diff --git a/docs/description.adoc b/docs/description.adoc
index f1e82d4854..579a017871 100644
--- a/docs/description.adoc
+++ b/docs/description.adoc
@@ -71,14 +71,14 @@ This new structure is defined as follows:
 // This needs to be kept in sync with the [maps in the validation script](https://github.com/SonarSource/rspec/blob/master/rspec-tools/rspec_tools/validation/description.py#L33-L40).
 * Why is this an issue?
 ** What is the potential impact?
-* How to fix it
+* How to fix it (optional)
 ** Code examples
 *** Noncompliant code example
 *** Compliant solution
 ** How does this work?
 ** Pitfalls
 ** Going the extra mile
-* How to fix it in {Framework Display Name}
+* How to fix it in {Framework Display Name} (optional)
 ** Code examples
 *** Noncompliant code example
 *** Compliant solution
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ This section can include multiple concrete threats as well.
 https://github.com/SonarSource/rspec/blob/a51217c6d91abfa5e1d77d0ae0843e3903adf2d0/rules/S3649/impact.adoc[_Example._] +
 Goal: Our users should understand the impact of this issue on their project.
 +
-* *How to fix it* or  *How to fix it in `{Framework Display Name}`* (level 2 title) [the title depends on whether the description is generic or framework-specifc. See examples below.]
+* *How to fix it* or *How to fix it in `{Framework Display Name}`* (level 2 title) [Optional; the title depends on whether the description is generic or framework-specifc. See examples below.]
 +
 This section consists of one or multiple fixes for this type of issue (`Noncompliant code example` vs. `Compliant solution`). There can be multiple fixes for different libraries and/or frameworks. +
 Goal: Get an idea of how this issue can be fixed for my project/framework, why this works, what to look out for, and also how to continue improving on this topic.
@@ -145,8 +145,7 @@ Goal: Allow the user to dig deeper by providing a curated list of resources.
 * *Standards* (level 3 title) [Optional]
 * *Benchmarks* (level 3 title) [Optional]
 
-Note that most sections and subsections are optional, only the `Why is this an issue?` and `How to fix it`/ `How to fix it in {Framework Display Name}` main
-sections are mandatory.
+Note that most sections and subsections are optional, only the `Why is this an issue?` main section is mandatory.
 
 Content of the section "_How to fix it_ / _How to fix it in {Framework Display Name}_" can either be generic or framework specific.
 
diff --git a/rspec-tools/rspec_tools/validation/description.py b/rspec-tools/rspec_tools/validation/description.py
index 987e746afa..baf2f471de 100644
--- a/rspec-tools/rspec_tools/validation/description.py
+++ b/rspec-tools/rspec_tools/validation/description.py
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 from bs4 import BeautifulSoup
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Final
-from collections import Counter
 
 from rspec_tools.errors import RuleValidationError
 from rspec_tools.rules import LanguageSpecificRule
@@ -31,11 +30,11 @@ ACCEPTED_FRAMEWORK_NAMES: Final[list[str]] = parse_names('docs/header_names/allo
 
 # This needs to be kept in sync with the [headers list in docs/descriptions.adoc](https://github.com/SonarSource/rspec/blob/master/docs/description.adoc#3-progressive-education)
 SECTIONS = {
-  'Why is this an issue?': ['What is the potential impact?'],
-  # Also covers 'How to fix it in {Framework Display Name}'
-  'How to fix it': ['Code examples', 'How does this work?', 'Pitfalls', 'Going the extra mile'],
+  'Why is this an issue?': ['What is the potential impact?']
 }
 OPTIONAL_SECTIONS = {
+  # Also covers 'How to fix it in {Framework Display Name}'
+  'How to fix it': ['Code examples', 'How does this work?', 'Pitfalls', 'Going the extra mile'],
   'Resources': ['Documentation', 'Articles & blog posts', 'Conference presentations', 'Standards', 'Benchmarks']
 }
 SUBSECTIONS = {
@@ -55,14 +54,12 @@ def validate_section_names(rule_language: LanguageSpecificRule):
 
   education_titles = intersection(h2_titles, list(SECTIONS.keys()) + list(OPTIONAL_SECTIONS.keys()))
   if education_titles:
-    # we're using the education format
+    # Using the education format.
     validate_how_to_fix_it_sections_names(rule_language, h2_titles)
     missing_titles = difference(list(SECTIONS.keys()), education_titles)
-    # we handled "how to fix it" sections above
-    missing_titles_without_how_to_fix_its = [ s for s in missing_titles if not HOW_TO_FIX_IT_REGEX.match(s)]
-    if missing_titles_without_how_to_fix_its:
-      # when using the progressive education format, we need to have all its mandatory titles
-      raise RuleValidationError(f'Rule {rule_language.id} is missing the "{missing_titles_without_how_to_fix_its[0]}" section')
+    if missing_titles:
+      # All mandatory titles have to be present in the rule description.
+      raise RuleValidationError(f'Rule {rule_language.id} is missing the "{missing_titles[0]}" section')
   else:
     # we're using the legacy format
     for title in h2_titles:
@@ -71,10 +68,12 @@ def validate_section_names(rule_language: LanguageSpecificRule):
 
 def validate_how_to_fix_it_sections_names(rule_language: LanguageSpecificRule, h2_titles: list[str]):
   how_to_fix_it_sections = [ s for s in h2_titles if HOW_TO_FIX_IT_REGEX.match(s) ]
+  if not how_to_fix_it_sections:
+    # No 'How to fix it' section for the rule.
+    return
   if len(how_to_fix_it_sections) > 6:
     raise RuleValidationError(f'Rule {rule_language.id} has more than 6 "{HOW_TO_FIX_IT}" sections. Please ensure this limit can be increased with PM/UX teams')
-  if not how_to_fix_it_sections:
-    raise RuleValidationError(f'Rule {rule_language.id} is missing a "{HOW_TO_FIX_IT}" section')
+
   if HOW_TO_FIX_IT in how_to_fix_it_sections and len(how_to_fix_it_sections) > 1:
     raise RuleValidationError(f'Rule {rule_language.id} is mixing "{HOW_TO_FIX_IT}" with "How to fix it in FRAMEWORK NAME" sections. Either use a single "{HOW_TO_FIX_IT}" or one or more "How to fix it in FRAMEWORK"')
   duplicate_names = [x for x in how_to_fix_it_sections if how_to_fix_it_sections.count(x) > 1] # O(n*n) is fine, given n <= 6
@@ -165,12 +164,12 @@ Are you looking for "{highlight_name(rule_language)}"?''')
 
 def validate_subsections(rule_language: LanguageSpecificRule):
   for optional_section in list(OPTIONAL_SECTIONS.keys()):
-    validate_subsections_for_section(rule_language, optional_section, OPTIONAL_SECTIONS[optional_section])
-  for mandatory_section in list(SECTIONS.keys()):
-    if mandatory_section == HOW_TO_FIX_IT:
-      validate_subsections_for_section(rule_language, mandatory_section, SECTIONS[mandatory_section], section_regex=HOW_TO_FIX_IT_REGEX)
+    if optional_section == HOW_TO_FIX_IT:
+      validate_subsections_for_section(rule_language, optional_section, OPTIONAL_SECTIONS[optional_section], section_regex=HOW_TO_FIX_IT_REGEX)
     else:
-      validate_subsections_for_section(rule_language, mandatory_section, SECTIONS[mandatory_section])
+      validate_subsections_for_section(rule_language, optional_section, OPTIONAL_SECTIONS[optional_section])
+  for mandatory_section in list(SECTIONS.keys()):
+    validate_subsections_for_section(rule_language, mandatory_section, SECTIONS[mandatory_section])
   for subsection_with_sub_subsection in list(SUBSECTIONS.keys()):
     if subsection_with_sub_subsection == 'Code examples':
       validate_subsections_for_section(rule_language, subsection_with_sub_subsection, SUBSECTIONS[subsection_with_sub_subsection], level=4, is_duplicate_allowed=True)
diff --git a/rspec-tools/tests/resources/invalid-rules/S200/php/rule.adoc b/rspec-tools/tests/resources/rules/S200/php/rule.adoc
similarity index 100%
rename from rspec-tools/tests/resources/invalid-rules/S200/php/rule.adoc
rename to rspec-tools/tests/resources/rules/S200/php/rule.adoc
diff --git a/rspec-tools/tests/resources/invalid-rules/S200/php/rule.html b/rspec-tools/tests/resources/rules/S200/php/rule.html
similarity index 100%
rename from rspec-tools/tests/resources/invalid-rules/S200/php/rule.html
rename to rspec-tools/tests/resources/rules/S200/php/rule.html
diff --git a/rspec-tools/tests/validation/test_description_validation.py b/rspec-tools/tests/validation/test_description_validation.py
index 2804a06018..d5d21b8ac5 100644
--- a/rspec-tools/tests/validation/test_description_validation.py
+++ b/rspec-tools/tests/validation/test_description_validation.py
@@ -147,12 +147,6 @@ def test_education_format_missing_mandatory_sections_validation(invalid_rule):
   with pytest.raises(RuleValidationError, match=f'Rule common:S200 is missing the "Why is this an issue\\?" section'):
     validate_section_names(rule)
 
-def test_education_missing_how_to_fix_it_validation(invalid_rule):
-  '''Check that missing the "How to fix it" in the education format breaks validation'''
-  rule = invalid_rule('S200', 'php')
-  with pytest.raises(RuleValidationError, match=f'Rule php:S200 is missing a "How to fix it" section'):
-    validate_section_names(rule)
-
 def test_code_examples_with_typo_validation(invalid_rule):
   '''Check that the "Code examples" subsection with a typo in the education format breaks validation'''
   rule = invalid_rule('S200', 'cobol')
@@ -165,6 +159,11 @@ def test_noncompliant_examples_with_typo_validation(invalid_rule):
   with pytest.raises(RuleValidationError, match=f'Rule apex:S200 has a "Code examples" subsection with an unallowed name: "Non-compliant example"'):
     validate_subsections(rule)
 
+def test_valid_optional_how_to_fix_it_section_validation(rule_language):
+  '''Check that missing the "How to fix it" section in the education format is considered valid'''
+  rule = rule_language('S200', 'php')
+  validate_section_names(rule)
+
 def test_valid_how_to_fix_it_subsections_validation(rule_language):
   '''Check that expected format is considered valid'''
   rule = rule_language('S101', 'csharp')