Protocol School Washington
The Protocol School of Washington is an ACCET-accredited private institution delivering certificate and customized training in international protocol, business etiquette, and cross-cultural communication to government, military, corporate, and diplomatic professionals across more than 90 countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1988
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Protocol School Washington does
The Protocol School of Washington (PSOW) is a privately held, ACCET-accredited educational institution founded in 1988 by Dorothea Johnson and acquired in 2005 by current president Pamela Eyring. It delivers certificate and customized training in international protocol, business etiquette, cross-cultural communication, and executive presence to professionals in government, military, corporate, diplomatic, and individual career-track segments. Core programs include Protocol Officer Training, Intercultural Etiquette and Protocol Trainer, International Protocol Manager Training, and the Advanced International Protocol Course, delivered in in-person, live-online, and on-demand formats.
The underlying technology stack is modest and centered on delivery rather than differentiation: live-online courses run on the Brightspace Learning Management System and Zoom, with students joining as guests from PSOW accounts. The proprietary moat sits in curriculum and content — most notably the 576-page Honor & Respect reference by Deputy Director Robert Hickey covering forms of address across 190+ countries — rather than in software. A newly launched "Everything Speaks – Protocol & Business Etiquette Intelligence" program (June 2026) signals a push toward scalable, workplace-readiness training.
PSOW generates revenue through five streams: per-learner professional certificate programs, customized onsite/online group training sold to government and corporate clients (often via the GSA Schedule Professional Services Schedule SIN 611430), 1:1 executive coaching and dining tutorials, on-demand e-learning subscriptions, and keynote/guest speaking fees. The school maintains offices in Washington D.C., Columbia, South Carolina, and Dubai (the MENA regional hub established in 2012), and reports having trained over 6,000 professionals from 90+ countries since 1988. It is bootstrapped with no disclosed external funding.
Protocol School Washington firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Protocol School Washington
- Legal name
- The Protocol School of Washington
- Website
- https://psow.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1988
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- The Protocol School of Washington is an ACCET-accredited private institution delivering certificate and customized training in international protocol, business etiquette, and cross-cultural communication to government, military, corporate, and diplomatic professionals across more than 90 countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Protocol School Washington industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Etiquette and Protocol Training
- NAICS
- Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Educational Services (611)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Protocol, State Visits & Diplomatic Events Management (BPAIAIAJ)
Keywords
Where Protocol School Washington is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Protocol School Washington business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Professional Certificate Programs: PSOW offers multiple certificate programs including Protocol Officer Training, Intercultural Etiquette and Protocol Trainer, International Protocol Manager Training, and Advanced International Protocol Course. Programs are available in-person and live-online formats with tuition including training materials and certificate of completion.
- Customized Group Training: Private onsite and online sessions of certificate programs delivered for government agencies, military organizations, and corporations. Training can be delivered in entirety for certificates or customized to concentrate on key topics.
- 1:1 Consulting and Executive Coaching: Private consulting services including dining tutorials, business etiquette coaching, and executive coaching sessions for senior officials and professionals preparing for careers in public or executive service.
- On-Demand E-Learning: Flexible, mobile, and cost-effective e-learning options for in-person or virtual teams seeking to develop business etiquette skills.
- Guest Speaking: Keynote and guest speaker services for live and virtual events delivered by subject matter experts including President Pamela Eyring.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Certificate Program Tuition |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Protocol School Washington product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Protocol School of Washington provides accredited certificate training programs in international protocol, business etiquette, cross-cultural communication, and executive presence. Programs are delivered via in-person, live-online, and on-demand formats to government agencies, military organizations, corporations, diplomats, and individual professionals seeking recognized credentials in protocol and etiquette.
Product overview
Protocol School Washington offers a portfolio of protocol and etiquette training programs delivered in multiple formats (in-person, live online, and on-demand). The core offerings include four main certificate programs: Protocol Officer Training, Intercultural Etiquette and Protocol Trainer, International Protocol Manager Training, and Advanced International Protocol Course. These are supplemented by single subject courses, the Speakers Training Camp, and the newly launched 'Everything Speaks – Protocol & Business Etiquette Intelligence' program. Additional services include customized group training, 1:1 consulting, and keynote speaking. All programs are available in live online, in-person, or on-demand modalities, with the flagship classroom-based curriculum also delivered via Brightspace LMS and Zoom.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Protocol Officer Training Comprehensive training program providing a thorough foundation in the fundamentals of operational protocol, covering titles and forms of address, precedence, introductions, and ceremonial planning for government, military, and corporate professionals.
- Intercultural Etiquette and Protocol Trainer Trainer certification program teaching expert instruction on business protocol, executive dining and entertaining, professional image, and cultural awareness for individuals seeking to become certified protocol and etiquette trainers.
- International Protocol Manager Training Advanced certificate program focused on international protocol management, providing comprehensive training for professionals managing VIP visits, international delegations, and diplomatic events.
- Advanced International Protocol Course Advanced-level protocol training for experienced professionals seeking to enhance their international protocol expertise beyond the foundational certificate programs.
- Communication Courses Courses teaching skills to communicate successfully with any audience and master cross-cultural communications with people from different countries, cultures, generations, and genders.
- Everything Speaks – Protocol & Business Etiquette Intelligence Scalable training program designed to enhance professional presence, communication, networking skills, and workplace readiness for participants across all career stages in hybrid work environments.
- Speakers Training Camp Specialized training program for developing speaking and presentation skills in professional and diplomatic contexts.
- Customized Group Training Private onsite and online sessions of certificate programs delivered exclusively for government agencies, military organizations, and corporations, customized to concentrate on key topics relevant to the client.
- E-Learning / On-Demand Training Flexible, mobile, and cost-effective e-learning option for in-person or virtual teams seeking to develop business etiquette skills on demand.
- 1:1 Consulting and Executive Coaching Private consulting services including dining tutorials, business etiquette and protocol coaching, and executive coaching sessions for senior officials and professionals preparing for careers in public or executive service.
- Guest and Keynote Speaking Keynote and guest speaker services for live and virtual events delivered by subject matter experts including President Pamela Eyring, covering US and international protocol practices.
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% increase in inquiries and bookings for courses targeting younger professionals
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Protocol School Washington
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Protocol School Washington technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature3 records
Protocol School Washington partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET)coreACCET accreditation is foundational to PSOW's credibility as an educational institution. ACCET is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency. This accreditation allows PSOW to maintain high standards for curriculum, instructional delivery, and facilitators while providing recognized credentials to graduates.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Protocol School Washington competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- American School of Protocol: Direct competitor offering etiquette, protocol, and corporate image training to similar individual and corporate customers in the U.S.
- International School of Protocol: Direct competitor offering protocol and etiquette training programs serving similar individual and corporate clients in the U.S. and internationally.
- Civility Experts Worldwide: Specialized training provider focused on workplace civility, etiquette, and protocol for corporations and government clients with similar subject matter.
- Protocol & Etiquette School of New York: Direct competitor based in a major U.S. market offering certificate programs in etiquette, protocol, and corporate image serving similar U.S. professional clients.
- Protocol & Diplomacy International – Protocol Officers Association: Industry association and training provider serving the same protocol officer community, with overlapping faculty networks and recognized industry credentials.
Regional players
- Debrett's: UK-based authority on British etiquette, protocol, and forms of address with comparable training programs and reference content for international markets.
Broad incumbents
- Emily Post Institute: The most established consumer-facing etiquette brand in the U.S., offering business etiquette and manners training with broader consumer rather than protocol-officer focus.
- Dale Carnegie & Associates: Global training incumbent offering professional development, leadership, and interpersonal skills courses that overlap with PSOW's corporate communication and executive presence content.
- LinkedIn Learning: Mass-market enterprise learning platform with protocol, communication, and soft-skills modules that competes for corporate training budget at a much lower price point.
Emerging players
- Manners Concierge: Modern etiquette and corporate soft-skills training provider competing for similar corporate clients with a contemporary brand and digital delivery approach.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Protocol School Washington social profiles
Digital presenceProtocol School Washington compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Protocol School Washington financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Protocol School Washington leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Protocol School Washington funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Protocol School Washington M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Protocol School Washington
What does Protocol School Washington do?
The Protocol School of Washington provides accredited certificate training programs in international protocol, business etiquette, cross-cultural communication, and executive presence. Programs are delivered via in-person, live-online, and on-demand formats to government agencies, military organizations, corporations, diplomats, and individual professionals seeking recognized credentials in protocol and etiquette.
Is Protocol School Washington a public or private company?
Protocol School Washington is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Protocol School Washington founded?
Protocol School Washington was founded in 1988.
Where is Protocol School Washington based?
Protocol School Washington is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does Protocol School Washington make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Professional Certificate Programs are the primary driver. The others are customized Group Training, 1:1 Consulting and Executive Coaching, on-Demand E-Learning and guest Speaking.
Who are Protocol School Washington's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are American School of Protocol, International School of Protocol, Civility Experts Worldwide, Protocol & Etiquette School of New York and Protocol & Diplomacy International – Protocol Officers Association. Debrett's is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Emily Post Institute, Dale Carnegie & Associates and LinkedIn Learning. Manners Concierge is listed as an emerging player.
Does Protocol School Washington have an API?
No public API is recorded for Protocol School Washington.
What industry is Protocol School Washington in?
Protocol School Washington's product category is Professional Etiquette and Protocol Training. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIAIAJ, Protocol, State Visits & Diplomatic Events Management. Its NAICS code is 611430 and its SIC code is 8200.