MOE License Application & Renewal

For businesses registering Private Education Institutions (PEIs)

We handle all preparation, submissions, and renewals with SSM and MOE, ensuring you can begin operating as soon as possible.

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Our Services

We help education businesses apply for / renew the following licenses from the Malaysian Ministry of Education (MOE):

Tuition centre
Language centre
Vocational training centre
Kindergarten

For those yet to register a Malaysian business entity, we also help with company incorporation and PBT composite license applications.

MOE License Requirements

These are requirements education-based businesses should be prepared to meet:

Must be a registered business entity
Name must be education-related and preferably in Malay / English
Paid up capital (RM10,000 – RM1,000,000)
Management / ownership cannot be fully foreign-owned
Principal & teachers must be Malaysian, except international schools
Malaysian representation in board of governors
Teacher’s assistants must meet minimum age
Curriculum must follow approved syllabus
Students must be of correct age and recorded
Premises must have approval from technical agencies

Specifics vary based on type of education business.

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Tuition Centre
Language Centre
Training Centre
Kindergarten

Tuition Centre

PEIs that provide short-term language courses not exceeding 3 months or 20 credit hours per level.

Features & Requirements:

Registered Sdn Bhd
Name must start with ‘Pusat Bahasa’
Paid-up capital of RM100,000
Shareholding of 30% Bumiputera (if Sdn. Bhd.), 70% Local / Foreign
Language-based courses only
Student age range of 7 years and above

*Must meet requirement for principal,chariman and teacher.

Language Centre

PEIs that provide short-term language courses not exceeding 3 months or 20 credit hours per level.

Features & Requirements:

Registered Sdn Bhd
Name must start with ‘Pusat Bahasa’
Paid-up capital of RM100,000
Shareholding of 30% Bumiputera (if Sdn. Bhd.), 70% Local / Foreign
Language-based courses only
Student age range of 7 years and above

*Must meet requirements for Principal, Chairman, governors, and teachers

Training Centre

PEIs that provide short-term vocational and skill-based courses not exceeding 3 months or 20 credit hours per level.

Features & Requirements:

Registered Sdn Bhd
Name must start with ‘Pusat Latihan’
Paid-up capital of RM50,000
Shareholding of 30% Bumiputera (if Sdn. Bhd.), 70% Local / Foreign
Technical and vocational courses
Student age range of 16+ for Malaysians
Student age range of 18 – 45 years for international students

*Must meet requirements for Principal, Chairman, governors, and teachers

Kindergarten

PEIs that provide preschool education based on the National Preschool Standard Curriculum (KSPK)

Features & Requirements:

Registered Enterprise, LLP, or Sdn. Bhd.
Name must start with ‘Tadika’
Paid-up capital of RM10,000
100% Malaysian ownership (Sdn Bhd must have 30% Bumiputera)
National Preschool Curriculum (KSPK)
Malay must be taught if other language is used
Student age of 4 – 6 years old

*Must meet requirements for Principal, Chairman, governors, and teachers

License Renewal

Depending on the category of PEI, MOE licenses are valid from 2 – 5 years and can be renewed through the same channels as the initial application provided all other requirements are met.

Upon renewal, the license is valid for a further two to five years depending on the PEI category and discretion of the MOE officer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an MOE license?

An MOE license is required for a Private Educational Institution (PEI) offering early childhood, primary, secondary, or short-term educational programmes in Malaysia. PEIs are regulated under the Education Act 1996 and overseen by the Ministry of Education.

What types of education businesses require an MOE license?

An MOE license is generally required for:

Tuition centres
Kindergartens
Language centres
Technical or vocational training centres
Private and international schools

What is the difference between tuition, language, training centres, and kindergartens?

Tuition centres: Academic support for school subjects
Kindergartens (Tadika): Early childhood education for children aged four to six
Language centres: Short-term language courses that may employ foreign teachers
Training centres: Technical or vocational courses generally conducted by Malaysian trainers

Who can apply for an MOE license in Malaysia?

Only registered business entities may apply. Most applicants operate through a Sdn Bhd, although an SSM Enterprise may be accepted for certain types of educational businesses.

Can foreigners own an education business in Malaysia?

Foreigners generally cannot wholly own a Private Educational Institution. Foreign equity is commonly limited to between 20% and 51%, subject to applicable trade agreements. A Malaysian partner and, for certain PEIs, at least 30% Bumiputera shareholding may be required.

What is the minimum paid-up capital required?

The required paid-up capital depends on the type of institution:

General range: RM10,000–RM1,000,000
Language centres: RM50,000–RM100,000
Training centres: Minimum RM50,000
Tuition centres and kindergartens: Minimum RM10,000

What management structure is required for a PEI?

Most PEIs require a Malaysian principal and a board of governors. A chairman may also be required. Relevant personnel may need teaching permits, suitable qualifications, and appropriate experience.

Are foreign teachers allowed?

This depends on the institution:

Generally not permitted in tuition centres teaching the national syllabus
Permitted in language centres and international schools
Generally not permitted in training centres
Valid employment and teaching permits are required

How long does it take to obtain an MOE license?

MOE approval commonly takes six to eight months. Including other required licenses and approvals, the complete process may take approximately ten to eleven months.

What is the process to apply for an MOE license?

Register or incorporate the business with SSM
Submit the MOE license application
Complete the MOE assessment and inspections
Receive approval
Apply for the required premise and signboard licenses from the relevant local authority

What documents are required for an MOE license application?

Commonly required documents include: