How to become a substitute teacher in Kentucky
Kentucky's Education Professional Standards Board issues three substitute certificates. The one-year emergency certificate needs a high school diploma or equivalent and a job offer from a Kentucky district. The five-year certificate needs a bachelor's degree. The ten-year certificate is for people who hold or held a teaching certificate. The application includes character and fitness questions. Ask the hiring district about its background check.
Checked October 30, 2026 on the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board (Kentucky Department of Education)'s own pages. Rules change; the state's page and your district have the last word.
At a glance
| Least schooling | A high school diploma or equivalent |
|---|---|
| Credential | Emergency Certificate for Substitute Teaching (one year), or the five-year or ten-year Certificate for Substitute Teaching |
| Background check | The application includes character and fitness questions. Ask the hiring district about its background check. |
| How long it lasts | One year, five years or ten years, depending on the certificate. |
| Who issues it | Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board (Kentucky Department of Education) |
How to get it
- Get an offer of employment from a Kentucky school district.
- Give the district your diploma or transcripts to review.
- Apply to the Education Professional Standards Board, answering the character and fitness questions.
- For the five-year or ten-year certificate, send an official transcript showing your bachelor's degree.
Limits and conditions
- The emergency certificate is not valid for full-time sub work or for replacing a teacher of record more than 20 instructional days in a row.
- No substitute certificate is valid for permanently replacing a teacher of record.
Ready for the first day
Sources
- Kentucky Department of Education, Substitute Certification (opened October 30, 2026)
- 16 KAR 2:030, Substitute teachers (opened October 30, 2026)
- KRS 161.102, Substitute teaching certificates (opened October 30, 2026)
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