Wyzant rules and policies explained in plain English

By FastBuySale Newsroom · 9 Nov 2026 · 52m ago

Why the rules matter

Wyzant connects students with independent tutors across the United States, and it handles marketing, payments and support in exchange for a commission. To protect students, tutors and its own business, Wyzant sets out rules in its terms of use and tutor policies. Many new tutors skim these documents, then run into trouble later over cancellations, billing or contact with students outside the platform. This guide explains the main rules in plain English. It is a summary rather than a legal reading of the terms, and the policies change from time to time, so always read the latest versions in your account and on the support site.

Who can tutor

To tutor on Wyzant, you generally need to be at least 18, live in the United States and provide accurate identity and tax information. You create a profile, list the subjects you teach and may complete subject quizzes. Some tutors complete a background check, which students and parents of minors often look for. Profiles are reviewed before they go live, and Wyzant can decline or remove profiles that do not meet its standards.

You are an independent contractor

Wyzant tutors are not employees. You decide your rate, your availability and which students to accept. This also means you are responsible for your own taxes, equipment and records, and you do not receive employee benefits from the platform. Because you are self-employed, you must report your earnings and may owe self-employment tax. Treat tutoring as a small business: keep records of lessons, payments and expenses.

Honest profiles

Your profile must describe your qualifications, experience and subjects truthfully. Claiming degrees, certifications or teaching roles you do not have breaks the rules and can lead to removal. Photos should be real and recent. Avoid making promises you cannot guarantee, such as guaranteed exam scores. Honest profiles also reduce the risk of disappointed students and complaints.

Messaging and contact details

Wyzant restricts sharing personal contact information, such as phone numbers, email addresses and external links, in profiles and early messages. The reason is simple: the platform wants bookings and payments to happen through Wyzant, where it can provide support and collect its commission. Communicate through the messaging system, keep conversations professional and avoid asking students for personal details they do not need to share.

No off-platform payments

Arranging to be paid outside Wyzant for students you met through the platform, to avoid the commission, is prohibited. This includes asking a student to pay by cash, a payment app or check for lessons that should be billed through Wyzant. Breaking this rule can result in permanent removal. It also leaves you without payment protection or support if something goes wrong. If a student suggests paying outside the platform, decline politely and continue on Wyzant.

The commission

Wyzant keeps a commission from each lesson, which has been set at 25 percent of the lesson price. The rest is paid to you after you submit the lesson. Commission rates and structures have changed over the years, so check your account for the current rate. Factor the commission into your hourly rate so you still reach your target take-home pay.

Worked example: pricing within the rules

Andre wants to earn 39 dollars an hour after the commission. Dividing 39 by 0.75 gives 52 dollars, so he sets his rate at 52 dollars. A student suggests paying him 45 dollars in cash instead to save money. Accepting would breach the off-platform payment rule and could get his account closed, losing every future student and the reviews he has built. Andre declines and keeps the booking on Wyzant. The percentage calculator on this site helps him check rates.

Submitting lessons accurately

After each lesson, tutors submit it with the date and the actual length. Billing for time you did not teach, rounding up significantly or submitting lessons that never happened is a serious breach. Students can see what you bill and can dispute charges. Submit promptly, because late submissions delay your payout and may fall outside the allowed window. If a lesson ran short because of a technical problem, bill only the time taught.

Cancellation policies

Tutors can set their own cancellation policy, for example charging for lessons cancelled with less than 24 hours notice. The policy must be clear and shown to students before they book, and charges must follow Wyzant's rules. Be reasonable: applying fees harshly can lead to complaints and poor reviews. If you need to cancel a lesson yourself, give as much notice as possible, because frequent tutor cancellations can affect your standing.

The first-lesson guarantee

To encourage students to try new tutors, Wyzant has offered a guarantee on the first hour. If the student is not satisfied with that first lesson, they may not be charged, which usually means the tutor is not paid for it. This rule shapes how tutors approach first sessions: confirm the student's goals in advance, prepare materials, and make sure the student leaves with a clear plan.

Refunds and disputes

Students can raise concerns about lessons, billing or conduct. Wyzant reviews disputes using lesson records and messages, and it may issue refunds to students in some cases. Keeping all communication on the platform and noting what was covered in each lesson gives you evidence if a dispute arises. Respond politely and promptly to any complaint.

Working with minors

Many Wyzant students are children and teenagers, so parents or guardians usually create and manage the account. Keep communication with minors appropriate, involve parents in scheduling and progress updates, and avoid private channels. For in-person lessons, choose public places or the family's home with a parent present. Inappropriate conduct leads to removal and may be reported to authorities.

Online lessons and recordings

Wyzant provides an online learning tool for virtual lessons. Using it keeps lessons tied to the platform and its records. If you or the student want to record a lesson, get clear consent first, especially for minors, and follow the platform's rules on recordings and privacy.

Reviews and conduct

Students can leave reviews after lessons. Tutors may not pay for, pressure or fake reviews. Professional conduct is expected at all times: punctuality, respectful communication and no discrimination or harassment. Repeated complaints or poor conduct can lead to suspension.

What can get an account suspended

Common reasons include taking payments off the platform, inaccurate or fraudulent billing, misleading profile information, inappropriate behaviour, especially with minors, and repeated cancellations or complaints. Suspended tutors may lose access to pending payments in some circumstances, so reading and following the rules protects your income.

Rates and changes to your pricing

You can change your hourly rate, but think about how changes affect current students. Raising rates suddenly for long-term students can feel unfair, so give notice and consider applying new rates to new students first. Some tutors set different rates for different subjects, such as a higher rate for advanced test preparation. Whatever you charge, the commission applies to the full lesson price, so recheck your take-home figure after any change.

Keeping your own records

Even though Wyzant records lessons and payments, keep your own simple log of dates, students, topics covered and time taught. This helps if a student disputes a lesson, makes tax time easier and shows which subjects and students bring the most value for your time.

When policies change

Wyzant updates its terms and policies from time to time and usually notifies tutors. Read any update notices, because continuing to tutor generally means you accept the new terms.

Avoiding scams

Scammers sometimes pose as students or parents and send overpayments by check, asking the tutor to refund the difference. Others ask for personal banking details. Keep everything inside Wyzant, never refund money outside the platform and report suspicious messages to support.

Reader questions

Have a question about tutoring platforms? Send it through the Ask page on this site.

Disclaimer

This article is for general information only and is not legal or tax advice. Policies change; read the current terms of use and tutor policies on the official support site.

💬 Join the discussion on this article →

🔴 LIVE · Wyzant: all 7 stories →

More in News · Trending News · Browse local deals