Applying for Initial Certification

Candidates who have completed an Education Professional Standards Board approved educator preparation program are eligible to apply for a Kentucky certificate.

STEP 1: Create an account on the Kentucky Educator Credentialing System (KECS).
STEP 2: Follow the prompts in the application wizard to apply for Initial Kentucky Certification (CA-1).
STEP 3: Provide official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework.
STEP 4: Pass the appropriate assessments for EACH area of certification being sought and the Principles of Learning and Teaching test for the desired grade range.
STEP 5: Verify completion of educator preparation program from the preparing college, university, or institution.
STEP 6: Complete the Character and Fitness review.
STEP 7: 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 8: 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.