Online Course Instructor Application Form Template

Find and vet the right instructors for your online learning platform. This application form collects everything you need to evaluate a prospective instructor — their subject expertise, proposed course outline, teaching background, and links to existing content — so your team can make informed decisions quickly.

Use this template

Last updated 21 August 2026

Fields in this template

Full Namerequired
Email Addressrequired
Phone Number
LinkedIn Profile or Personal Website
Subject Area of Expertiserequired
Technology & Programming · Business & Entrepreneurship · Design & Creative Arts · Marketing & Communications · Data Science & Analytics · Health & Wellness · Finance & Accounting · Language Learning · Education & Teaching · Personal Development · Science & Engineering · Other
Proposed Course Titlerequired
Course Description and Outlinerequired
Teaching Experience and Credentialsrequired
Have you created online content before?required
Yes — I have published online courses or content previously · No — this would be my first online course
Link to Sample Content (if available)
Expected Course Lengthrequired
Short (under 2 hours) · Medium (2–5 hours) · Long (5–10 hours) · Comprehensive (10+ hours) · Ongoing / subscription-based

Who uses this template

Online course marketplace platformsCorporate learning and development teams building internal contentUniversities expanding their online course catalogProfessional associations creating member education programsEdTech startups building subject-matter expert networksSubscription learning platformsCommunity colleges hiring adjunct online instructorsBootcamp operators expanding their curriculum

About this template

An online course instructor application form is the first filter in building a quality e-learning catalog. Whether you run an open marketplace like Udemy or a curated platform with high editorial standards, the application form is where you set the bar. Collecting structured information upfront — subject expertise, course proposal, credentials, and sample work — lets your team review candidates consistently and at scale, without back-and-forth email exchanges.

This template is designed to surface the information that actually predicts instructor success online: prior content creation experience, the specificity of the proposed course outline, and the depth of their professional background in the subject. A vague course title and a thin bio are early signals; a detailed module outline and a sample video tell you far more. By asking for all of it in one form, you establish a professional standard before the first conversation.

formformform makes it easy to deploy this form on your instructor recruitment page and manage incoming applications from a central dashboard. You get notified on every submission, can export applications to a spreadsheet for batch review, and can update the form fields as your platform's focus evolves — all without touching a line of code.

15 form ideas you can build with this template

Tech Skills Platform Instructor Application

Screens software engineers and developers applying to teach programming courses, requiring a GitHub profile and sample code repository.

Wellness and Fitness Online Instructor Application

Vets yoga, pilates, and fitness coaches applying to record video class series for a subscription wellness platform.

Business Coaching Platform Instructor Recruitment

Evaluates entrepreneurs and executives proposing business strategy and startup courses for a professional development marketplace.

Language Tutoring Platform Teacher Application

Assesses native speaker credentials, teaching methodology, and language certification for online language tutors.

Corporate L&D Subject Matter Expert Application

Identifies internal employees with deep expertise to create eLearning modules for the company's LMS library.

Art and Design Online Instructor Application

Reviews portfolio quality, software proficiency, and teaching approach for illustrators and designers proposing creative courses.

Medical Education Online Instructor Application

Verifies clinical credentials and CME accreditation eligibility for physicians proposing continuing medical education content.

Finance Certification Prep Instructor Application

Screens CFP, CFA, or CPA exam prep instructors for their pass-rate track record and exam domain coverage plan.

Real Estate License Prep Instructor Application

Evaluates active licensees and brokers proposing state-specific pre-licensing or CE courses for an online real estate school.

Culinary Arts Online Instructor Application

Reviews professional chef credentials, proposed cuisine specialty, and demonstration video quality for a cooking platform.

Music and Audio Production Instructor Application

Assesses DAW proficiency, discography, and teaching methodology for producers applying to create online music courses.

Early Childhood Education Online Instructor Application

Screens certified teachers and child development specialists proposing parent education or early literacy online programs.

Cybersecurity Training Instructor Application

Reviews penetration testing credentials, relevant certifications (CEH, OSCP), and proposed lab environment design.

Photography and Videography Instructor Application

Evaluates portfolio, camera equipment, and proposed shooting style or post-production technique for visual arts learners.

High School Test Prep Instructor Application

Screens SAT, ACT, and AP exam tutors for subject expertise, score improvement track record, and student testimonials.

What's included

Subject area categorization for routing applications to the right reviewer

Structured course outline field captures the proposal in one place

Teaching credentials field separates academic and professional experience

Prior online content flag identifies experienced content creators

Sample content link for immediate quality assessment

Expected course length helps with platform planning and revenue forecasting

Email notification on every new application

Embeds on instructor recruitment landing pages

How to create an online course instructor application form

1
Click 'Use this template' to set up this form in your free formformform account with all application fields pre-built.
2
Update the 'Subject Area of Expertise' dropdown to match your platform's specific topic categories.
3
Add any platform-specific requirements — minimum follower count, required audio/video equipment, revenue share agreement acknowledgment.
4
Set your team's notification email so applications reach the right reviewer immediately.
5
Add a confirmation message that sets expectations on review timeline and next steps.
6
Embed the form on your 'Become an Instructor' landing page or share the direct link in your instructor recruitment outreach.

Best practices for your online course instructor application form

Ask for a course outline, not just a title

a one-sentence pitch tells you almost nothing; a rough module breakdown reveals how organized and prepared the applicant is.

Request sample content links

watching 5 minutes of an applicant's existing video is more informative than any written description of their teaching style.

Use the subject area dropdown for routing

assign applications to subject-matter reviewers automatically based on the category selected.

Separate professional credentials from teaching experience

someone can be a world-class practitioner and a poor teacher; evaluate both dimensions independently.

Set expectations in the confirmation message

tell applicants exactly how long review takes and what the next step looks like to reduce follow-up inquiries.

Review the proposed course length against your catalog gaps

a market saturated with beginner content but starved for advanced material is a signal worth acting on.

Frequently asked questions

Can I add a file upload field for applicants to attach a CV or course outline document?

formformform's current field types include short text, long text, dropdowns, and radio buttons. For document uploads, you can ask applicants to provide a link to a Google Doc, PDF URL, or shared Drive folder in a short text field.

How do I review all the instructor applications in one place?

All submissions appear in your formformform dashboard in chronological order. You can also export all responses as a CSV and import them into your own CRM or review spreadsheet.

Can I use this form to recruit instructors for a corporate LMS, not just a public platform?

Absolutely. This form works equally well for internal subject-matter expert identification — just relabel 'Platform' references to your internal program name and adjust the subject area options to your organization's skill categories.

What happens after someone submits an application?

You receive an instant email notification with all their application details. You can also set a custom confirmation message to let applicants know their submission was received and outline the review process.

Can I add a question about revenue share or payment model agreement?

Yes. You can add a checkbox field with a statement like 'I understand and agree to the platform's instructor revenue share terms' to capture acknowledgment as part of the application.