Division of Educator Licensure and Quality

The Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board issues a Five (5)-Year Certificate for Substitute Teaching and Ten (10)-Year Certificate for Substitute Teaching.

Five (5)-Year Certificate for Substitute Teaching:

Candidates shall have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited postsecondary institution.

How to Apply for the Five (5)-Year Certificate for Substitute Teaching

Individuals holding a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited postsecondary institution:

• Log into the KECS Web Portal to initiate an electronic application for the 5 year substitute certificate
• Complete the steps of the application:     

• Official transcripts evidencing completion of a bachelor’s degree;
• Complete the character and fitness review; and,
• $15 application fee.

Ten (10)-Year Certificate for Substitute Teaching:

• Candidates must hold, or previously held, a valid Kentucky or out-of-state teaching certificate.
• Have previously held a Kentucky certificate for classroom teaching for which the completion of a 4-year teacher preparation program and a B.A. degree were required

How to Apply for the Ten (10)-Year Cwertificate for Substitute Teaching

• For candidates who currently hold, or previously held a Kentucky teaching certificate or statement of eligibility, the application requires:
• Completion of the character and fitness review; and,
• $15 application fee

Individuals holding an out-of-state teaching certificate will need to:

• Log into the KECS Web Portal to initiate an electronic application for the 5 year substitute certificate
• Submit OFFICIAL college transcripts of undergraduate degree and graduate degree, if applicable, electronically.  Transcripts should be submitted officially to KDElicensure@education.ky.gov.  
• Applicants will be required to upload a copy of their out-of-state teaching certificate (current or expired)
• Complete the application and make the $15 payment through the online payment service to submit the electronic application in KECS.

NOTE: ANY certificate for substitute teaching is valid for substitute teaching only; it is NOT valid for continuous part-time employment for classroom teaching or as a permanent replacement for a teacher of record.