Kentucky Teaching Certification
Kentucky teaching certification requires a bachelor’s degree from an Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) approved program, supervised student teaching, and passing Praxis exam scores, then applying for a Rank III certificate through the Kentucky Educator Certification System (KECS). The EPSB also offers alternative certification routes and reciprocity for out-of-state teachers.
Every path to a Kentucky teaching certificate runs through the Education Professional Standards Board, the state agency that sets requirements for new teachers and career changers alike. Whether you’re starting your first education degree, holding a license from another state, renewing an existing certificate, or aiming for a school leadership role, Kentucky has a specific process for each situation. Use the list below to find the path that matches where you are right now.
Learn how to become a teacher in Kentucky or a school administrator. Choose the description that best fits your situation:
- Initial Teaching Certification…
- I’m a teacher from another state…
- Teacher Certification Renewal…
- Admin./Principal Certification…
- Alternative Teaching Certification…
- Substitute Teaching Permit…
Initial Kentucky Teaching Certification
The Education Professional Standards Board issues initial teaching certificates to graduates of state-approved educator preparation programs. Some Kentucky teachers go on to earn National Board Certification through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, a credential that signals advanced classroom expertise beyond initial licensure. Find schools offering teaching certification programs in Kentucky below.
Education Requirements
The Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board (502-564-5846) requires that all certified teachers in the state hold at least a bachelor’s degree with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, or a 3.0 GPA on the last 30 semester hours of coursework, and graduate from an approved program of teacher preparation in Kentucky.
If you completed a teacher preparation program outside of Kentucky, you’re still a possible candidate for Kentucky teacher certification. Kentucky participates in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, which facilitates the valuation of educator credentials from participating jurisdictions. Additional Kentucky testing or certification requirements may still apply.
If you completed your educator preparation program in a foreign country, you’ll need a course-by-course evaluation of your academic credits performed by one of these approved credential evaluation agencies.
Certification Options
Base teaching certificates offered in Kentucky correspond to the teacher training program you completed. They include:
- Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (Birth to Primary)
- Elementary School (Primary to Grade 5)
- Middle School (Grades 5 through 9)
- Secondary School (Grades 8 through 12)
- Middle/Secondary School (Grades 5 through 12)
- Elementary/Middle/Secondary School (Primary through Grade 12)
- Exceptional Children (Primary through Grade 12)
Endorsements offered in each of these areas are listed in the Examinations section below.
Kentucky’s Certification Rank System
Kentucky organizes certificates into three ranks tied to education level. Rank III is the entry-level professional certificate for teachers who’ve completed a state-approved preparation program with a bachelor’s degree. Rank II follows once a teacher earns an approved master’s degree or achieves initial National Board Certification. Rank I is the highest rank, requiring a master’s degree plus 30 additional graduate hours or equivalent advanced coursework. Each rank increase typically brings a corresponding pay increase on the district salary schedule.
Examinations
For a synopsis of the assessment requirements for teachers in Kentucky, visit the Praxis website.
Basic skills testing:
Many Kentucky educator preparation programs require applicants to demonstrate basic academic skills through approved assessments, such as the Praxis Core, or qualifying ACT or GRE scores, depending on the program. Contact your school advisor to confirm which option applies to you.
Content area assessment testing:
To receive an endorsement on your teaching certificate designating that you’re allowed to teach in a certain content area, you must pass the Praxis II exam in that area. Exams are available for the following endorsement areas:
- Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (Birth through Grade P)
- Elementary Education (Grades P-5)
- Middle School (Grades 5-9):
- English and Communications
- Mathematics
- Social Studies
- Science
- Agriculture
- Business and Marketing Education
- Engineering and Technology
- Family and Consumer Sciences
- Industrial Education
- Secondary Education (Grades 8-12):
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Earth Science
- English
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Social Studies
- Journalism
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Speech/Media Communications
- All Grades:
- Arabic
- Chinese
- Japanese
- Russian
- French
- German
- Latin
- Spanish
- Art
- Health
- Integrated Music
- Vocal Music
- Instrumental Music
- Physical Education
- Health and Physical Education
- Communication Disorders
- Hearing Impaired
- Hearing Impaired with Sign Proficiency
- Learning and Behavior Disorders
- Gifted
- Moderate and Severe Disabilities
- Visually Impaired
- Computer Information Systems
- Dance
- English as a Second Language
- Theater
- Literacy Specialist
- Reading
Experience Requirements
As an applicant for teacher certification in Kentucky, you must complete a verifiable student teaching internship experience. This experience must be documented on your Application for Kentucky Certification and signed by the superintendent of the school where you served your internship. Your student teaching internship must be appropriate to the grade level and/or content area in which you plan to teach, and must be full-time.
During your student teaching experience, you can expect to lead the class, prepare and implement lesson plans, and assist and observe a classroom teacher, who will also monitor, assess, and offer feedback on your classroom performance. The length of your student teaching experience will vary depending on the policies of your college or university’s teacher preparation program.
Once you start your first year in the classroom, Kentucky enrolls you in the Kentucky Teacher Internship Program (KTIP), which pairs new teachers with trained observers who assess classroom performance before a professional certificate is finalized.
Application Process
Once you’ve fulfilled your educational, experiential, and examination requirements, you’ll apply for certification through the Kentucky Educator Certification System (KECS), the EPSB’s online portal for submitting applications and Praxis score reports. Your educator preparation program submits its recommendation directly through KECS, and ETS can send your Praxis scores electronically to the EPSB. Official transcripts must come directly from each institution you attended, either electronically through the institution’s transcript service or by official mailed transcript, as accepted by the EPSB. You’ll also pay any required application fee through KECS.
Criminal History Background Check
The Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board doesn’t require a criminal history background check for teacher certification itself. However, such a check is mandatory before any Kentucky school will hire you to work with children in any capacity. Most Kentucky public and private schools use the AOCFastCheck online system to conduct criminal history background checks. This online system is run through the Administrative Office of the Courts. Applications for background checks are also accepted in person and by mail. For more information, contact the Administrative Office of the Courts at AOC Records Unit, 100 Millcreek Park, Frankfort, KY 40601, or by phone at 800-928-6381.
Contact Information
If you’re interested in more information on Kentucky colleges and universities that house approved teacher preparation programs, contact the Division of Educator Preparation at 502-564-4606.
For more information on educator certification in Kentucky, contact the Division of Certification at 502-564-5846.
Kentucky Teacher Salaries
Kentucky’s median teacher salaries run close to the national average across grade bands, according to state-level Bureau of Labor Statistics data. For a fuller breakdown of pay and benefits, see Kentucky teaching salaries and benefits.
| Occupation | Kentucky Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | $60,280 |
| Elementary School Teachers | $60,610 |
| Middle School Teachers | $61,120 |
| High School Teachers | $61,560 |
Kentucky-specific job growth projections aren’t published in the current dataset. Nationally, employment in these four occupations is projected to decline slightly between 2024 and 2034, driven mainly by enrollment trends, though local hiring can differ due to retirements and district-level shortages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What GPA do I need for Kentucky teacher certification?
You need a cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, or a 3.0 GPA on the last 30 semester hours of undergraduate and graduate coursework combined, to earn a statement of eligibility from the EPSB.
How do I apply for a Kentucky teaching certificate?
You apply through the Kentucky Educator Certification System (KECS), the EPSB’s online portal. Your preparation program submits its recommendation, ETS sends your Praxis scores electronically, and official transcripts come directly from each institution you attended, either electronically or by official mailed transcript. You’ll also pay the application fee through KECS.
What’s the difference between Rank III, Rank II, and Rank I certification?
Rank III is the initial professional certificate earned with a bachelor’s degree. Rank II requires an approved master’s degree or initial National Board Certification. Rank I requires a master’s degree plus 30 additional graduate hours or equivalent coursework, and carries the highest pay tier.
Can I transfer an out-of-state teaching license to Kentucky?
Often, yes, but it’s not automatic. Kentucky participates in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, which facilitates the evaluation of educator credentials from participating jurisdictions. Additional Kentucky testing or certification requirements may still apply depending on your license type, so check the Kentucky teacher reciprocity page for details on your situation.
Do I need a background check for Kentucky teacher certification?
The EPSB itself doesn’t require a background check to issue a certificate. Kentucky schools do require one before hiring you, typically processed through the AOCFastCheck system run by the Administrative Office of the Courts.
- Bachelor’s degree and EPSB-approved prep program required, plus supervised student teaching and passing Praxis scores for a Rank III certificate
- 2.75 GPA minimum, or a 3.0 GPA on your last 30 semester hours
- Applications go through KECS, the EPSB’s online certification portal
- Three certificate ranks: Rank III, Rank II, and Rank I, tied to graduate coursework and National Board Certification
- Reciprocity available: Kentucky’s NASDTEC membership helps evaluate out-of-state credentials, though additional requirements may still apply
Find accredited teacher certification programs, application links, and licensing requirements for your jurisdiction.
May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS wage estimates and 2024-2034 employment projections for Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Middle School Teachers, and High School Teachers, reflect state and national data, not school-specific outcomes. State or district job-growth projections are sourced separately from national BLS outlook data. Conditions vary by school sector, subject area, and district. Data accessed July 2026.
