Kentucky School Counselor Certification Reciprocity

School Counselor Certification

by School Counselor Certification Staff

Updated: December 9th, 2024

Certification Reciprocity Process for School Counselors

Kentucky does not have full reciprocity regarding educator certification (see Kentucky’s overview of certification for out-of-state candidates), as each state has its unique requirements and regulations. As part of the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement, Kentucky accepts recommendations from teacher preparation programs from state-accredited colleges and universities in many states.

Out-of-state applicants must have completed a state-approved teacher preparation program at a regionally accredited educator preparation institution or a state-approved alternative training program. Candidates must also comply with state ancillary requirements such as GPA, testing, and internship.

The Kentucky Department of Education acknowledges the validity of out-of-state school counseling credentials for the initial Provisional School Counselor license. The application process entails the submission of a completed profile, official transcripts, a current license copy, and examination score verification, accompanied by an $85 licensure application fee.

How to Apply

To apply for certification, applicants must create/log in to their account in the new KECS system and click on “Start an Application” on the Dashboard page. A certification fee of $85 will be required as the final step before submitting the electronic application. Official transcripts must be submitted in addition to the application, either by mail on official transcript paper to KDE Certification or electronically sent directly from the institution’s third-party transcript provider to KDELicensure@education.ky.gov.

Kentucky state regulation 16 KAR 4:030 requires out-of-state graduates to provide a copy of their out-of-state teaching certificate or a printed copy from that state’s website verifying that they have obtained certification in the state where their program was completed. If candidates have tested outside of Kentucky, they must select the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board (code 7283) to have ETS electronically submit their scores to the office.

Kentucky does not recognize teaching credentials gained in another state only by passing an assessment. Applicants must meet the requirements of Kentucky regulations regarding out-of-state preparation as found in 16 KAR 4:030.

For individuals transitioning from another state, two (2) certification avenues exist:

1. General Teaching Certification

  • Requirements:
    • Successful completion of a state-approved teacher preparation program from a regionally accredited educator preparation institution or an approved alternative training program.
    • Adherence to state ancillary requirements such as GPA, testing, and internship, subject to individual case evaluation.
  • Application Process:
    • Commencing May 2, 2022, initiate the electronic certification application through the KECS system by creating/logging into your account.
    • Navigate to the Dashboard page, select “Start an Application,” and follow the prompts in the application wizard for Initial certification.
    • Conclude the process by paying a certification fee of $85 before submitting the electronic application.
  • Documentation:
    • Submission of official Bachelors and Masters/graduate transcripts, which can be sent via mail or electronically from the institution’s third-party transcript provider to KDELicensure@education.ky.gov.
    • Provision of a copy of the out-of-state teaching certificate or a printed verification from the state’s website where the program was completed.
  • PRAXIS Tests:
    • If presenting verified two (2) years of experience, Kentucky PRAXIS tests are not obligatory.
    • For those without experience, adherence to Kentucky PRAXIS requirements is necessary. If tested outside Kentucky, selecting code 7283 ensures ETS electronically transmits scores to the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board.

Note: Kentucky does not acknowledge teaching credentials solely acquired through the passage of an assessment in another state.

2. School Counselor Certification

  • Requirements:
    • Possession of a current, valid out-of-state school counseling credential.
  • Application Process:
    • Complete the profile and application on the Kentucky Department of Education website.
    • Submit official transcripts from all attended institutions.
    • Provide a copy of the current, valid license.
    • Furnish proof of scores for examinations completed in the licensing state, if applicable.
    • Accompany the submission with an $85 licensure application fee.

For further support, contact a certification specialist at kdelicensure@education.ky.gov or reach the Certification and Preparation office at (502)-564-4606 during regular business hours.