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Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board test requirements

Will I need another teacher test in Kentucky?

Requirements can differ by certificate, subject, grade span and prior score.

Open Educator Certification
Official state guidance State makes the decision Checked 2026-08-23

Testing and assessment treatment

Requirement

Kentucky waives its Praxis requirements for a noncompact applicant who documents two years of full-time classroom teaching in the subject and grade range supported by the completed preparation. Applicants with less experience submit the applicable Praxis specialty and Principles of Learning and Teaching tests; compact-eligible applicants use the separate compact review.

Which out-of-state path this covers

Kentucky uses a streamlined compact route for eligible educators with current licenses from participating states. Other out-of-state-prepared applicants follow Kentucky's preparation, academic and recency rules; two years of aligned full-time classroom experience can replace Kentucky's Praxis requirements.

What can change this answer

First determine whether the applicant completed approved preparation and holds a current license from a participating Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact state. Compact applicants request an eligibility review before applying. Noncompact applicants use 16 KAR 4:030; two years of full-time classroom teaching in the prepared subject and grade range waives Kentucky testing, while applicants with less experience submit the applicable Praxis specialty tests and Principles of Learning and Teaching assessment.

Documents you may need

Plan for official undergraduate and graduate transcripts, the Out-of-State EPP Program Completion form, aligned experience verification or Kentucky Praxis records, a current source license for compact cases and advanced-degree transcripts when seeking compact placement above Rank III.

Where the testing answer can change

  • Compact membership and eligibility must be rechecked when the case is opened
  • The compact route requires completed preparation and a current certificate from a participating state
  • Kentucky currently begins compact review at Rank III unless advanced-degree evidence supports a higher rank
  • A noncompact applicant can qualify through completed approved preparation without holding the source credential
  • Two years of full-time classroom experience must align with the prepared subject and grade range to waive Kentucky tests
  • A credential obtained only by passing an assessment remains insufficient
  • Kentucky's GPA, recency, Character and Fitness and application requirements still apply

Register and send scores only for the exact exam code named by the state agency.

Official sources

Check again by 2026-11-01