Teacher at the front of a classroom full of students.
Kentucky teaching certificates are outlined in 16 KAR 2:010.
For more information, view the list of all available certificates offered by the Education Professional Standards Board.
It takes approximately two weeks to process an application. All applicants with incomplete applications will receive correspondence from the KECS Portal regarding materials received and items required for completion of the application process.
Copies of certificates can be obtained through the new KECS Portal.
You can access the KECS Portal or view the frequently asked questions (FAQ) related to applying for certification. For login issues, please contact the Randa Solutions help desk at support@kecs.randasolutions.com.
No. Lifetime certificates were last issued in 1985.
If a certificate has lapsed as a result of the applicant’s failure to meet the renewal requirements, the certificate may be reissued at a later date if the applicant completes at least six (6) semester hours of additional graduate credit. An applicant whose certificate has lapsed may qualify for a one-time exception of the six (6) semester hours of additional graduate credit if the applicant submits a recommendation from a superintendent of a Kentucky school district.
Kentucky issued certification is generally added based upon completion of an approved certification program. You need to contact a Kentucky college or university. An advisor will evaluate your transcript and outline a curriculum contract listing specific coursework needed. Since each college or university has its own requirements, and Kentucky uses standards-based preparation, you may want to contact several institutions. Under certain conditions, experienced Kentucky teachers may add an additional content area certification or extend the grade level of such a certificate.
The Kentucky Praxis requirements can be found on the ETS website. If you have tested outside of Kentucky, select the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board (code 7283) to have ETS electronically submit your scores to our office. Tests taken in Kentucky should automatically be reported to the Education Professional Standards Board. Please include your SSN when registering with ETS to ensure your scores are automatically reported.
| Certification Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Rank Change or Addition of Area | $85 |
| Regular Certificate (Issuance, Reissuance or Renewal) | $85 |
| Adding Area(s) of Certification | $85 |
| Ten-Year Substitute Certificate | $15 |
| Five-Year Substitute Certificate | $15 |
| Emergency Certificates for Substitute Teaching | No Fee |
| Synchronization option for aligning multiple certifications | $15 |
| Initial Statement of Eligibility (Principal) | No Fee |
| Renewal Statement of Eligibility (Principal) | $50 |
| One-Year Certificate | No Fee |
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.
