TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) is learning and training which provides knowledge and skills for work. TVET uses formal, non-formal and informal learning. TVET is recognized to be a crucial vehicle for social equity, inclusion, and sustainable development. In Kenya, Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) is the body responsible for accrediting TVET institutions and approving managers of institutions and new programs. That said, let’s now jump to our main topic and that is how to register a TVET institution in Kenya.
Requirements to Register a TVET institution
Ensure you have the following requirements as you embark on registering a TVET institution.
- Reserved business name search
- Invoice for the name search
- Copy of KRA PIN for the Director(s)
- Copy of ID for the Director(s)
- Duly filled and signed BN2 form
Registration fees
The Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority charges the following fees for the services it renders.
a. Inspection of local institutions for registration, accreditation and licensing for 5 years
This fee includes accreditation of up to 10 programs in the initial application.
| No. | Inspection for Registration | Amount |
| 1. | National Polytechnics | Ksh 30,000 |
| 2. | Teacher Trainer Colleges | Ksh 30,000 |
| 3. | Technical and Vocational Colleges | Ksh 20,000 |
| 4. | Vocational Training Centers | Ksh 5,000 |
b. Fees for accreditation of additional local programs (fee per course)
| No. | Level | Amount |
| 1. | Trade Test | Ksh 3,000 |
| 2. | Artisan | Ksh 3,000 |
| 3. | Craft | Ksh 5,000 |
| 4. | Diploma | Ksh 5,000 |
| 5. | Higher/Advanced Diploma | Ksh 5,000 |
c. Fees for accredited institutions
| Fee | Amount |
| Expansion of Student Enrolment | National Polytechnic |
| Change of Name/Ownership /Management | Ksh 5,000 |
| Expansion of student enrolment | |
| National Polytechnic | Ksh 20,000 |
| Technical and Vocational College | Ksh 15,000 |
| Vocational Training Centre | Ksh 5,000 |
| Renewal after five years upon expiry of a certificate | |
| National Polytechnic | Ksh 15,000 |
| Technical and Vocational College | Ksh 10,000 |
| Vocational Training Centre | Ksh 3,000 |
| Annual quality assurance fee per student enrolled | Ksh 500 |
d. Accreditation of foreign institutions
| Evaluation for Accreditation Application | Amount |
| Evaluation of documentation | $1,500 |
| Accreditation per program | $300 |
e. Registration and licensing of trainers
Trainers will be expected to undertake skills professional development or relevant industrial working experience to renew license.
| Item | Amount |
| Initial registration and licensing | Ksh 1,000 |
| Renewal of license after three years | Ksh 500 |
f. Reassessment of an institution due to an appeal
For a case where the reassessment report confirms the earlier report to be true.
| Category | Percentage of the registration fee |
| National Polytechnics | 100% |
| Teacher Trainer Colleges | 100% |
| Technical and Vocational Colleges | 100% |
| Vocational Training Centers | 100% |
g. Recognition and equation of qualifications
| Category | Service charge |
| Application charges for Recognition and Equation of Qualification (REQ) by the holder of a skills certificate or diploma award | Ksh 5,000 |
| Subsequent application charges for REQ on the same certificate or diploma award by the holder of the Certificate or a Diploma | Ksh 3,000 |
| Application charges for Recognition and Equation of Qualification (REQ) by the holder of the Certificate or Diploma express services (same day service) | Ksh 10,000 |
| Application charges for REQ by prospective employers or any other body within the Republic of Kenya | Ksh 10,000 |
| Application charges by a prospective employer or any other body outside the jurisdiction of the Republic of Kenya per application | $300 |
Payment process
Use either of the following methods to pay for your TVET institution registration.
a. M-Pesa
- Go to the Mpesa menu
- Select payment services
- Choose the Pay Bill option
- Enter 894135 as the business number
- Enter your full name as the account number
- Enter the amount
- Enter your PIN and press OK
b. Bank
A/C Name: Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority
A/C No.: 1212502450
Bank: Kenya Commercial Bank
Branch: Kipande House
ALSO, READ, List of Top 10 Best Colleges in Kenya
Procedure to Register a TVET institution
Here is the application process you should follow to have your TVET institution registered in Kenya.
- Undertake a business name search from the Registrar of companies via eCitizen
- Obtain a ‘letter of no objection’ on the suitability of the name from TVETA
- Register the Business name with the office of the Registrar of Companies
- Download the TVETA application forms for accreditation of institution, manager, trainer, approval of programs, foreign institution and checklist here
- Submit complete application documents to TVETA offices located at Utalii House 8th floor
- An accreditation officer will check the documents and compute the amount to be paid
- You will then be required to pay the amount through M-Pesa or TVETA bank account
- After making payment the applicant will complete a registration form in duplicate as evidence of having submitted their application. An acknowledgment letter will then be sent to the applicant
- The institution will be scheduled for inspection and a team of assessors will visit and inspect the institution for compliance with set standards. The assessors will prepare an inspection report which will be presented to TVETA Board
- Resolution of the Board based on evaluation of the inspection report shall be;
- Approve registration and licensing of the institution
- Reject the application
- Request the Institution to improve within six months
- The applicant is notified on results of the TVETA Board resolution within 3 months from the date of submission of a fully compliant application documents
- TVETA will issue training licenses to qualified institutions and maintain a register of the institutions and programs approved.
- At this point, the accreditation process is complete, and an institution will be issued with a registration certificate and training license
