Education Business Compliance Checklist

State business license obtained

Register your business with the state and obtain a general business license.

Education-specific license or permit

Some states require specific permits for education or childcare businesses.

Local zoning approval

Verify your location is zoned for educational or childcare use.

EIN / Tax registration complete

Obtain an Employer Identification Number from the IRS.

DBA (Doing Business As) filed if applicable

File a DBA if operating under a name different from your legal entity.

General liability insurance

Minimum $1M coverage for property damage and bodily injury.

Professional liability (E&O) insurance

Protects against claims of negligence or errors in education delivery.

Workers' compensation insurance

Required in most states when you have employees.

Property insurance

Covers your facility, equipment, and materials against damage or theft.

Cyber liability insurance

Protects student and family data in case of a data breach.

Criminal background checks for all staff

Run state and federal background checks on every employee before they start.

Sex offender registry checks

Check all staff against the national sex offender registry.

Reference checks completed

Contact professional references for all teaching and care staff.

Fingerprinting (if required by state)

Some states require fingerprint-based background checks for childcare workers.

Ongoing screening policy in place

Establish a policy for periodic re-screening of existing staff.

Fire safety inspection passed

Annual fire safety inspection with up-to-date extinguishers and alarms.

Emergency evacuation plan posted

Visible evacuation routes and regular emergency drills.

First aid kits stocked and accessible

Maintain first aid supplies and ensure at least one staff member is certified.

Child-proofing measures (if applicable)

Age-appropriate safety measures for younger children.

Secure entry and sign-in/out procedures

Controlled access with sign-in/out logs for student safety.

Health and sanitation procedures

Regular cleaning schedules and illness prevention protocols.

Staff-to-student ratios meet state requirements

Verify and maintain proper ratios for your program type and age groups.

CPR/First Aid certified staff on-site

Ensure certified staff are present during all operating hours.

Staff training documentation maintained

Keep records of all staff training, certifications, and professional development.

Mandatory reporter training completed

All staff trained on recognizing and reporting child abuse or neglect.

Ongoing professional development plan

Annual training requirements and continuing education tracking.

Student data privacy policy in place

Written policy compliant with FERPA, COPPA, or applicable regulations.

Parental consent forms for data collection

Obtain written consent before collecting student information.

Secure data storage and backup procedures

Encrypted storage with regular backups for all student records.

Incident reporting procedures documented

Clear process for reporting accidents, injuries, or concerning behavior.

Annual compliance review scheduled

Schedule regular reviews of all compliance requirements and documentation.