Guidance and regulations
This page contains supporting information you need to complete the application process.
For guidance and support throughout the application process, contact your Regional IB office
Application procedure
All applicants should read the main document, plus the relevant programme guide. The guides to school application are intended to help the school prepare its application forms.
Application procedure for candidate schools [40KB, PDF]
Rules for IB World Schools
A legal document that sets out the relationship between the IB Organization and IB World Schools.
Rules for IB World Schools - Primary Years Programme (PYP) [68KB, PDF]
Rules for IB World Schools - Middle Years Programme (MYP) [75KB, PDF]
Rules for IB World Schools - Diploma Programme [75KB, PDF]
General regulations
A legal document that sets out the relationship between the IB Organization and IB students and their legal guardians.
General regulations - Primary Years Programme (PYP) [56KB, PDF]
General regulations - Middle Years Programme (MYP) [56KB, PDF]
General regulations - Diploma Programme [56KB, PDF]
Amendments to the General regulations - Diploma Programme [28KB, PDF]
Required text for candidate schools
Required text for candidate schools to use in marketing materials [70KB, Word]
(INSERT NAME OF SCHOOL) is a candidate school* for the (insert name of programme). This school is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. These are schools that share a common philosophy—a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education that (this school) believes is important for our students.
*Only schools authorized by the IB organization can offer any of its three academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), or the Diploma Programme. Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted.For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit www.ibo.org
Authorization visit
This guide explains the rationale for the visit, states the principles to be observed, provides details of each stage of the process and practical advice, and provides an outline of the issues that the school should have addressed during preparation for the implementation of the programme.