Practical examples of tutoring service agreement examples for 2024–2025

Real-world examples of tutoring service agreement examples

Before talking theory, let’s walk through what real agreements actually look like in 2024–2025. Different tutoring setups need different terms, but the patterns repeat: scope of services, payment, scheduling, cancellations, online safety, and academic honesty.

Below are several examples of tutoring service agreement examples that mirror what solo tutors, agencies, and learning centers are using right now. None of this is legal advice, but these models give you language and structure you can adapt.

Example of a one‑on‑one private tutor agreement (in‑person)

A classic private tutor agreement is still the backbone of the industry. Imagine a high school math tutor working with one student at the family’s home.

Key elements this agreement would include:

• Parties and relationship – Names of tutor and parent/guardian, with a clear note that the tutor is an independent contractor, not an employee.
• Scope of services – Subjects (e.g., Algebra II, SAT Math), grade level, and whether the tutor will assign homework or only support schoolwork.
• Location and safety – Sessions at the student’s home, always with an adult present in the home. For U.S. tutors, many agreements now reference adherence to local child protection and mandated reporter laws. Guidance on child safety and mandated reporting is available through state education departments and organizations such as the U.S. Department of Education.
• Session length and frequency – For example, 60‑minute sessions twice a week, with a minimum 8‑week commitment.
• Payment terms – Hourly rate, payment due date (e.g., weekly or monthly), acceptable payment methods, and late fee rules.
• Cancellation and rescheduling – Often a 24‑hour notice rule, with full charge for last‑minute cancellations.
• No guarantees of results – A simple clause stating the tutor can’t guarantee grades or test scores.

This kind of example of a tutoring service agreement is usually written in straightforward language, so parents can read it without legal training. The best examples also add a short “Communication” section that spells out how the tutor will share progress updates.

Example of an online-only tutoring service agreement

The pandemic normalized remote tutoring, and that trend has stuck. Many tutors now work entirely through Zoom, Google Meet, or specialized platforms. An online‑only contract looks similar to the in‑person version but adds a few clauses.

Strong examples of tutoring service agreement examples for online work typically add:

• Technology requirements – Student must have a stable internet connection, webcam, and microphone. The agreement may state that the tutor is not responsible for technical failures on the student’s side.
• Platform and recording policy – Which platform will be used and whether sessions may be recorded. Many tutors now explicitly state that recording is either prohibited or allowed only with written consent from both sides.
• Online conduct and privacy – Ground rules for chat use, screen sharing, and avoiding unrelated websites during sessions.
• Time zone clarity – All times listed in a specified time zone (e.g., Eastern Time), which matters for international students.

Because student privacy is a bigger concern online, some of the best examples now reference general privacy standards and, for U.S. students, awareness of FERPA rules when dealing with school records. You can read about FERPA on the U.S. Department of Education site at https://studentprivacy.ed.gov.

Example of a tutoring center or agency service agreement

When you work through a learning center or tutoring agency, the agreement is often three‑sided: company, tutor, and family. That means more moving parts.

In these examples of tutoring service agreement examples, you typically see:

• Role of the company – The center provides tutor matching, scheduling tools, and billing services.
• Tutor assignment and substitution – The company may reserve the right to reassign tutors if someone leaves or schedules change.
• Package pricing – Instead of hourly, families buy a block of hours or a monthly plan.
• Refund and credit rules – Clear statements on when unused hours expire and whether they can be refunded or only credited.
• Non‑solicitation – Families agree not to bypass the center by hiring the assigned tutor privately for a set period.

The best examples from larger agencies also contain short compliance statements about nondiscrimination, accessibility, and adherence to applicable education and consumer protection laws. For U.S. organizations, this sometimes references general civil rights obligations; information on federal education civil rights enforcement is available through the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.

Example of a test prep tutoring agreement (SAT, ACT, GRE, etc.)

Test prep tutoring has its own risk: parents and students may expect a specific score jump. Modern agreements are getting more explicit about this.

A realistic example of tutoring service agreement for SAT/ACT prep typically includes:

• Defined program scope – Number of practice tests, content review, and whether the tutor will help with test registration.
• Student responsibilities – Completing assigned practice tests and homework on time, bringing calculators or other permitted tools.
• Score improvement disclaimer – A clause stating that test scores depend on many factors and cannot be guaranteed.
• Academic integrity – A promise that the tutor will not take tests on behalf of the student or access secure exam materials.

Some of the best examples include a short academic integrity section aligned with college admissions expectations. Universities such as Harvard emphasize honesty and independent work in their academic integrity policies, which you can see at https://honor.fas.harvard.edu. While those rules apply to enrolled students, the values translate well into test prep contracts.

Example of a K–12 homework support and executive function coaching agreement

Not all tutoring is about content. Many families now hire tutors to help students manage time, plan assignments, and stay organized. That requires slightly different language.

In these examples of tutoring service agreement examples for executive function support, you’ll often see:

• Service description – Focus on planning, organization, study skills, and task initiation rather than specific subject content.
• Parent involvement – Agreements may specify that parents receive brief progress summaries or planning checklists.
• Coordination with schools – Some agreements allow the tutor to communicate with teachers or school counselors, but only with written consent from the parent/guardian.
• Boundaries – Clear limits on what the tutor will not do, such as writing essays or completing graded assignments for the student.

Because this kind of support sometimes overlaps with learning or attention challenges, some tutors link parents to reputable educational and health resources. For example, the National Institute of Mental Health provides information on ADHD and related conditions at https://www.nimh.nih.gov, which can help families understand why executive function coaching is valuable.

Example of a university-level or graduate tutoring agreement

College and graduate students bring different issues: academic honesty policies, research ethics, and more flexible schedules.

A realistic example of tutoring service agreement for university students often includes:

• Scope of help – Clarifying that the tutor can explain concepts, review drafts, and suggest improvements, but will not write papers, complete problem sets, or do lab work.
• Plagiarism and ethics – A statement that both parties will respect the student’s institutional code of conduct and research ethics policies.
• Scheduling flexibility – Shorter cancellation windows may be allowed, but often with a minimum notice period to protect the tutor’s time.
• Online and in‑person mix – Many grad students split sessions between campus libraries and online meetings, so the agreement can specify how each is handled.

The best examples for this group explicitly reference the student’s responsibility to follow their university’s academic integrity rules, which are usually posted on the school’s .edu site.

Example of a group tutoring or small-class agreement

Group tutoring changes the economics and the classroom dynamics. You might run a small algebra group of four students or an AP Biology review class of ten.

In these examples of tutoring service agreement examples for group settings, effective clauses include:

• Minimum and maximum enrollment – The tutor may reserve the right to cancel or reschedule if fewer than a set number of students enroll.
• Per‑student pricing – Payment structure per student per term or per session.
• Behavior expectations – Ground rules for participation, muting/unmuting in online groups, and respect toward peers.
• Confidentiality within the group – A reminder that students should not share personal stories or contact details from other participants outside the group without permission.

Group agreements often emphasize that the tutor cannot tailor every minute of instruction to each student, which helps manage expectations from parents who are used to one‑on‑one attention.

Example of a specialized needs or learning differences tutoring agreement

Tutors who work with students with dyslexia, ADHD, autism, or other learning differences often include more detail about collaboration with families and other professionals.

A thoughtful example of tutoring service agreement for this niche might include:

• Specialized methods – References to structured literacy, multisensory approaches, or other evidence‑based techniques, without promising specific clinical outcomes.
• Coordination with professionals – Permission to communicate with speech‑language pathologists, psychologists, or special education teachers, if the family approves in writing.
• Limits of service – Clear statement that the tutor is not providing medical diagnosis or treatment.
• Progress tracking – Periodic written summaries or progress check‑ins.

Because these students may also be working with medical or mental health professionals, tutors sometimes point families toward credible health information from sources like the Mayo Clinic at https://www.mayoclinic.org.

Key clauses to copy from the best examples of tutoring service agreement examples

Once you’ve looked at several real examples, patterns emerge. The best examples of tutoring service agreement examples almost always include:

• A clear description of services and limits
• Payment, billing cycle, and late fee policies
• Cancellation and no‑show rules
• Online safety and privacy language (for virtual sessions)
• Academic integrity and “no cheating” clauses
• Disclaimers about grades and test scores
• A simple process to end the agreement

You can mix and match elements from the examples above to create a draft that fits your situation, then have it reviewed by a local attorney or a small business legal clinic.

2024–2025 trends shaping new tutoring service agreements

Tutoring contracts written in 2018 already feel dated. In 2024–2025, several trends are reshaping how examples of tutoring service agreement examples are drafted:

• AI and digital tools – Many tutors now explicitly state whether AI tools (like grammar checkers or math solvers) may be used as learning aids, and under what conditions. Agreements often clarify that students must not submit AI‑generated work as their own.
• Hybrid models – Contracts increasingly cover both in‑person and online sessions, with different cancellation rules for each.
• Subscription pricing – Some learning centers use monthly subscriptions instead of per‑hour billing, so agreements describe renewal dates, auto‑billing, and how to cancel.
• Data privacy expectations – Parents are more aware of how platforms handle data. Even small tutoring businesses are adding short privacy and data retention sections.
• Shorter, clearer language – Families are less willing to sign dense legal documents. The best examples cut legal jargon and use headings, short paragraphs, and plain English.

As you review or draft your own agreement, check that it reflects these current realities rather than an older, purely in‑person model.

FAQ about tutoring service agreement examples

How can I use these examples of tutoring service agreement examples without copying them word‑for‑word?
Treat each example as a checklist. Note which clauses you need—like cancellations, online safety, or academic integrity—then write your own version in your own voice. Local laws vary, so have a lawyer or legal clinic review anything you plan to use with clients.

Is there a simple example of a tutoring service agreement for part‑time tutors?
Yes. A short, one‑page agreement can still cover scope of services, payment, cancellations, and a no‑guarantee clause. Many solo tutors start with a lean example of tutoring service agreement and expand only if they move into group classes or online programs.

Do I really need a written contract if I only tutor a few students?
You do not have to, but it is strongly recommended. Even informal side‑gig tutors benefit from clear written terms. The best examples show that a short, plain‑language agreement can prevent misunderstandings about money, scheduling, and expectations.

Where can I find more real examples of tutoring service agreement examples?
Look at policies posted by local learning centers, community college tutoring programs, and university writing centers. Many publish their expectations and terms online, which can serve as real examples of how organizations structure tutoring relationships.

Can I adapt a U.S. tutoring agreement for use in another country?
You can use it as a starting point, but you should not assume it fits local law. Tax rules, consumer protection laws, and education regulations differ by country. Use these examples as templates for structure and wording, then work with a local professional to adapt them.

Clear, modern agreements protect both tutors and families. By studying multiple examples of tutoring service agreement examples—from private math tutors to online test prep and specialized learning support—you can assemble a contract that reflects how you actually work in 2024–2025, not how tutoring looked a decade ago.