Kentucky Teacher Certification

Standard Routes to Certification for Teachers

Candidates Trained in Kentucky will need the following:

1) A completed TC-1 application form (.pdf)
2) Official transcripts of all graduate and undergraduate coursework
3) Verification by the Superintendent or Personnel Director of full-time classroom teaching experience at the appropriate grade level(s) (Section 2 of TC-1 (.pdf))
4) Passing Praxis II Specialty Area test scores for EACH area of certification and the Principles of Learning and Teaching test score for appropriate grade range
5) Verification of completion of teacher preparation program from the preparing college or university (Section 4 of TC-1 (.pdf))
6) $50 money order or certified check made payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer.

Candidates Trained Out-of State will need the following:

1) A completed a TC-1 application (.pdf). Forward this application to your college for the completion of Section IV on page 5 of the TC-1 application (.pdf).
2) Passing Praxis II Specialty Area test scores for EACH area of certification (if less than two years of appropriate full-time teaching experience) and the Principles of Learning and Teaching test score for appropriate grade range.
3) Have Section II completed by your superintendent, if you have out-of-state teaching experience.
4) Submit a certified check or money order in the amount of $50.00 made payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer
5) Have Official transcripts of all college and graduate coursework sent to:

Division of Certification
Education Professional Standards Board
100 Airport Road, 3rd Floor
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601

Additional Information: Out-of-state applicants must have completed a state approved teacher preparation program at a regionally accredited educator preparation institution or a state-approved alternative training program. In addition, candidates must comply with the state ancillary requirements such as GPA, testing and internship.

Out-of-state applicants who hold a valid certificate and have completed two years of teaching in the subject area and grade level on their certificate will be waived of the current testing requirements.

Candidates Trained Outside the U.S. will need the following:

1) A four-year bachelor’s degree teacher preparation program which includes a sequence of professional education courses
2) Practice teaching or student teaching component
3) A cumulative 2.5 grade point average or 3.0 on the last 60 hours of coursework
4) Copy of foreign teaching credential
5) A teaching area recognized by Kentucky as an area of certification

Additional Information: Applicants with foreign training must meet the same academic requirements as applicants trained in the United States and submit the documentation listed above. A course-by-course evaluation MUST also be submitted from one of the approved evaluation agencies indicating that the foreign degree(s) meet(s) the above criteria.

Link to Approved Credential Evaluation Agencies

Teacher Certification Renewal

First 5-year renewal

1) Completion of a TC-2 (.pdf) application; and
2) 15 graduate hours or half of CEO requirements; and
3) The signature of the superintendent verifying your three years of teaching experience OR
an OFFICIAL transcript of the courses you have completed for renewal and the recommendation from the college of education official (if applicable).
4) $50 processing fee in the form of a money order, cashier or certified check made payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer.

Second 5-year renewal

1) Completion of a TC-2 (.pdf) application; and
2) Completion of an approved Master’s degree or an approved Fifth Year program (32 graduate hours) or completion of CEO requirements; and
3) The signature of the superintendent verifying your three years of teaching experience OR
an OFFICIAL transcript of the courses you have completed for renewal and the recommendation from the college of education official (if applicable).
4) $50 processing fee in the form of a money order, cashier or certified check made payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer.

Subsequent 5-year renewals

1) Completion of a TC-2 (.pdf) application; and
2) Three years of classroom teaching during the last 5-year period of the certificate OR six semester hours of additional graduate credit ; and
3) The signature of the superintendent verifying your three years of teaching experience OR
an OFFICIAL transcript of the courses you have completed for renewal and the recommendation from the college of education official (if applicable).
4) $50 processing fee in the form of a money order, cashier or certified check made payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer.

Additional Information: Educators may also complete Rank I and additional certifications as part of the renewal requirements.

Division of Certification
Education Professional Standards Board
100 Airport Road, 3rd Floor
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON: KENTUCKY TEACHER CERTIFICATION