OpenAI updated its 'Teacher Access Terms' for ChatGPT for Teachers on November 19, 2025. What does this mean for you if you are a teacher? In short: clearer rules about who can use the tool, how student data is handled, and what rights you have over the content you generate.
What changes for teachers
The new terms apply specifically to K-12 and higher education teachers who use the offering called ChatGPT for Teachers. These are not the same terms that apply to personal users, businesses, or developers. To register as a teacher you will need to verify your employment: validate your school email domain or use a third-party verification provider.
OpenAI asks that you be over 18, that you have not been previously suspended, and that you have authorization from your school to accept these terms on its behalf. Don’t have those authorizations? Then you might not be able to access the service.
Accounts, workspaces, and school control
When you create a 'Teacher Account' you can open a workspace and be its Admin. That gives you control over settings and invitations, but remember: the school can, at any time, become Admin and take control of the workspace.
What does that mean in practice? Your school will be able to access, modify, or delete content associated with your account. It can also limit or revoke your access. In other words, use the account only for educational tasks: lesson planning, in-class activities, assessment, and communication with students and families.
Do not share credentials or use the teacher account for personal or commercial projects. OpenAI can suspend you for misuse.
Student data and the Student DPA
If you input or generate Student Data, the Student Data Privacy Agreement (Student DPA) applies. Key points:
- Student data belongs to the school and remains under its control.
- OpenAI acts as a provider with a legitimate educational interest to deliver the service.
- The school is responsible for permissions and for secure access to accounts.
If OpenAI detects misuse or a security risk, it may limit or suspend access. Your school must ensure that use complies with its policies.
Ownership of content and use of generated material
Here are some good news and some cautions. According to the terms:
- You retain ownership of the Inputs you submit.
- OpenAI assigns you the rights to the Outputs the tool generates, to the extent permitted by law.
But remember: generated responses may not be unique; other users might receive similar outputs. OpenAI also states it will use your Content only to operate the service, comply with the law, enforce policies, and prevent abuse. It also specifies that it will not use your Content to train its models.
Accuracy, risks, and prohibited uses
OpenAI reminds you of something you should already keep in mind: models are probabilistic. What does that mean? The Output can be inaccurate, incomplete, or offensive. Don’t use it as your only source of truth or for critical decisions about people (credit, employment, health, etc.).
Important prohibitions:
- Do not use the service to infringe rights or commit illegal activities.
- Do not present the Output as if it were human when it is not.
- Do not extract data automatically without permission.
- Do not use the Output to build competing models.
Payments, price changes, and service continuity
If you pay for a subscription, OpenAI will automatically charge renewals until you cancel. Payments are non-refundable unless local law requires otherwise. If prices rise, you will get at least 30 days notice before the next renewal.
OpenAI may discontinue the service, but promises notice and refunds for unused prepaid services.
Liability, warranties, and dispute resolution
The service is provided 'as is'. OpenAI limits its liability: its maximum exposure is the amount you paid in the prior 12 months or $100, whichever is greater, except where local law imposes different limits.
There are also dispute resolution and mandatory arbitration clauses. You can opt out of arbitration within 30 days of creating your account or after an update to these terms. If you do not opt out, most claims will be resolved in individual arbitration and not in class actions.
Practical recommendations for teachers
- Check with your school before registering. Ask for clarity on who manages accounts and how content will be monitored.
- Use the account only for educational purposes and avoid entering sensitive student data unless necessary.
- Review the Student DPA and your institution's policies. Keep copies of important work and materials outside the platform if you worry about losing access.
- If you rely on the service for key activities, take precautions: always verify information and use human review.
What if you get suspended? You can appeal with OpenAI support using the form they provide.
OpenAI published these terms with security and compliance in mind, but the actual shift of control to schools is the point that will affect teachers most in day-to-day work. Does it reassure you that the school can access everything, or would you prefer more privacy? That is a question you will need to answer with your administrators.