Eligibility
School Counselors must hold certification from the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) for this position. The EPSB issues a five-year Provisional Certificate for School Counselor to candidates who have completed an approved master’s level program in school counseling. Upon meeting additional requirements, the candidate may receive a five-year Standard Certificate for School Counselor.
Applying for the Provisional Certificate for School Counselor
STEP 1: Log into the KECS Portal.
STEP 2: Follow the prompts in the application wizard to apply for Adding new KY Certification/Initial Certification (CA-1).
STEP 3: Provide official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework.
STEP 4: Verify completion of the provisional preparation program for School Counselor from the preparing college or university.
STEP 5: Complete the Character and Fitness review.
STEP 6: Make the appropriate payment for certification fees through the KECS online payment service. Please note that any other forms of payment are not accepted and will be returned to the applicant.
STEP 7: Submit the application.
Renewal of a Provisional Certificate for School Counselor
An applicant with a valid Kentucky teaching certificate who has completed the coursework for the Standard Certificate for School Counselor but has not met experience requirements for issuance of the certificate, may renew the Provisional Certificate for School Counselor by meeting the requirements for renewal of their teaching certificate. The provisional certificate may also be renewed upon submission of six (6) hours of additional graduate credit in the area of counseling or school counseling.
STEP 1: Log into the KECS Portal
STEP 2: Follow the prompts in the application wizard to apply for Renew Certificate(s) (CA-2).
STEP 3: Provide one of the following:
- District verification of three (3) years of teaching experience within the five (5) year cycle; or
- Six (6) semester hours of additional graduate credit in the area of counseling or school counseling.
STEP 4: Complete the Character and Fitness review.
STEP 5: Make the appropriate payment for certification fees through the KECS online payment service. Please note that any other forms of payment are not accepted and will be returned to the applicant.
STEP 6: Submit the application.
Applying for the Standard Certificate for School Counselor
After receiving the Provisional Certificate for School Counselor, candidates have two options for receiving the Standard Certificate for School Counselor.
Option I:
- Successful completion of an additional three (3) to six (6) credit hours from an approved graduate level counseling or school counseling program;
- One (1) year of full-time employment as a provisionally certified school counselor;
- A valid Kentucky Professional teaching certificate; and
- A minimum of one (1) year of full-time classroom teaching experience.
Option II:
- Successful completion of an additional three (3) to six (6) credit hours from an approved graduate level counseling or school counseling program; and
- A minimum of two (2) years of full-time employment as a provisionally certified school counselor.
STEP 1: Log into the KECS Portal.
STEP 2: Follow the prompts in the application wizard to apply for Adding new KY Certification/Initial Certification (CA-1).
STEP 3: Provide official transcripts of additional graduate coursework.
STEP 4: Verify completion of the standard preparation program for School Counselor from the preparing college or university.
STEP 5: Complete the Character and Fitness review.
STEP 6: Make the appropriate payment for certification fees through the KECS online payment service. Please note that any other forms of payment are not accepted and will be returned to the applicant.
STEP 7: Submit the application.
Renewal of the Standard Certificate for School Counselor
STEP 1: Log into the KECS Portal
STEP 2: Follow the prompts in the application wizard to apply for Renew Certificate(s) (CA-2).
STEP 3: Provide one of the following:
- Two (2) years of experience as a School Counselor;
- Three (3) semester hours of additional graduate credit in the area of counseling or school counseling; OR
- Forty-two (42) hours of approved Effective Instructional Leadership Act (EILA) training.
STEP 4: Complete the Character and Fitness review.
STEP 5: Make the appropriate payment for certification fees through the KECS online payment service. Please note that any other forms of payment are not accepted and will be returned to the applicant.
STEP 6: Submit the application.
Submitting Official Transcripts
Transcripts are only considered official if submitted one of the following ways:
- Electronic transcripts sent DIRECTLY from the institution’s third-party transcript provider to KDELicensure@education.ky.gov. Electronic transcripts are not accepted if printed by or forwarded by the applicant.
- Sent by mail from the institution on official transcript paper to:
KDE Certification
300 Sower Blvd., 5th Floor
Frankfort, KY 40601
Official transcripts that are mailed or dropped off at the office will NOT be returned to the applicant.
