MOE License Application Services
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.
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
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.
Tuition Centre
PEIs that provide academic guidance and exam prep for students based on national curriculum.
Features & Requirements:
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Registered Enterprise, LLP, or Sdn. Bhd.
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Name must start with 'Pusat Tuisyen'
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Paid-up capital of RM10,000
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Shareholding of 30% Bumiputera (if Sdn. Bhd.), 70% Local / Foreign
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Local syllabus only (KSSR / KSSM)
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Student age range of 7 – 17 years old
*Must meet requirements for Principal, Chairman, governors, and teachers
Language Centre
PEIs that provide short-term language courses not exceeding 3 months or 20 credit hours per level.
Features & Requirements:
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Registered Sdn Bhd
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Name must start with 'Pusat Bahasa'
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Paid-up capital of RM100,000
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Shareholding of 30% Bumiputera (if Sdn. Bhd.), 70% Local / Foreign
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Language-based courses only
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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:
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Registered Sdn Bhd
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Name must start with 'Pusat Latihan'
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Paid-up capital of RM50,000
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Shareholding of 30% Bumiputera (if Sdn. Bhd.), 70% Local / Foreign
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Technical and vocational courses
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Student age range of 16+ for Malaysians
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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:
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Registered Enterprise, LLP, or Sdn. Bhd.
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Name must start with 'Tadika'
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Paid-up capital of RM10,000
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100% Malaysian ownership (Sdn Bhd must have 30% Bumiputera)
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National Preschool Curriculum (KSPK)
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Malay must be taught if other language is used
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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.
FAQs
An MOE license is a Private Educational Institution (PEI) which refers to any private business offering early childhood, primary, secondary, or short-term educational programmes in Malaysia. All PEIs are regulated under the Education Act 1996 and overseen by the Ministry of Education (MOE).
An MOE license is required for:
- Tuition centres
- Kindergartens
- Language centres
- Training centres (technical/vocational)
- Private schools and international schools
- Tuition centres: Academic support for school subjects
- Kindergartens (Tadika): Early childhood education (ages 4–6)
- Language centres: Short-term language courses (can hire foreign teachers)
- Training centres: Technical/vocational courses (Malaysian trainers only)
Only registered business entities can apply, typically in the form of a Sdn Bhd though SSM Enterprises are permitted for some types of education businesses.
No, foreigners cannot fully own PEIs and are restricted to 20%–51% equity subject to Free Trade Agreements.
This means they must partner with a Malaysian, and additionally at least 30% Bumiputera shareholding is required in many types of PEIs.
Paid-up capital depends on the type of PEI:
- General range: RM10,000 to RM1,000,000
- Language centres: RM50,000 – RM100,000
- Training centres: RM50,000 minimum
- Tuition centres / kindergartens: RM10,000 minimum
Most PEIs require:
- A Principal (Malaysian)
- A Board of governors
- In some cases, a Chairman
Requirements may include:
- Teaching Permit
- Relevant qualifications and experience
Depends on the PEI:
- Not generally allowed in tuition centres teaching national syllabus
- Allowed in language centres and international schools
- Generally not allowed in training centres
- Must hold valid permits
Typical timeline is 6–8 months for MOE approval and 10–11 months total for other licensing requirements.
General steps:
- Incorporate company (SSM)
- Apply for MOE license
- Undergo MOE assessment and inspections
- Receive approval
This doesn’t include an equally vital next step which is applying for premise and signboard licenses from the Local Authority.
Common requirements include:
- Company incorporation documents
- Premise ownership or tenancy agreement
- Layout plans
- Curriculum details
- Details of principal, teachers, and governors
Typically 2 – 5 years depending on PEI category.
Got an URGENT question?
Contact us via [email protected] or WhatsApp +60-175159832