A tutoring contract is a legal agreement between a tutor and their client or hiring party that outlines the responsibilities of each. It places these responsibilities in writing to protect the rights of all involved and hold each party accountable for their actions. It helps handle issues like tutoring schedules, subject matter, and even cancellations.
This agreement sets reasonable expectations for both the tutor and the student. A contract reduces the possibility of conflict and aids both sides in getting the full value of their bargain. A tutoring contract template can help you get started crafting your agreement.
Your tutor contract should specify all of the details of your work and your expectations for each other. This should include:
Licensing requirements differ from state to state and may vary depending on what you are teaching. Your tutoring contract will outline what services you provide. It is your responsibility to know whether a license is required to teach that subject matter.
For example, many states require a valid teaching license if you tutor in K-12 subject areas. Licensing requirements for college-level teaching or specialized instruction differ greatly depending on what you teach. You should consult your state’s requirements or ask an attorney whether you require a license to be a tutor.
You can follow these useful tips on how to write a tutoring contract:
Your tutoring contract should include the identifying information for the tutor, the client, and the hiring party. Unlike most contracts, the client is often not the party paying for the services. This is typically the case when a parent hires a tutor for their child. The child is the client and should be identified in the contract.
Identifying information should include:
Tutors typically teach on a set schedule. For example, a tutor may come every Tuesday and Thursday from 4 PM to 6 PM. If so, the contract should clearly establish what days and times each week the tutor is expected to teach. You can create and set whatever schedule you wish, so long as you both agree. You can even incorporate flexibility into your schedule if you desire.
The agreement should also outline how long the agreement lasts. You may decide to contract for a particular number of tutoring sessions. You might instead set a termination date, at which time you can choose to end or renew the agreement. Some contracts are ongoing and require a party to terminate the contract in some way, usually with notice.
Your tutoring contract should clearly define what the tutor will teach. It should explain what knowledge the tutor has, whether a special license is required, and any other relevant information to teaching that particular subject matter.
The tutoring agreement should define the amount of compensation and how it should be paid. This is most commonly done with a per-hour or per-session rate. It should also define when payment is due to the tutor.
If the tutoring client is a minor, the contract should include a child protection clause. It outlines the tutor’s duties and obligations surrounding the child and any special procedures to protect the child.
Your tutoring agreement should include a signature section. This should have an area where you and the hiring party sign the agreement and date it. Each of you should keep copies of the signed contract for your records.
You can download a tutoring contract sample in Word or PDF here.
