What is a school registration license in Hong Kong?

Under the Education Ordinance (Cap. 279), a school must be registered or provisionally registered with the Education Bureau (EDB) before operating. This applies to kindergartens, tutorial centres, learning centres and non-local curriculum schools.

Can you buy a school license in Hong Kong?

You acquire the registered school entity via share transfer, then update the registered manager and premises particulars with the Education Bureau. Premises must continue to meet EDB requirements.

How long does school registration take?

A fresh EDB registration involves premises approval, manager approval and inspections — commonly 3-6 months or longer. Acquiring an already-registered entity via share transfer is substantially faster.

Does a tutorial centre need school registration?

Yes. If the centre provides instruction to 8 or more persons (or 20+ in a single lesson for non-formal curriculum), it must be registered as a school under Cap. 279.

School Registration License (EDB) in Hong Kong

A school registration license is the registration a school must hold under the Education Ordinance (Cap. 279), regulated by the Education Bureau (EDB). Tutorial centres, kindergartens, learning centres, language schools and non-local curriculum schools all need it before opening. Operating an unregistered school is a criminal offence.

Who Needs School Registration

Tutorial centres / cram schools offering instruction to 8 or more persons
Kindergartens and child care centres offering educational courses
Language, arts, STEM and hobby learning centres crossing the registration threshold
Schools offering non-local curricula (e.g. IGCSE, AP) to students

New Registration vs Buying a Registered Entity

Factor	Buy Registered Entity	Register New
Timeline	3–5 weeks (share transfer + EDB update)	3–6+ months (premises + manager + inspection)
Premises approval	Already approved premises on record	Fresh EDB premises approval required
Manager approval	Update registered manager with EDB	New fit-person application
Certainty	Registration already granted	Refusal / conditions possible

How the Transfer Works

Enquiry & NDA — receive registration details under NDA
Due diligence — verify EDB registration, premises conditions and compliance history
Share transfer — acquire the company operating the registered school
EDB updates — update the registered manager and any premises particulars
Operate — continue meeting EDB conditions (staffing, safety, class sizes)

Ongoing Requirements

Premises must continue to meet EDB standards (safety, space per pupil)
A fit and proper registered manager must be in place at all times
Fee charges and changes may require EDB notification
Annual compliance with EDB conditions and inspections

Easy Biz currently has registered school entities on offer, alongside Money Lender (MLO HK$130,000), SFC licensed corporations, Section 88 charities and more. Visit our Star House office in TST to see real documents face-to-face.

Licenses on offer right now

Money Lender (MLO) HK$130,000 · Charity (Section 88) · School Registration (EDB) · SFC Type 1/4/9 & 4+9 · TCSP · MSO · Travel Agent · Employment Agency · EAA

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