Educator Certification

PLEASE REVIEW THE INFORMATION BELOW. THIS ROUTE IS FOR INITIAL CERTIFICATION ONLY.  IF YOU FEEL THAT YOU MAY BE AN ELIGIBLE CANDIDATE THROUGH THIS ROUTE, PLEASE CONTACT  SHARON SALSMAN AT:  sharon.salsman@education.ky.gov

Option 7:  Institute Alternative Route

In this option, candidates complete training through an approved institute that addresses multiple research-based teaching strategies and practices. Candidates with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in an academic content area and 2.75 GPA may be eligible for this pathway.  Approved Option 7 providers can be located at https://wd.kyepsb.net/epsb.webapps/admissionsexit/ApprovedPrograms/ApprovedPrgReport.aspx?pOrgId=&pRoute=2&pType=&pDType=&pCat=. 

This route is for initial certification only. Please review the information below. If you feel that you may be an eligible candidate through this route, please email Sharon Salsman​. 

Prior to receiving a one (1) year provisional certificate, the candidate shall meet the following:

• Possess a bachelor's degree with a declared academic major in the area in which certification is sought or a graduate degree in a field related to the area in which certification is sought; and
• Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of two and seventy-five hundredths (2.75) on a four (4) point scale or a minimum grade point average of three (3) on a four (4) point scale on the last thirty (30) hours of credit completed, including undergraduate and graduate coursework from a nationally or regionally accredited postsecondary institution.

Prior to receiving your Professional Certificate, the teacher candidate shall meet the following program and certification requirements:

• A candidate seeking elementary teaching, the individual shall successfully complete the equivalent of a two hundred forty (240) hour institute, based on six (6) hour days for eight (8) weeks.
• A candidate seeking middle and secondary teaching, the individual shall successfully complete the equivalent of a one hundred eighty (180) hour institute, based on six (6) hour days for six (6) weeks. 
• Have a passing score on the academic content assessment(s) in the area in which certification is being sought as designated by the Education Professional Standards Board.
• Receive a recommendation from the approved Educator Preparation Provider/Institute.

A candidate must have a recommendation from the employing school district for issuance of the professional certificate. The district recommendation is just verifying one year of teaching experience and does not require the district to offer continued employment.