School Oversight Program

Quality retraining gives workers the knowledge and skills they need to successfully return to work.

Because quality matters, the School Oversight Program evaluates prospective schools, monitors current L&I training providers, responds to inquiries and concerns, and collaborates with stakeholders to improve worker experience.

See other tabs to learn more about:

Training Options for Workers
Choosing a Training Provider
Resources for Training Providers
Become an L&I Training Provider

Need Help?

If you still have questions or you want to share a comment or concern, please email us at SchoolOversightProgram@lni.wa.gov.

Training Options for Workers

When a worker qualifies for vocational retraining, they identify a job goal and develop a retraining plan with their vocational rehabilitation counselor (VRC). The training provider/school must be pre-approved by L&I. The VRC also helps the worker understand the vocational process and their training options. The VRC submits the plan to L&I for approval.

Once approved, the worker has two options:

Vocational Option 1

  • The worker can choose the L&I-approved retraining plan and continue working with the VRC.
  • Retraining funds are available and the worker has up to 2 years to complete their plan.

Vocational Option 2

  • The worker can choose the L&I approved plan or develop their own educational path.
  • The school or training provider must be an approved L&I provider. L&I does not need to approve the curriculum.
  • Retraining funds are available and the worker has up to 5 years to use the funds.
  • Workers can use up to 10% of their funds to hire a VRC to assist them with developing a plan and/or finding a job.

For more information

    Choosing a Training Provider

    Schools and training providers have an important role in helping workers successfully return to work. They deliver the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for a student to get and keep a job in their chosen field.

    For L&I to pay for retraining services:

    These apply to workers who chose Option 1 or Option 2 and have a State Fund or Self-Insured claim.

    • The school or training program must be pre-approved as an L&I training provider.
    • All approved training providers are either licensed, accredited, or exempt from licensure.
    • Exempt providers must meet specific requirements prior to L&I approval.
    • Approved providers can bill L&I for a worker’s tuition and/or expenses.
    • L&I cannot reimburse workers or VRCs for tuition.

    Click below to skip to a specific topic

    Find an L&I Approved Training Provider

    If a school or training program is not listed, see the tab titled Become an L&I Training Provider.

    What to look for when choosing a school or training program

    The purpose of a training program is to equip the worker with the knowledge, skills, and abilities they need to be successful in the workforce. To identify schools and training programs that prepare workers for vocational success, you can:

    • Review school catalogs for entrance, performance, and completion standards. Review student policies and expectations. Look for information relevant to the worker’s training and job goal and for student services like job placement assistance.
    • Confirm the training program delivers the education and skills required for the job goal. When possible, get completion and placement rates for the training program.
    • If a job goal requires a professional license, confirm the school prepares students to apply for and take the licensing examination.
    • Use L&I's Best Practices Guidelines when evaluating training programs.

    Resources in Washington State

    The resources below have a wealth of information about careers, job hunting, and training programs. Out-of-state schools may have different resources and/or licensing requirements.

    Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board

    The Workforce Board (WTB) provides a variety of student services, tracks accredited schools in Washington State, and licenses some private schools. They have:

    Washington State Department of Licensing

    DOL oversees many professions by licensing individual practitioners, professional exam administrators, and schools.

    WorkSource

    WorkSource is a partnership of state and local agencies and nonprofit organizations that provides an array of employment and training services to job seekers and employers.

    • Any worker, regardless of claim status, can access resources and receive assistance at any WorkSource location. For services tailored to injured workers, contact L&I's Vocational Services Specialists co-located at WorkSource Centers around the state.
    • Services include:
      • Skill assessments, information about occupations, high-demand occupations, a budget calculator, and up-to-date labor market trends.
      • Job search assistance including resume writing, interviewing techniques, hiring events, and job postings.
      • Assistance with Option 2 plans and On-the-Job Training (OJT).
      • Access to community resources and referrals to other WorkSource partners and programs.
    Washington State Board of Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC)

    SBCTC advocates, coordinates and directs Washington State’s system of 34 public community and technical colleges.

    Among other information, you can learn about:

    Other resources

    If you have a question, comment, or concern

    Please email us at SchoolOversightProgram@lni.wa.gov.

    Resources for Training Providers

    To apply for an L&I provider account, see the tab titled Become a Training Provider.

    Bill L&I for training services

    Current L&I training providers can bill L&I for training services when a worker has an authorized vocational retraining plan.

    To help you bill correctly and avoid payment delays, see:

      Who do I bill?
      • Bill L&I if the student has a State Fund claim.
      • Bill the Self-Insured employer if the student’s claim number begins with S, T, or W. For more information, check with your student’s Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC). If the student has an Option 2 plan, call 360.902.9135 or email AskVIP@lni.wa.gov.
      • Do not bill the student or the VRC for tuition. L&I cannot reimburse them.

      How much can I bill?

      • Bill within the dollar limits and date spans identified on the student’s L&I approved Encumbrance Form (Option 1) or Authorization Letter (Option 2).
      • Do not bill more than you would any other student for the same program.

      Managing account and provider information

      • Confirm the System Administrator for your school account. The System Administrator is the person at your school who manages your ProviderOne Account.
      • Log into ProviderOne.wa.gov.
      • Some changes to your provider information may require a new account number and affect payment. 
        • A new application is needed if you are changing your Tax ID, billing address, or adding a new location. Visit the tab titled Become a Training Provider for instructions.
        • If you have questions about your account, email pacmail@lni.wa.gov.

      What we expect of schools and training programs

      The purpose of a training program is to equip the worker with the knowledge, skills, and abilities they need to be successful in the workforce.

      All training providers must:
      • Maintain their licensing or accreditation standing (if the L&I account was established based on their license or accreditation).
      • Have an admission policy that allows all qualified members of the public to be candidates, not just L&I workers.
      • Comply with all regulations governing their education and business operations.
      • Maintain documentation on student completion and placement rates.
      Schools and training programs are encouraged to:
      • Publish school catalogs. Describe objective standards including entrance requirements, how progress is measured, and completion criteria. Identify all costs and policies about refunds and cancelations.
      • Provide other information for prospective students such as academic calendars, curriculum, class size, facilities, faculty qualifications, and student behavior expectations.
      • Offer student support services such as tutoring and job placement assistance.
      • Confirm the training program delivers the education and skills required for the job goal and share completion and placement rates for the training program.
      • If a job goal requires a professional license, ensure the training program prepares students to apply for and take the licensing examination.
      • Apply L&I's Best Practices Guidelines.

      Questions?

      Contact the SchoolOversightProgram@lni.wa.gov.

      Become a Training Provider

      Workers with an approved training plan are entitled to specific training benefits.

      Schools and training providers can bill L&I or the Self-Insured Employer for these training services if:

      • The worker has an L&I approved training plan that names the school.
      • The school has an L&I Training Provider account.

      Apply for an L&I Provider Account

      • Use the Enrollment Guide for Training Providers. These step-by-step instructions explain how to easily answer school-specific questions, which steps you can skip, what terms mean, and has a list of data you will need.
      • Start your ProviderOne application to apply for a provider account.
      • Upload all necessary documents before submitting your application.
        • Licensed or accredited schools: Provide documentation of the school’s licensing or accreditation status.
        • Unlicensed or non-accredited schools: Complete a Supplemental Application (F280-045-000).
      • Return to your application or check status by going to ProviderOne.
        • Enter your Application ID and either your Social Security Number (SSN) or your Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN, which is also called an EIN or Tax ID).
      Out of the country providers
      Check if you already have an L&I provider number
      Questions?

      Email us at SchoolOversightProgram@lni.wa.gov.