Kentucky Initial School Counselor Certification

Kentucky Provisional School Counselor Certification

In Kentucky, the predominant method for acquiring school counselor certification is through the provisional route, leading to the issuance of a five (5)-year Provisional Certificate for School Counselors (P-12). This certification is granted to individuals who have completed an approved master’s level program in school counseling.

The provisional certificate is renewable upon meeting specific regulations, such as completing a minimum of three (3) semester hours of graduate credit in counseling or school counseling. For teachers possessing a valid Kentucky teaching certificate, renewal of the provisional certificate involves fulfilling the renewal criteria for their teaching certificate after completing the standard certificate coursework for school counseling.

Reissuance of a lapsed Provisional Certificate is possible through application to the EPSB, necessitating compliance with specified regulations and providing evidence of completing a minimum of six semester hours of graduate credit in counseling or school counseling. Individuals with valid Provisional or Standard Certificates for Guidance counselors issued before August 5, 2005, can transition to a Provisional or Standard School Counselor certificate for all grades.

The following are steps required for initial certification:

Education or Degree Requirements

• A master’s degree in school guidance counseling from an approved, regionally accredited institution is required.
• See all schools offering school counseling degree programs in Kentucky.

Experience Requirements

Experience requirements come in the form of a school counseling internship, minimum of six (6) credits, and school counseling practicum, three (3) credits. This experience will be part of your master’s degree program.

Testing Requirements

There are no specific examination requirements for obtaining a school counseling endorsement in Kentucky. Candidates should stay informed about any updates or changes in testing requirements through official channels.

Background Checks

Background checks are essential for ensuring the safety and suitability of individuals working in educational settings. The Kentucky Department of Education only mandates a background check as a prerequisite for initial applications for school counselor certification if specifically requested by the legal department.

Typically, background checks are overseen at the discretion of individual school districts. However, individuals applying for licensure as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) or a Licensed Professional Associate (LPCA) are required to submit both a Kentucky Criminal Background Check and a Federal Criminal Background Check.

This entails obtaining a Kentucky Criminal Background Check through the Kentucky State Police (KSP) and a Federal Criminal Background Check through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). To facilitate the pre-employment background check process, applicants for licensure can utilize the Kentucky Applicant Registry and Employment (KARES) web portal. This online tool assists employers in checking abuse registries, verifying licensure status, and submitting applicants for fingerprint-based criminal background checks.

Application Process

The application process for school counselor certification in Kentucky has been transitioned to the Kentucky Educator Credentialing System (KECS). All applications are completed through the KECS system:

1. Create an account on the EPSB Web Portal.

2. Complete the application through the KECS system.

3. Submit necessary documentation, including official transcripts.

4. Pay the required fees through the KECS Web Portal.

• The KECS system is the online platform for all certification-related processes.
• Initial Application Fee: $85 (payable online through the KECS Web Portal).

Contact Information:

• For assistance, contact the Randa Solutions help desk at support@kecs.randasolutions.com.
• Kentucky Certification and Preparation Office:
  • Phone: (502)-564-4606
  • Email: kdelicensure@education.ky.gov.

State Administrative Code:

If you would like to read the specific administrative code regulating the requirements for certification, see KRS Chapters 161 and 16 KAR Chapters 3 and 6.