The usual steps
- Create or access the Kentucky Educator Credentialing System
- Select the initial out-of-state certification application
- Document the approved out-of-state preparation program and corresponding source requirements
- Submit official degree, coursework and GPA evidence
- Document the source credential's approved-preparation basis
- Show recent preparation, graduate credit or qualifying recent experience
- Complete the EPSB application and any background or fee requirements
What can change your path
- • Solely online out-of-state providers must satisfy additional approval and accreditation criteria
- • A source credential based only on a written or verbal assessment does not establish the required preparation
- • The corresponding Kentucky field and grade range are controlled by the completed preparation
- • An otherwise qualified applicant missing recency can receive a one-year certificate conditioned on six semester hours
What the state says
These facts come from official sources. The state agency still makes the final licensing decision.
Preparation controls alignment
Kentucky issues the certificate or statement of eligibility corresponding to the grade range and content area of qualifying out-of-state preparation after applying its degree, academic and GPA requirements.
Test-only credentials are insufficient
The applicant must show that the source license or certificate required an approved educator-preparation program rather than qualification based only on a written or verbal assessment.
Core evidence
The EPSB review requires evidence of the out-of-state program and its approvals, degree and academic records, GPA compliance, the preparation basis of the source credential and recency evidence.
Five-year recency rule
Preparation or six graduate semester hours ordinarily must be within five years of application; a qualifying fifth-year program plus two successful teaching years in the last ten can create an exception, and otherwise qualified applicants may receive a one-year credit-completion bridge.
Why your details matter
State websites describe the possible routes. The right one for you can depend on your license, preparation, experience, subjects, grades, tests, National Board status and compact eligibility. TeachPassport uses those details to build your checklist and keeps checking the state’s rules.
One thing to know: The preparation program must meet the source jurisdiction's approved requirements and Kentucky's academic standards; preparation or six graduate hours ordinarily must fall within five years, although qualifying recent experience can create an exception or a one-year recency bridge.