Kentucky Alternative Teacher Certification Process and Programs

Those interested in teaching careers in Kentucky who haven’t completed a teacher preparation program but have earned a bachelor’s degree can pursue alternative certification in Kentucky. Alternative teacher preparation programs, or nontraditional programs, are designed for those with a bachelor’s degree outside of education and typically lead to a certificate or master’s degree. If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree, see our guide to traditional certification in Kentucky. If you do have a bachelor’s degree, read more below on the options for alternative teacher licensing in Kentucky.

Table of Contents

• Kentucky Alternative Certification Requirements
• Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses
• Testing Requirements
• Licenses From Another State
• Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs
• Best Alternative Certification Programs
• Fastest Alternative Certification Programs
• Additional Resources

Requirements for Alternative Certification

To be eligible for alternative teacher certification in Kentucky, candidates must have at least a bachelor’s degree. Alternative teacher preparation programs in the state typically lead to a graduate certificate or a master’s degree in teaching, education, or a core subject that includes an approved certification program.

Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses in Kentucky

There are several alternative teaching licenses in Kentucky. These pathways are designed for flexibility based on candidates’ educational backgrounds and the subject they want to teach, also known as an endorsement. You can find further details about these options through the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB).

Option 1: Exceptional Work Experience for Teaching Grades P-12 Certification

Teaching candidates may be eligible for certification through the Exceptional Work Experience for Teaching Grades P-12 pathway if they have substantial work experience in an endorsement area, a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 2.75, a major in the subject they wish to teach (or a passing score on the Praxis II in that content area), and recommendations from employers for the related work experience submitted. Candidates must have an offer of employment from a local school district to qualify for this route. Certification for those who meet the requirements is based on portfolio approval. Once approved, candidates may teach for one year under a Provisional certificate while participating in the Kentucky Teacher Internship Program (KTIP). After KTIP completion, candidates are eligible for a Professional Certificate.

Option 2: Local District Training Program for Teaching Grades P-12 Certification

Individuals with a bachelor’s degree, 30 semester hours of study in an endorsement area or five years of exceptional work experience, and at least a 2.75 GPA may be eligible for this pathway (which is under revision). Candidates who meet these requirements and have an employment offer from a local school district may receive a Provisional Certificate which allows them to teach while completing the KTIP. After meeting KTIP and training requirements, candidates are eligible for the Professional Certificate. However, while the law permits this pathway, there are currently no approved programs in the state that provide it.

Option 3: College Faculty for Teaching Grades 8-12 Certification

Candidates may apply for K-12 certification under this route if they meet the qualifications and have an offer of employment. To qualify for this pathway, candidates must have a master’s degree and at least five years of full-time college teaching experience (equivalent to 90 semester credit hours) in the certification content area. Candidates who meet the requirements can receive a Provisional Certificate and teach for one year while completing the KTIP. After meeting KTIP and training requirements, candidates are eligible for the Professional Certificate.

Option 5: Veterans of the Armed Services Certification

Kentucky offers a special pathway to certification for veterans with at least six years of active duty and an honorable discharge who have a bachelor’s degree in an endorsement area with a GPA of at least 2.75 or an advanced degree. Veterans also need passing scores on EPSB-approved subject assessments. The Veterans of the Armed Services pathway allows these candidates to receive a Statement of Eligibility until they obtain employment. Once a teaching position is secured, the candidate will receive a Provisional Certificate to teach for one year while completing the KTIP. Successful completion of the KTIP leads to a Professional Certificate.

Option 6: University-Based Alternative Route for Teaching Grades P-12

Candidates with a bachelor’s degree and a GPA of at least 2.75 (or 3.0 on the last 30 credit hours taken) who are interested in earning a graduate certificate or master’s degree may be interested in the University-Based Alternative Route. Under this route, candidates complete an approved Kentucky teacher preparation program and the KTIP to earn a Professional Certificate. Once admitted to the teacher prep program, candidates are granted a letter of hiring eligibility, which they can use to obtain employment in a Kentucky school district. Once hired, they will receive a Temporary Provisional certificate.

Option 7: Institute Alternative Route

The Institute Alternative Route to Certification is for candidates with a bachelor’s degree with a major or a graduate degree in the desired endorsement area and a GPA of at least 2.75 overall or 3.0 on the last 30 credit hours completed. Candidates must have exceptional scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Core Academic Skills for Educators (Core) and a passing score on the academic content assessment in their desired subject area. Candidates then pursue a university-based certification program consisting of 180 clock hours (six hours per day per six weeks) for certification at the middle and secondary levels or 240 clock hours (six hours per day for eight weeks) at the elementary level. Currently, there are two approved programs in Kentucky offering this pathway. For further details, visit the EPSB.

Option 8: Teach for America (TFA)

Kentucky is one of several states that recognizes Teach for America (TFA) as a pathway to licensure. To qualify, you must have a bachelor’s degree and meet citizenship requirements. You must also have an offer of employment in the subject area in which you seek certification. Accepted candidates must meet additional requirements, including passing content area exams. Visit the TFA website to learn more.

Option 9: Expedited Route

The expedited route to certification allows candidates to receive their bachelor’s degree and initial certification in three school years. This requires a college or university to have a partnership with a school district to establish a residency program and provide experienced teachers as mentors. Candidates are employed in classified positions (not as teachers) while completing this program. Initial certification can be obtained once the candidate receives their bachelor’s degree and passes all certification assessments.

Emergency Certificate

School districts request this certificate when no qualified, certified teacher is available for an open position. Candidates for this certificate must have a GPA of at least 2.5 and pass a criminal records check. This certificate must be requested by the superintendent of the school board on the applicant’s behalf. Emergency Certificates don’t lead to Professional Certificates unless the candidate is pursuing another route to licensure.

Testing Requirements for Kentucky Alternative Certification

Alternative pathway candidates for Kentucky teacher certification must typically take the same exams as traditional pathway educators, the Praxis Core and Praxis Content Knowledge assessments. However, depending on the route to certification, candidates may need to take these exams before applying to an alternative certification program. Be sure to review the Praxis website for the appropriate exam process for your intended route.

Transferring Teaching Licenses from Another State

The EPSB evaluates reciprocity applications from teachers with out-of-state teaching certificates on a case-by-case basis. Candidates are required to take the Praxis Subject Tests for their subject area if they have less than two years of teaching experience in the endorsement area. For more detailed information, see our teaching certificate reciprocity guide or contact the EPSB.

Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs in Kentucky

To qualify for teacher certification, you must complete an approved teacher preparation program. Alternative route teacher licensing programs typically lead to a certificate or master’s degree. The not-for-profit, school-based alternative certification programs below have been approved by the EPSB for the preparation of teachers.

• — indicates none or not applicable.
• N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
• *Schools with an asterisk offer programs that can include paid classroom placements, subject to qualifications and experience. Students may be responsible for securing their own placement. Contact programs for further information.

Best Alternative Teacher Certification Programs in Kentucky

We used overall pass rates on the teacher licensing exams to identify the best alternative teacher certification programs in Kentucky. The following schools reported 100% pass rates for alternative and master’s program graduates.

• Murray State University (Alternative, Master’s)
• Northern Kentucky University (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s)
• Georgetown College (Alternative, Master’s)⁴

Fastest Alternative Certification Programs

The following schools have the fastest programs to qualify for alternative teacher certification in Kentucky based on the shortest possible time to completion. The shortest alternative certification programs are often the most affordable because they require fewer credit hours. Check with programs to verify program costs and funding opportunities.

1. University of Kentucky (12 months)
2. Spalding University (12 months)
3. Bellarmine University (21 months)
4. Northern Kentucky University (22 months)

Additional Resources

• Kentucky EPSB Alternative Routes to Teacher Certification: Overview of approved routes to certification for alternative path candidates.
• Interactive Alternative Pathway Form: Complete this questionnaire to find the best alternative pathway to teacher certification for you.

Related Articles

• Alternative Teacher Certification Guide
• Kentucky Traditional Teacher Certification Guide
• Teacher Certification Reciprocity Guide

References:
1. Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board: http://www.epsb.ky.gov/
2. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
3. Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP): https://aaqep.org/accredited-programs
4. US Department of Education 2021 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
5. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/