Indiana career school institutional bonds.
From $100. $25,000 statutory.

Indiana’s proprietary career and technical schools must file an institutional surety bond with the Department of Workforce Development’s Office for Career and Technical Schools (OCTS). The statutory amount is $25,000 under IC 22-4.1-21 — the premium is 1% of the bond amount, $100 minimum, and the application collects no credit information.

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Required of a proprietary career or technical school regulated by the DWD’s OCTS

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Statutory penal sum is $25,000 under IC 22-4.1-21 — confirm any higher figure on your accreditation

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1% of the bond amount, $100 minimum — enter your required bond amount and see your exact price at application

1% rate$100 minimumInstantapproval for mostNo SSNin the application

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How it works

Three steps. One sitting.

No underwriting queue for the standard institutional bond — enter your amount, pay, and file with OCTS. Here is the whole thing:

TODAY · ONLINE

Apply online

Your school’s details, the bond amount ($25,000 statutory), and the effective date — that is the entire application.

INSTANTLY

Issued on the spot

The application collects no credit information, so most applicants issue as soon as they pay. Larger amounts may get a quick review.

SAME DAY

File with OCTS

Submit the executed bond with your accreditation application or renewal to the Office for Career and Technical Schools. Wet-ink originals mailed on request.

About this bond

What it is and who needs it.

What the institutional bond actually guarantees

Indiana regulates non-degree, proprietary career and technical schools through the Department of Workforce Development’s Office for Career and Technical Schools (OCTS) under IC 22-4.1-21. Accreditation is conditioned on an institutional surety bond, payable to the State of Indiana.

The bond is a student-protection guarantee: it stands behind the tuition and fees students pay, so that if a school closes or fails to deliver the education it sold, students can be made whole. The statute sets the bond at $25,000 for the institutions it covers.

It is not insurance for the school — if the surety pays a claim, the school repays the surety. The bond is one piece of the OCTS financial-stability requirements (alongside the student assurance fund). We issue the amount your accreditation requires; pricing starts from $100 and the application collects no credit information.

IC 22-4.1-21 (DWD, Office for Career and Technical Schools)Under IC 22-4.1-21, Indiana proprietary career and technical (non-degree) schools are accredited by the Department of Workforce Development’s Office for Career and Technical Schools and must file an institutional surety bond, payable to the State of Indiana, to protect students’ tuition and fees. The statutory amount is $25,000. Degree-granting, credit-bearing proprietary institutions are instead overseen under IC 21-18.5 — confirm which applies and the exact amount on your accreditation.

You need this bond if you are

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A proprietary career or technical school seeking OCTS accreditation in Indiana

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Renewing accreditation whose institutional bond is expiring or non-renewing

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Opening a new campus that OCTS conditions on an institutional bond

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A trade, beauty, or vocational school regulated by the DWD’s OCTS

One application, issued on the spot.

Submit the application with your required bond amount ($25,000 statutory) — the executed bond is generated instantly, ready to file with OCTS.

Start the application →

FAQ

Common questions.

How much is the Indiana career school institutional bond?The statutory amount is $25,000, and the premium is 1% of the bond amount, $100 minimum. If your accreditation requires a higher figure, enter it and your exact price appears at the application.

Who requires it?The Department of Workforce Development’s Office for Career and Technical Schools (OCTS), under IC 22-4.1-21, as a condition of accrediting a proprietary career or technical school. It protects students’ tuition and fees.

Is this the same as the degree-granting school bond?Not necessarily. OCTS (IC 22-4.1-21) covers non-degree proprietary career/technical schools at $25,000. Degree-granting, credit-bearing proprietary institutions are overseen under IC 21-18.5 with their own requirements. Confirm which applies to your school.

Is there a credit check?The application collects no credit information, so most applicants issue instantly. It won’t affect your credit score.

What does the bond protect against?It protects students’ prepaid tuition and fees if the school closes or fails to deliver the education it sold. The bond is payable to the State of Indiana for their benefit, and if the surety pays, the school repays the surety.

Which A-rated carriers underwrite these bonds?Typically Arch Insurance Company (A.M. Best A+) or Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (A.M. Best A). Which one writes your bond depends on the bond type and your state. The carrier's name and official signature are printed on the bond you receive.

How do I contact Light RFP about this bond?Email insurance@lightrfp.com. It reaches the bond team at Light RFP Risk Management Services LLC (NY DFS License # PC-1978982). Write to us about quotes, applications, bond forms or certificates. We will respond within 24 hours.

Related bonds

Other Indiana bonds.

Institutional bond, issued today.

Pricing from $100. Enter your amount ($25,000 statutory) and file with OCTS the same day.

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Your premiumfrom $100

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