Registering a Private Certification, Part 1: Required Documents and Application Process | Kolleges

How to apply for a private certification for educational institutions and sole proprietors

“What if I could issue my own training program as an official certification?”
If you run an educational institution, work as an instructor, or operate as a sole proprietor, you’ve probably wondered about this at some point.
Private certifications can be registered through the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education & Training’s Private Qualification Information Service, after which they can be officially issued and operated.

This post walks through the private certification registration process, required documents, and key precautions in one place.

✅ Private certification registration application process

Private certification registration can only be applied for between the 1st and 20th of each month, and you must submit a completed Private Qualification Management and Operations Regulation.

1. Access the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education & Training’s “Private Qualification Information Service”

2. Complete the online application form and upload documents

3. Submit the management and operations regulation

4. Registration complete after review

📌 Note: If submitted documents are incomplete, you may receive a request for revision — prepare thoroughly in advance.

✅ Required documents for private certification registration

The documents you need to prepare before signing up are as follows.

Signup stage

• Official (joint) certificate

• One copy of business registration certificate or unique number certificate

• One copy of resident registration abstract for the individual or unregistered group representative

• List of assessment facilities and equipment, plus proof of ownership or lease (real estate register or lease agreement)

Registration application stage

• Official (joint) certificate

• One copy of the Private Qualification Management and Operations Regulation

✅ How to sign up

1. Access the Private Qualification Information Service website (www.pqi.or.kr)

2. Click “Sign up” → agree to the terms

3. Enter your business registration number, then your institution and representative information

4. Attach the prepared documents

5. Enter your business contact information and register your joint certificate

6. Signup complete

✅ Private certification registration requirements and restrictions

Anyone can register a private certification, but registration is not allowed in the following cases.

• Fields prohibited by law

• Fields directly tied to citizens’ life, health, safety, or national defense

• Fields that harm social order or public morals

• Fields deemed unsuitable by presidential decree

✅ Checking whether a certification name is available

1. Click “Search registered private qualifications” on the website

2. Enter the certification name and check for identical or similar names

3. Confirm with the relevant ministry if necessary

✅ Drafting the Private Qualification Management and Operations Regulation

This regulation is the key document the relevant ministry uses to determine whether registration is possible. Required items include:

• Certification subject and grade

• Job description, assessment criteria, subjects, methods, eligibility

• Status of assessment personnel

• Management and operations organization

• Procedures for verifying applicant identity

📩 Apply for Kolleges’ free consultation, and we’ll provide an operations regulation sample and drafting guide tailored to the certification type.
Leave a note on the contact page that says “Request private certification sample document.”

In Part 2, we’ll cover how to handle document revision requests and tips for the application.
👉 “Successful private certification registration, together with Kolleges.”