, if any;
  and
• Other regulatory requirements in Washington State, to include:
  • Accreditation or licensing, when applicable.
  • Obtaining a Master Business License from the Washington Department of Licensing.
  • Registering with the Washington Department of Revenue.
  • Obtaining a charter from the Secretary of State’s Office if you will be operating a limited partnership or corporation.
  • Local ordinances governing businesses within the city or county where they will be operating.

Education and training programs providing services outside the state of Washington must conform to:

• The L&I's orders, rules and policies, if any;
  and
• All regulatory requirements and local ordinances within the state, city and county where they operate.

L&I may approve and issue a provider number to:

• An accredited school or program.
• A licensed school or program.
• An apprenticeship program approved through the Washington State Apprenticeship Training Council.
• A training program listed on the Washington State Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board's Eligible Training Provider List or a list from a similar agency in another state.
• Other nonaccredited or unlicensed programs approved by L&I. Nonaccredited and unlicensed programs must file a separate application and be approved by L&I before a provider number can be issued.

Failure to comply with the L&I's orders, rules and policies or other regulatory requirements may result in the termination of the provider number.

What factors will L&I consider when determining if a nonaccredited or unlicensed program will be approved?

L&I may consider any of the following factors, when relevant:

• Number of programs and description of each programs offered.
• Title of the job(s) the student will qualify for upon completion of the training.
• Certificates or licenses student will obtain on completion of the training.
• Work skills to be obtained.
• Total number of training hours or credits necessary to meet the minimum requirements of each job, with a breakdown of the hours assigned to various skills or classes required.
• Minimum qualifications, pre-requisites, education, certification or licensing required before starting the program.
• Job requirements or restrictions, such as physical requirements, prior education, background checks.
• Total cost of the training for each program, including tuition, books, supplies and fees.
• Cost of training hours or credits compared to the cost of training hours or credits at a community college or other licensed/accredited school.
• Reimbursement policy.
• Duration of the training, to include, begin and end dates.
• Curriculum.
• Location of the facility. The facility must comply with ADA requirements.
• Availability of equipment.
• Qualifications of instructors.
• Method for recording and reporting the training or classes completed.
• Process for grading and evaluating whether the student is obtaining the skills needed to perform the job.
• Attendance and behavior policies.
• Labor market for each program offered.
• Program completion rate.
• Job placement rate.

Nonaccredited and unlicensed programs requesting a provider number must submit completed applications and supporting documentation to:

Private Sector Rehabilitation Services
Department of Labor and Industries
PO Box 44326
Olympia, WA 98504-44326.

Phone: 360-902-6756.