How to Become a Substitute Teacher in Kentucky
Becoming a substitute teacher in Kentucky requires one of three certificates from the Education Professional Standards Board: a one-year emergency certificate for high school graduates, a five-year certificate for bachelor’s degree holders, or a ten-year certificate tied to a Kentucky teaching credential. All applicants apply online through KECS and pass a criminal background check.
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Kentucky doesn’t require a teaching degree to substitute in a classroom. The Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) issues three separate substitute teaching certificates, and which one you qualify for depends on your education level, not your major.
Kentucky’s Three Substitute Teaching Certificates
Under 16 KAR 2:030, the EPSB issues a one-year emergency certificate, a five-year certificate, and a ten-year certificate for substitute teaching. Each has its own eligibility requirement, and a district must give hiring priority to candidates holding the longer-term certificates before turning to emergency-certified substitutes.
Emergency Substitute Certificate (High School Diploma)
The one-year emergency certificate is available to candidates who hold at least a high school diploma or high school equivalency. A local school district first has to establish that it has a shortage of regularly certified teachers and substitutes before it can request emergency certificates, and the district verifies your diploma or equivalency and confirms a job offer before you apply to the EPSB. Under KRS 161.100(5), this certificate doesn’t cover full-time substitute work or replacing a teacher of record for more than 20 consecutive instructional days.
Five-Year Substitute Certificate (Bachelor’s Degree)
Candidates with a bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university qualify for the five-year certificate, regardless of major. This certificate is issued at Rank IV and renews on a five-year cycle through KECS.
Ten-Year Substitute Certificate (Statement of Eligibility or Prior Certificate)
The ten-year certificate goes to candidates who hold a valid Statement of Eligibility for a Kentucky teaching certificate, or who currently hold or previously held a Kentucky or out-of-state teaching certificate that required a four-year teacher preparation program. Kentucky teachers with an active certificate don’t need to apply separately. A regular Kentucky teaching certificate already authorizes substitute teaching at the rank shown on that certificate. If you’re weighing substitute work against a full-time classroom role, it helps to know what Kentucky teachers earn before deciding which path to pursue.
| Certificate | Who Qualifies | Term |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency (1-Year) | High school diploma or equivalency, plus a district job offer | 1 year |
| Standard (5-Year) | Bachelor’s degree in any field | 5 years, Rank IV |
| Extended (10-Year) | Statement of Eligibility or prior Kentucky/out-of-state teaching certificate | 10 years |
Want to learn how to earn a professional teaching certification? Contact schools offering teaching certification programs in Kentucky.
How to Apply Through KECS
Kentucky moved substitute certificate applications, along with every other certificate type, to the Kentucky Educator Credentialing System (KECS) online portal at kecs.education.ky.gov. The steps differ depending on which certificate you’re seeking.
For the five-year certificate, log into KECS, select “Initial 5 Year Substitute” in the application wizard, upload official transcripts showing your bachelor’s degree, complete the Character and Fitness review, pay the certificate fee through the KECS online payment system, and submit. Renewing later uses the same portal under “Renew 5 Year Substitute,” minus the transcript step.
For the emergency certificate, you apply with your local school district first, submitting its standard employment application along with proof of your high school diploma or equivalency. Once the district confirms your eligibility, you create a KECS account, select “Emergency Substitute Certification” in the application wizard, complete the Character and Fitness review, and submit.
Official transcripts count only if sent electronically straight from your school’s transcript provider to [email protected], or mailed directly from the institution to KDE Certification, 300 Sower Blvd., 5th Floor, Frankfort, KY 40601. The Education Professional Standards Board oversees all three certificate types and can answer questions specific to your situation.
Background Check Requirements
Every Kentucky school district requires a criminal background check before hiring a substitute teacher, separate from the EPSB certificate itself. The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) handles these checks through its FastCheck online system, or by mail. Contact the AOC Records Unit at 1001 Vandalay Drive, Frankfort, KY 40601, or by phone at 800-928-6381, for questions about a report.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a teaching degree to substitute teach in Kentucky?
No. A bachelor’s degree in any subject qualifies you for the five-year substitute certificate, and a high school diploma or equivalency qualifies you for the one-year emergency certificate if your district has a verified shortage.
How long does a Kentucky substitute certificate last?
It depends on which one you hold. The emergency certificate lasts one year, the standard certificate lasts five years, and the certificate tied to a Statement of Eligibility or prior teaching certificate lasts ten years.
Does holding a Kentucky teaching certificate let me substitute teach automatically?
Yes. A valid Kentucky teaching certificate authorizes substitute teaching at the rank shown on that certificate, and the EPSB issues the corresponding ten-year substitute certificate without a separate application.
Where do I apply for a Kentucky substitute teaching certificate?
Applications go through the Kentucky Educator Credentialing System (KECS) at kecs.education.ky.gov. You’ll need an official transcript, a completed character and fitness review, and the certificate fee.
Does a Kentucky substitute certificate let me work as a full-time teacher?
No. Any certificate for substitute teaching is valid only for substitute assignments and doesn’t authorize permanent replacement of a teacher of record.
- Kentucky issues three substitute certificates — emergency (high school diploma), standard (bachelor’s degree), and extended (Statement of Eligibility or prior teaching certificate).
- A bachelor’s degree in any field qualifies you — the five-year certificate doesn’t require an education degree or teaching coursework.
- Applications go through KECS — Kentucky’s online credentialing portal replaced paper applications for every certificate type, including substitutes.
- Background checks are separate from certification — districts require a criminal history check through the Administrative Office of the Courts before hiring.
- Districts must prioritize longer-term certificate holders — regularly certified teachers and ten-year certificate holders get hiring priority over emergency-certified substitutes.
Find accredited teacher certification programs in Kentucky, including application requirements and licensing timelines for your certification path.
