Overview of Kentucky Testing Requirements

How to Qualify for Certification

For initial certification in Kentucky, all candidates must:

• Complete an approved educator preparation program
• Pass The Praxis Series™ tests for their certification area 
• Complete the Kentucky Teacher Internship Program
• Submit the appropriate certification form and fees
• Verify additional options for their Kentucky educator certification
• Assessments for the Kentucky Principal Certification

Important Information

• Please note: Not all tests are offered on each administration date. Please plan ahead by checking the Test Date Exceptions table on the Test Centers and Dates page.
• Kentucky requires your name, address, date of birth and the last four digits of your Social Security number (SSN) to process educator certification paperwork. ETS does not require your SSN for its own purposes, but will submit your information to the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board (KYEPSB) with your test results. To provide KYEPSB with the last four digits of your SSN use zeros for the first five digits as follows: 000-00-1234. Failure to provide the information requested above could delay processing of your certification application.
• If you test in Kentucky, your score report will be sent automatically to the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board. If you test outside of Kentucky, select the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board (code R7283) as a score recipient when you register or on an additional score report request. You may select up to three recipients at no charge during registration or purchase additional reporting after you test.

• ETS is offering several additional tests in a computer-delivered format that will be introduced throughout the testing year. These computer-delivered assessments are given by appointment through a national network of Prometric™ Testing Centers. Visit Test Centers and Dates to find testing centers near you.

  For tests available in both formats (paper and computer), the computer-delivered versions cover the same content as the paper-delivered versions and are scored on the same scale; however, the computer-delivered tests have different test codes.

  Titles available in May 2012:

  • English Language, Literature, and Composition: Content Knowledge (5041)
  • Social Studies: Content Knowledge (5081)

  Titles available in June 2012:

  • Health Education (5550)
  • Mathematics: Content Knowledge (5061)

• Titles available in August 2012:

  • Physical Education: Content Knowledge (5091)
  • Health and Physical Education: Content Knowledge (5856)
• Speech Language Pathology Assistants (SLPAs) are not required to take the Education of Exceptional Students: Core Content Knowledge (5354) or Speech-Language Pathology (0330) assessments for Kentucky educator certification. Please contact the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board for additional information on SLPA educator certification requirements.

Who Must Take the Tests?

Most teacher candidates or those wishing to become certified in Kentucky must take The Praxis Series™ tests. If you are an Industrial Education candidate, see the examination prerequisites for occupation-based career and technical education teachers or contact KYEPSB.

Praxis I® Requirements

Prior to entering a teacher education program at your college or university, you may be required to take the Praxis I tests to demonstrate your qualifications. Each preparation program may have different requirements. Before registering for Praxis I, contact your advisor/program coordinator to determine your requirements.

Praxis II® Requirements

Traditional Certification Route

Individuals who have completed a traditional teacher preparation program must successfully complete the Praxis II tests as part of the educator certification process.

Alternative Certification Routes

Visit the Kentucky Educational Professional Standards Board for alternative route assessment requirements.

Note: A passing score on a test, as required at the time you take the test, shall be valid for the purpose of applying for certification for five (5) years from the test administration date.

See also:

• About the Praxis™ Tests
• The Praxis Series™ Information Bulletin
• Prepare for a Test
• Register for a Test 
• Accommodations for Test Takers with Disabilities