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Kentucky Teacher Certification and Career Guide

All public K-12 teachers in Kentucky must be certified by the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB), who oversees the state’s teacher certification process. The main steps for the traditional path to teacher certification in Kentucky are:

  1. Complete a bachelor’s degree with a state-approved teacher preparation component.
  2. Complete a student teaching placement.
  3. Pass the required teacher certification exams.
  4. Apply for a teaching certificate or license.
  5. Upgrade your certificate, if desired.

Continue reading to learn more about the traditional certification pathway in Kentucky.

Table of Contents


How to Become a Teacher in Kentucky

This section outlines the steps to become a certified teacher in Kentucky via the traditional pathway. Kentucky has a tiered certification system for teachers:

  • Rank III: For new teachers who have met the state’s requirements for teachers.
  • Rank II: For teachers who have earned an approved master’s degree or the equivalent ongoing education, or who have initial National Board Certification (NBCT).
  • Rank I: Must meet the requirements for Rank II and additionally have completed an approved master’s degree or equivalent continuing education, 30 semester hours of approved graduate work or equivalent continuing education, or achieve NBCT certification.

If you are a bachelor’s degree holder who has yet to complete a teacher preparation program, check out our guide to alternative teacher certification in Kentucky.

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree that includes an approved teacher preparation program.

Kentucky requires prospective teachers to hold a bachelor’s degree and complete an approved educator preparation program (EPP). The bachelor’s program you pursue will depend on the grade level and subject you wish to teach. You can find a list of EPPs that are approved by the EPSB on their website.

You can compare key metrics for state-approved teacher preparation programs on our Kentucky schools page. You can also read about two important accreditations to consider, institutional accreditation and programmatic accreditation, on our teaching schools guide.

2. Complete a student teaching placement.

As part of their EPP, teacher candidates will complete a student teaching assignment. In Kentucky, at least one full semester (or 70 days) of student teaching is required. Before the student teaching placement, teacher candidates will complete 200 clock hours of field experience in a variety of school settings. During the student teaching placement, teacher candidates will work with cooperating teachers with at least three years of experience and specialized training to support the student teacher. The ratio of student teachers to cooperating teachers is one-to-one.

To meet the requirements for state certification, the student teaching placement should be at the grade level and in the subject you wish to teach. Some programs may offer longer student teaching placements or the opportunity to pursue multiple placements.

3. Pass the required Kentucky teacher exams.

Kentucky State SealOnce they have passed the educational requirements, prospective teachers must pass the Praxis exams before gaining initial certification. All prospective educators must pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators tests (Reading, Writing, and Mathematics), which are commonly required for admission to Kentucky EPPs. Candidates must also complete the Praxis Subject test in their desired content area and the Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) test for their targeted grade range. The Praxis exams are administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS) and taken by computer at test centers by appointment.

4. Apply for Kentucky teacher certification.

Once prospective educators have completed all of the requirements stipulated by the EPSB, an application for a teaching certificate must be submitted, along with:

  • Official transcripts from all graduate and undergraduate coursework
  • Passing scores on the Praxis exams
  • Verification of completion of approved EPP
  • Fingerprint based background check
  • Non-refundable application fee

Applications should be completed online using the Kentucky Educator Credentialing System (KECS) portal.

Visit the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) for further details on becoming a certified teacher in Kentucky.

5. Upgrade your certificate, if desired.

Teachers who have a master’s degree in a subject approved by the EPSB can upgrade to a Rank II Certificate. This request can be accomplished electronically via the KECS portal by selecting the Rank Change option and paying the fee.

Guide to Other Teaching Pathways

Kentucky Teacher Certification Renewal

The Initial certificate must be renewed every five years by completing three years of classroom teaching or gaining six semester hours of additional graduate credit. In addition, teachers in Kentucky can work towards more advanced ranks in the state’s three-tier rank system.

All required documentation and the renewal application must be submitted through the KECS portal.

Adding Subjects or Grades to a Certificate

Once you receive your teaching certificate, you will only be eligible to work as a teacher in the grade levels and certification areas listed on your certificate, though occasional, temporary exceptions are made. In Kentucky, candidates who hold a valid classroom teaching certificate can qualify for additional certifications by completing an approved EPP in an additional area. Contact a Kentucky college or university for more information. You can find a list of endorsements on the EPSB website.

Kentucky Teaching License Reciprocity

Teachers licensed in other states with at least two years of teaching experience in the subject area and grade level on their certificate can apply for Kentucky certification without submitting exam results. Teachers with less than two years of experience can submit their Praxis exam scores with their application. Candidates must create a KECS account and provide:

  • Official transcripts from all colleges attended
  • Copies of out-of-state teaching certificates
  • Verification of licensure tests taken, if necessary
  • Documentation of two years of school experience in the certification areas, if applicable

For additional information on reciprocity refer to the EPSB website. You can learn more about transferring a teaching certificate or license between states on our guide to certification reciprocity.

In addition to standard classroom teaching certificates, the EPSB issues credentials in a variety of support and administrative areas. These include:

  • School Counselor Certificate, P-12: Must have completed an approved master’s level program in school counseling, three to six credit hours from an approved graduate level counseling or school counseling program, one year of full-time employment as a provisionally certified school counselor, a valid Kentucky Professional Teaching Certificate, and at least one year of full-time classroom teaching experience.
  • Superintendent Certificate: For prospective superintendents who have completed an approved preparation program, at least two years of experience in a school supervisory position, a master’s degree, and completed levels I and II preparation and certification for the position of school principal or supervisor of instruction.
  • Supervisor of Instruction Certification: For applicants who have completed an approved preparation program, three years of full-time teaching experience, a master’s degree, and qualify for a Kentucky teaching certificate.

Additional certifications are available for other administrative and leadership roles. For more information, visit the EPSB website.

Kentucky Teacher Outlook, Salary, and Jobs

Projected Job Growth

1.4%

Growth in Teaching Jobs in KY through 20322*

According to the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the state of Kentucky has a student-to-teacher ratio of 16:1.3 During the 2017-2018 school year, there were 1,533 public K-12 schools in Kentucky, which enrolled a student population of 680,978 with about 42,064 teachers.3

Job prospects for teachers through 2032 are slightly stronger in Kentucky than the expected national averages, with job growth for Kentucky elementary teachers projected at 1.2% compared to 0.7% nationally; for Kentucky middle school teachers, 1.4% compared to 0.8% nationally; and for Kentucky secondary school teachers, 1.6% compared to 1% nationally.2 The table below provides a detailed comparison of job growth prospects and salary levels for Kentucky teachers.

TypeNumber Employed in KY4Average Annual Openings in KY2KY Proj. Job Growth 2022-20322Average Annual Salary in KY425th Percentile Wages in KY575th Percentile Wages in KY5
Preschool Teachers3,7603104.4%$39,520$27,860$49,500
Preschool Teachers, Special Education—00%———
Kindergarten Teachers2,4902501.3%$57,770$49,250$63,700
Elementary School Teachers18,3701,1501.2%$57,370$49,420$63,420
Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Special Education3,6002200.3%$56,690$49,140$62,800
Middle School Teachers8,3505301.4%$58,060$49,900$64,130
Middle School Teachers, Special Education1,680——$56,290$49,020$63,250
Middle School Teachers, Career/Technical Education—00%———
Secondary School Teachers12,6007401.6%$60,460$50,440$65,270
Secondary School Teachers, Special Education2,280——$57,990$49,660$63,770
Secondary School Teachers, Career/Technical Education300203.8%$61,600$50,750$69,470

*The estimated job growth average is based on projections for mainstream kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high school teachers. Projections for other categories, such as special education and career and technical education, may be higher or lower than the average.

Teacher Shortages in Kentucky

Most of the US is dealing with an educator shortage. According to the US Department of Education Teacher Shortage Area report for 2023-2024, Kentucky has designated the following deficits:

According to recent research, there were over 2,000 unfilled teaching positions in Kentucky during the 2022-2023 school year.7 During the 2021-2022 school year, 3,391 teachers in the state were considered underqualified for their position, which includes teachers assigned to classrooms outside their certification field on a temporary or emergency basis.7

Additional Resources

Related Articles

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: How do I become an elementary teacher in Kentucky?

Answer: Becoming an elementary teacher in Kentucky in a public school requires certification from the state. You must have a bachelor’s degree and complete a teacher education program in elementary education at an accredited university. You must also pass state exams for teaching practices and basic skills and participate in student teaching. Private schools may have other requirements.

Question: How many private schools and private school teachers are there in Kentucky?

Answer: According to the latest statistics available, as of the 2019-20 school year, there were 409 private schools in Kentucky, with 7,160 full-time teachers and 72,565 students.8 Kentucky law does not require private school teachers to be certified, though some schools may prefer to hire teachers with state credentials. Check with private schools in your area to confirm requirements.

References:
1. Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board: http://www.epsb.ky.gov/
2. Projections Central, Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm
3. National Center for Education Statistics, State Nonfiscal Public Elementary/Secondary Education Survey Data, 2017-2018: https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/stnfis.asp
4. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Kentucky: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ky.htm
5. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm
6. US Department of Education, Teacher Shortage Areas: https://tsa.ed.gov/#/reports
7. Teacher Shortages in the United States, Tuan D. Nguyen et al.: https://teachershortages.com/
8. National Center for Education Statistics, Private School Universe Survey, 2019-20: https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pss/tables/TABLE15fl1920.asp