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Kentucky Emergency Teacher Certification Requirements

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Kentucky Emergency Teacher Certification Requirements

Kentucky’s teacher shortage has reached levels not seen in the state’s modern educational history. In the 2025-26 school year, the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) had issued 401 emergency teaching certificates as of September 1 — certificates that are, by official description, ‘supposed to be reserved for truly emergent situations.’ 

Table of contents

As KDE Associate Commissioner Meredith Brewer stated at the October 14, 2025 Superintendents Webcast: ‘It is supposed to be strictly limited and is valid for just that specific job for which the emergency certificate is issued.’

That tension — between the emergency nature of the certificate and the chronic, structural shortage that forces districts to use it — is at the heart of understanding Kentucky emergency teacher certification. 

This Prepsaret guide covers every aspect of the emergency certificate system: the four distinct certificate types, the legal requirements for each, the critical prohibition against SpEd and IECE emergency certification under federal IDEA law, the application process, rank and salary provisions, and the data context that explains why 401 emergency certificates represent both a tool of last resort and a symptom of deeper workforce challenges.

What Makes a Certificate ‘Emergency’ in Kentucky?
An emergency certificate is issued ONLY when a district cannot fill a certified teaching position with a qualified teacher.
The district — not the individual — initiates the application for emergency certification through KECS, with prior local board of education approval.
Emergency certificates are job-specific: valid for the specific position for which issued, for one school year only.
They are a last resort, not a standard hiring pathway.
The EPSB ‘shall approve or disapprove a request for the employment of emergency teachers’ based on assessment of need and availability of qualified teachers — approval is not automatic.
The beginning date of the certificate may be no earlier than the date the request form is received by the EPSB.
Source: 16 KAR 2:120 (KY LRC); Go Teach KY Emergency Certification (April 1, 2025); KRS 161.100.

Kentucky emergency teacher certification is governed by two primary legal authorities, operating together:

  • KRS 161.100 — Emergency certificates: This statute authorizes the EPSB to ‘establish qualifications for granting emergency certificates if qualified teachers are not available for specific positions.’ It is the statutory grant of authority to the EPSB for the entire emergency certification system. KRS 161.100 defines the outer boundaries of who may receive an emergency certificate and under what conditions.
  • 16 KAR 2:120 — Emergency teaching certification and out-of-field teaching: This is the primary administrative regulation that operationalizes KRS 161.100. It establishes the specific eligibility requirements for each type of emergency certificate, the application procedures, rank and salary provisions, the EPSB’s monitoring obligations, and the prohibition against emergency certification for SpEd and IECE positions. Also establishes the out-of-field teaching classification framework per KRS 161.1221(1).
  • 16 KAR 2:030 — Substitute teachers: Governs substitute teaching certificates, including the new emergency substitute provision (effective July 15, 2024) requiring only a high school diploma. Effective until February 27, 2027 (emergency regulation).
  • 16 KAR 2:010 — Kentucky Professional and Provisional Teacher Certificates: References emergency certificates: ‘The EPSB shall issue an emergency certificate pursuant to 16 KAR 2:120.’ Also establishes the Section 3(1) compliance requirement referenced in emergency certificate applications.
  • 34 C.F.R. § 300.156 / IDEA Section 612(a)(14): Federal regulation under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act that prohibits emergency certification for special education and IECE positions. This federal requirement is what drives the state prohibition in Go Teach KY and the KDE July 2024 Guidance.

Sources: apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/kar/titles/016/002/120/ (KY LRC, 16 KAR 2:120); law.cornell.edu/regulations/kentucky/16-KAR-2-120 (Cornell LII); law.cornell.edu/regulations/kentucky/16-KAR-2-030 (Cornell LII, effective July 15, 2024); Go Teach KY Emergency Certification (April 1, 2025); KDE Certification Guidance July 2024 PDF.

What Emergency Certification Is — and Is NOT

Understanding the nature and limits of emergency certification prevents costly misunderstandings for both candidates and districts.

What Emergency Certification IS

  • A job-specific, one-year certificate issued by the EPSB when no qualified teacher is available for a specific vacancy
  • A district-initiated application process requiring local board of education approval
  • A last-resort tool for filling positions that cannot be filled with properly certified teachers or alternative-route candidates
  • A way for individuals who do not hold teaching certification to work in a classroom role while the district continues efforts to hire a qualified teacher
  • Available for full-time teaching, part-time teaching, and substitute teaching positions (with different requirements for each)

What Emergency Certification IS NOT

  • It is NOT a pathway to a Professional Teaching Certificate — completing an emergency certificate year does not lead to regular certification
  • It is NOT a replacement for proper teacher preparation — it is explicitly a stopgap
  • It is NOT available for Special Education (Exceptional Children) or IECE (Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education) positions under any circumstances
  • It is NOT automatically renewed — each emergency certificate is issued for one specific position for one school year
  • It is NOT initiated by the candidate — the district must initiate the KECS application following local board approval
  • It is NOT a guaranteed approval — the EPSB reviews each request and may deny it based on availability of qualified teachers or other factors

Emergency Certification vs. Alternative Certification

Feature Emergency Certificate Alternative Certification (Options 6-9)
Who initiates? District (after board approval) Candidate (applies to university program)
Leads to Professional Cert? No Yes — after completing program + KTIP
Duration 1 school year Up to 5 years (or 3 for SpEd/IECE)
SpEd/IECE allowed? NO — prohibited by IDEA Yes (with 3-year IDEA limit)
Application through KECS by the district (Form CA-4F for full-time) KECS by candidate through university
Primary purpose Fill urgent vacancy when no qualified teacher found Pathway to full professional certification
Professional development required? No (just meet minimum qualifications) Yes — complete preparation program coursework
Rank assigned Rank IV (if no current KY cert); existing rank (if certified) Rank III (upon Professional Cert completion)

Sources: 16 KAR 2:120 (Cornell LII; KY LRC); Go Teach KY Emergency Certification (April 1, 2025); KDE Certification Guidance July 2024; TTT.KY.GOV Option 6. 

Emergency Teaching Certificate (Full-Time or Part-Time)

The Emergency Teaching Certificate for full-time or part-time employment is the primary type used when a district needs someone to serve as the teacher of record in a classroom but cannot find a qualified, certified teacher for that specific position.

Eligibility Requirements (16 KAR 2:120, Section 2)

Emergency Teaching Certificate (Full-Time/Part-Time) — Eligibility Requirements
DEGREE REQUIREMENT: Bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university
GPA REQUIREMENT (must meet ONE of the following):
  Option A: Cumulative minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (all undergraduate work), OR
  Option B: Minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale on the last thirty (30) hours of credit completed (including undergraduate and graduate coursework)
NOTE: The Form CA-4F (Application for Full-Time Emergency Certification) reflects a GPA standard of 2.5 cumulative or 3.0 on the last 60 hours — verify current requirements directly with EPSB as form versions may differ from the most current regulation.
EMPLOYMENT OFFER: Must have a documented offer of employment in a Kentucky school district in the area for which emergency certification is being sought
OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS: Must provide official transcripts showing all college or university credits necessary for the requested certificate
BOARD APPROVAL: The local board of education must have approved the emergency certification request prior to district submission
DISQUALIFIER: Emergency certificate WILL NOT be issued to individuals who have been judged unsatisfactory in the Kentucky Teacher Internship Program (KTIP per 16 KAR 7:010)
Source: 16 KAR 2:120, Section 2(1)-(2) (Cornell LII; KY LRC); Go Teach KY Emergency Certification (April 1, 2025).

Validity and Scope

  • Duration: One (1) school year. The term of validity may be limited to LESS than the full school year based on the EPSB’s assessment of need.
  • Start date: The beginning date of the certificate shall be no earlier than the date the request form is received by the EPSB. Retroactive certification is not possible.
  • Job-specific: The certificate is valid for the specific position for which it was issued in the specific district that initiated the application.
  • Subsequent full-time emergency certificates: Per the CA-4F form, the applicant ‘shall not be eligible for subsequent full-time emergency certificates except in limited circumstances as defined in 16 KAR 2:120.’ Emergency certification is explicitly not designed for repeated multi-year use in full-time positions.
  • EPSB approval: The EPSB ‘shall approve or disapprove a request for the employment of emergency teachers’ based on assessment of the need for the position and the availability (or anticipated availability) of qualified teachers. Approval is not guaranteed or automatic.

Sources: 16 KAR 2:120, Section 2(1)(c) (term of validity); 16 KAR 2:120, Section 2(1)(b) (EPSB approval/disapproval authority); CA-4F Application for Full-Time Emergency Certification (Superintendent Section IV); Cornell LII 16 KAR 2:120.

No Praxis Requirement

Unlike traditional certification and alternative route certification, the emergency teaching certificate does NOT require passing Praxis assessments. This is precisely because emergency certification is not a credentialing pathway but a short-term staffing solution. 

The absence of a testing requirement is one of the key distinctions that makes emergency certification inappropriate as a regular employment strategy — and one of the factors that prompted KDE’s emphasis that it should be ‘reserved for truly emergent situations.’

⚠ No Praxis Required Does Not Mean No Standards: Emergency certificate holders still must meet the minimum degree and GPA requirements, receive board approval, provide official transcripts, and pass a background check. The absence of Praxis reflects the emergency nature of the situation, not an absence of minimum academic preparation.

Emergency Substitute Certificate (Standard Track)

The Emergency Substitute Certificate (standard track, under 16 KAR 2:120) allows individuals who do not hold a full teaching certificate to serve as substitute teachers. This certificate exists separately from the regular Substitute Teaching Certificate (which requires a full bachelor’s degree and, in some tracks, a completed teacher preparation program).

Eligibility Requirements — Standard Emergency Substitute Track

Emergency Substitute Certificate (Standard Track) — 16 KAR 2:120
CREDIT HOURS: Minimum of sixty-four (64) semester hours of credit from a regionally accredited institution, AND
GPA REQUIREMENT (ONE of the following):
  Option A: Cumulative minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, OR
  Option B: Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on the last sixty (60) hours of credit completed (including undergraduate and graduate coursework)
NOTE: The 3.0 GPA applies to the LAST 60 HOURS, not the last 30. This is different from the full-time emergency certificate’s last-30-hours standard.
GPA EXEMPTION: GPA requirements do not apply to applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher (Washington County Schools substitute page confirms this district practice).
EMPLOYMENT OFFER: Must have an offer of employment in a Kentucky school district
BACKGROUND CHECK: Required since January 1, 2015 (see Section 12)
Source: 16 KAR 2:120, Section 3(1) (KY LRC; Cornell LII); Washington County Schools substitute teaching page.

Application Process for Emergency Substitute Certificates

Per 16 KAR 2:120, the emergency substitute certificate application process has specific procedural requirements distinct from other certificate types:

  • Beginning January 1, 2015: A candidate for an emergency certificate for substitute teaching must complete Form CA-4 by using the EPSB Online Emergency Substitute Application System, in accordance with the Online Emergency Substitute Implementation Guide for Kentucky School Districts.
  • EPSB Online Application System: The substitute emergency certificate is processed through a dedicated online system, not the standard KECS portal that handles full-time emergency certificates.
  • Character and Fitness: Any CA-4 application on which the candidate has provided an affirmative answer to any question in Section IV (Character and Fitness) must be submitted by the local school district to EPSB for approval BEFORE employing the candidate.
  • District-level management: The superintendent and local board establish the need for emergency substitute teachers based on anticipated shortages, in accordance with district policies.

Sources: 16 KAR 2:120 (PDF markup version — apps.legislature.ky.gov/services/karmaservice); KY LRC 16 KAR 2:120; Washington County Schools Substitute Teaching page.

Emergency Substitute (High School Diploma Only)

This is the most significant regulatory change to Kentucky emergency teacher certification in recent years. Effective July 15, 2024, the EPSB adopted an emergency administrative regulation (16 KAR 2:030) that created a new, substantially lower-threshold track for the one-year emergency substitute certificate.

The 2024 Change

Per 16 KAR 2:030 (Section 1, effective July 15, 2024, expires February 27, 2027):

New 2024 Emergency Substitute Certificate — High School Diploma Track (16 KAR 2:030)
REQUIREMENT: Minimum of a high school diploma OR high school equivalency diploma (GED)
NO credit hours required
NO GPA threshold
Verification: The local school district reviews qualifications and transcripts for each applicant and verifies to the EPSB that the candidate possesses the minimum high school diploma or equivalency
Application: Submitted to EPSB with (a) verification of offer of employment in a Kentucky school district; (b) verification of high school diploma/equivalency; and (c) compliance with 16 KAR 2:010, Section 3(1)
Duration: One (1) year
This emergency regulation replaced the prior requirement of 64 semester hours + GPA for the substitute emergency track specifically
Status: Emergency regulation effective July 15, 2024; expires February 27, 2027
Source: 16 KAR 2:030, Section 1 (Cornell LII, effective July 15, 2024); KSBA meeting document (AttachmentID=806704).

Why This Change Was Made

A KSBA (Kentucky School Boards Association) meeting document that preceded the regulation’s adoption noted explicitly: ‘The 1-year Emergency substitute certificate no longer requires 64 semester hours and a minimum GPA. It only requires a HS diploma or GED. There will be a guidance document that will be released by KDE around the middle of May to help districts with navigating this change.’

This change was driven by the persistent substitute teacher shortage across Kentucky. Districts were regularly unable to find even emergency-certified substitutes. By reducing the entry threshold to a high school diploma, the EPSB made it possible for a much larger pool of community members to serve as emergency substitute teachers while the district continues to pursue qualified candidates.

⚠ Sunset Date: This emergency substitute regulation (16 KAR 2:030 effective July 15, 2024) is a temporary emergency regulation with an expiration date of February 27, 2027. The EPSB or General Assembly must act before that date for this lower threshold to remain in effect beyond 2027. Monitor EPSB announcements and KDE Certification Guidance updates.

Sources: 16 KAR 2:030, Section 1 (Cornell LII, July 15, 2024); KSBA Meeting Attachment (AttachmentID=806704); Go Teach KY Emergency Certification (April 1, 2025).

Emergency Occupation-Based CTE Substitute Certificate

A fourth type of emergency certification exists specifically for career and technical education (CTE) substitute positions. This certificate recognizes that CTE positions require occupational expertise rather than academic credentials — a welder teaching welding does not necessarily need a bachelor’s degree.

Eligibility Requirements

Emergency Occupation-Based CTE Substitute Certificate — 16 KAR 2:120
EXPERIENCE: Minimum of four (4) years of occupational experience in the specific CTE area to be taught
EDUCATION: High school diploma OR equivalent as determined by a passing score on the General Education Development Test (GED)
NO college credit hours required
NO GPA threshold
EMPLOYMENT OFFER: Must have an offer of employment in a Kentucky school district for the CTE substitute position
FORMS: Candidates must complete Form TC-4VE or Form CA-4VE (CTE-specific emergency substitute application forms)
DISTRICT SUBMISSION: If the candidate answers yes to any Character and Fitness question on the CA-4VE, the district must submit the application to EPSB for approval BEFORE employing the candidate
Source: 16 KAR 2:120 (KY LRC; PDF markup version); Cornell LII 16 KAR 2:120.

Comparison: All Four Emergency Certificate Types

Type Min. Education Min. GPA Min. Experience Good For Source Reg.
Emergency Teaching Cert. (FT/PT) Bachelor’s degree 2.5 cumulative OR 2.75 on last 30 hrs N/A Full-time or part-time teacher of record 16 KAR 2:120, Sec. 2
Emergency Substitute (Standard Track) 64 semester hours 2.5 cumulative OR 3.0 on last 60 hrs N/A Substitute teaching; GPA waived if BA degree held 16 KAR 2:120, Sec. 3
Emergency Substitute (HS Diploma Track, 2024) High school diploma or GED None required N/A Substitute teaching; broadest access 16 KAR 2:030 (eff. 7/15/24)
Emergency CTE Sub Certificate High school diploma or GED None required 4 years CTE occupational experience Substitute in CTE content areas only 16 KAR 2:120, Sec. 2(5)

Sources: 16 KAR 2:120, Sections 2(1), 3(1), 2(5) (Cornell LII; KY LRC); 16 KAR 2:030, Section 1 (Cornell LII, July 15, 2024). 

The CRITICAL Prohibition: No Emergency Certs for SpEd or IECE

This is the single most important restriction in Kentucky emergency teacher certification — and the one most likely to create compliance problems for districts if misunderstood. Kentucky will NOT issue emergency certificates for teaching exceptional children (special education) or interdisciplinary early childhood education (IECE). This is an absolute prohibition with no exceptions.

The Federal Legal Basis

The prohibition is not a discretionary policy decision by EPSB — it is mandated by federal law. Under Section 612(a)(14) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and 34 C.F.R. § 300.156, special education teachers must either hold full state certification as a special education teacher OR be participating in a qualifying alternative route to certification. Emergency certificates do not constitute a ‘qualifying alternative route to certification’ under IDEA.

EPSB Statement on the SpEd/IECE Emergency Certification Prohibition
From Go Teach KY Emergency Certification page (April 1, 2025):
‘Under Section 612(a)(14) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and 34 C.F.R. § 300.156, special education teachers must have obtained full state certification as a special education teacher or be participating in a qualifying alternative route to certification.’
‘Emergency certificates do not meet the requirements for special education teachers under the IDEA.’
‘Kentucky will no longer issue emergency certificates for teaching exceptional children or interdisciplinary early childhood.’
From 16 KAR 2:120 (KY LRC):
‘The EPSB shall not issue an emergency certificate for teaching exceptional children or interdisciplinary early childhood education.’
From KDE Certification Guidance July 2024 PDF:
‘Kentucky will no longer issue emergency certificates for teaching exceptional children or interdisciplinary early childhood education.’

What Districts Should Do Instead for SpEd/IECE Vacancies

Districts facing SpEd or IECE vacancies cannot use emergency certification to fill them. Their options under Kentucky law include:

  • University-Based Alternative Route: Hire a candidate with a bachelor’s degree in any field; enroll them in an EPSB-approved Option 6 university program; the EPSB issues a Temporary Provisional Certificate. Candidates are limited to two renewals (three total years) in SpEd/IECE under IDEA.
  • Institute Alternative Route: The CKEC Teacher Certification Institute offers a specific SpEd Learning and Behavior Disorders program under Option 7 (240 hours total training). The same IDEA three-year limit applies.
  • For paraprofessionals without bachelor’s degrees, the expedited certification pathway at participating universities can build a SpEd pipeline.
  • KY Traineeship Program: Provides tuition assistance for SpEd and IECE alternative certification candidates at 16 EPSB-approved institutions (kytraineeship.org).
  • Interstate reciprocity: Out-of-state SpEd teachers may qualify for Kentucky certification through the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact or standard reciprocity.

Sources: Go Teach KY Emergency Certification (April 1, 2025); 16 KAR 2:120 (KY LRC prohibition language); KDE Certification Guidance July 2024 PDF; IDEA Section 612(a)(14); 34 C.F.R. § 300.156; kytraineeship.org.

Rank and Salary Under Emergency Certification

Emergency certificate holders are assigned a rank designation that determines their placement on the district’s salary schedule. Per 16 KAR 2:120, Section 4, the rank assignment follows two distinct rules:

  • If you currently hold a valid Kentucky teaching certificate: You are issued the emergency certificate at the SAME RANK designated on your regular teaching certificate. If you hold a Professional Certificate at Rank II, your emergency certificate will also carry Rank II.
  • If you do NOT hold a valid Kentucky teaching certificate: You are issued the emergency certificate at Rank IV — the lowest rank in Kentucky’s certification rank structure.
Rank Who It Applies To Salary Impact
Rank IV Emergency certificate holders without a valid KY teaching certificate Lowest salary tier; significantly below Ranks I-III; typically below professionally certified peers
Rank III (or existing rank) Emergency certificate holders who already hold a valid KY Professional Certificate at Rank III Maintains current salary schedule placement
Rank II (if applicable) Emergency certificate holders with valid Rank II KY certificate Maintains Rank II salary level

Source: 16 KAR 2:120, Section 4 — Rank and Salary Provisions (Cornell LII; KY LRC). 

Note: Kentucky’s salary framework under KRS 161.048 requires alternative certification teachers to receive the same salary as traditionally certified teachers. 

Emergency certificate holders, however, are NOT alternative certification candidates — they are issued emergency certificates outside the KRS 161.048 framework, which is why they can receive Rank IV rather than the Rank III entry level of a professionally certified teacher.

The District’s Role: Board Approval and Application Initiation

One of the most important features of Kentucky’s emergency certification system — and the one most often misunderstood by prospective candidates — is that the district initiates the process, not the individual. Per Go Teach KY: ‘Upon approval of the local board of education, the district must initiate the application for emergency certification in the KECS Portal.’ Candidates who want to apply for an emergency certificate cannot do so independently.

The Board of Education Approval Requirement

Before any emergency teaching certificate application can be submitted to the EPSB, the local board of education must formally approve the request. This is a governance requirement that ensures district leadership — not individual principals or HR staff — authorizes each emergency hire. The board order number is included in the CA-4F application (Section IV: Position Information and Board Order Information).

The Superintendent’s Verification Role

The superintendent (or their designee) signs the emergency certification application verifying that:

  • The district has documented evidence of inability to fill the position with a qualified teacher
  • The applicant meets the minimum qualifications (degree, GPA, transcripts)
  • The applicant shall not be eligible for subsequent full-time emergency certificates except in limited circumstances
  • The required background check has been completed per KRS 160.380

EPSB’s Review Authority

Even after the district submits a properly documented emergency certification request, the EPSB retains discretion to approve or deny. Per 16 KAR 2:120: ‘The Education Professional Standards Board, depending upon the assessment of need for the position and the availability or anticipated availability of qualified teachers, shall approve or disapprove a request for the employment of emergency teachers.’ Districts that submit requests for positions where qualified candidates are realistically available may face denial.

✔ For candidates: If a district wants to hire you through an emergency certificate, the district HR office will initiate the KECS application. Your role is to provide: official transcripts, background check documentation, and completed Character and Fitness disclosure. You cannot independently apply for an emergency teaching certificate.

Sources: Go Teach KY Emergency Certification (April 1, 2025); 16 KAR 2:120 (KY LRC — EPSB approval authority); CA-4F Application for Full-Time Emergency Certification (Superintendent section).

The Application Process: KECS and CA-4 Forms

The application process for emergency certificates in Kentucky uses distinct forms and systems depending on the type of emergency certificate sought.

For Emergency Teaching Certificates (Full-Time/Part-Time)

  1. District establishes documented need. HR director and principal document the inability to hire a qualified certified teacher for the specific position.
  2. Board approval. The local board of education formally votes to approve the emergency certification request. The board order number is captured.
  3. District prepares Form CA-4F. The district completes the Application for Full-Time Emergency Certification (Form CA-4F). The superintendent signs Section III verifying applicant qualifications, and Section IV captures the position and board order information
  4.  Applicant provides documentation. The candidate provides: official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended (verifying degree and GPA); documentation of any applicable Character and Fitness disclosures.
  5. Background check. The criminal background check must be completed per KRS 160.380 BEFORE the application is submitted (see Section 12).
  6. District submits through KECS. The district submits the completed application package through the KECS portal, not the individual candidate.
  7. EPSB review. EPSB staff review the application and either approve or deny. If denied, the district must continue seeking a qualified teacher. If approved, the certificate is issued for the specific position and school year.
  8. Certificate start date. The certificate’s valid start date cannot be earlier than the date the application was received by EPSB.

For Emergency Substitute Certificates

  • Form CA-4: Standard emergency substitute application completed through the EPSB Online Emergency Substitute Application System (since January 1, 2015). Not through KECS.
  • Form TC-4VE / CA-4VE: For career and technical education or occupation-based emergency substitute positions. Completed by the district; submitted to EPSB if Character and Fitness has affirmative answers.
  • New 2024 HS diploma track: Per 16 KAR 2:030, the district verifies the candidate’s HS diploma/equivalency and submits to EPSB — streamlined compared to the standard substitute process.

Sources: 16 KAR 2:120 (PDF markup — application procedures for full-time and substitute certs); CA-4F Application for Full-Time Emergency Certification (from core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com); 16 KAR 2:120 (KY LRC — CA-4 online substitute system); Go Teach KY Emergency Certification (April 1, 2025).

Background Check Requirements for Emergency Certificates

All applicants for any emergency certificate who are not currently certified as an educator in Kentucky must complete a criminal background check. This requirement was established effective January 1, 2015.

Background Check Requirements

  • State background check: Criminal records check through the Kentucky State Police
  • Federal background check: FBI criminal records check
  • Method: Fingerprint-based checks processed by the state police and FBI
  • Timing: The background check must be completed within twelve (12) months before the date of application for the emergency certificate
  • Cost: Varies; Washington County Schools notes fingerprint processing fee of approximately $53.25 (fees may change without notice)
  • Who is exempt: Applicants who are currently certified as an educator in Kentucky (hold a valid KY certificate) — their prior background check from their initial certification remains on file

Sources: 16 KAR 2:120, Section 5 (January 1, 2015 background check requirement; 12-month validity); Washington County Schools Substitute Teaching page; KRS 160.380 (background check authorization statute).

Continuous Background Check Monitoring

Teachers who hold valid active Kentucky teaching certificates are enrolled in ongoing background check monitoring through the district. This means that routine emergency certificate renewals for currently certified teachers do not trigger new fingerprinting requirements. The new fingerprinting requirement applies specifically to individuals who have never held a Kentucky teaching certificate or whose prior certificate has lapsed. 

Character and Fitness Review

All applicants for emergency certificates — both full-time and substitute — must complete a Character and Fitness disclosure. The Character and Fitness review is a standard component of all Kentucky educator certification actions.

For Full-Time Emergency Certificates

The Character and Fitness disclosure is completed as part of the CA-4F application in KECS. Any affirmative disclosure (i.e., answering ‘yes’ to any Character and Fitness question) triggers EPSB review before the certificate is issued. A ‘yes’ answer does not automatically disqualify the applicant — the EPSB evaluates each case individually.

For Emergency Substitute Certificates

Per 16 KAR 2:120, any CA-4 substitute application on which the candidate has provided an affirmative answer to any question in Section IV (Character and Fitness) must be submitted by the local school district to the EPSB for approval BEFORE employing the candidate in the substitute position. This creates an additional review layer for substitute emergency applicants with prior disclosable events.

Districts must not place a substitute emergency candidate in a classroom assignment if they answered ‘yes’ to any Character and Fitness question without first obtaining EPSB approval. Employing without EPSB approval in this situation constitutes a compliance violation. 

Out-of-Field Teaching Classifications

16 KAR 2:120 also establishes Kentucky’s out-of-field teaching framework, separate from but closely related to emergency certification. Per KRS 161.1221(1), out-of-field teaching must be classified into four specific categories, and the EPSB must periodically review and report data on these categories.

The Four Out-of-Field Categories (KRS 161.1221(1))

  • Category 1: The number of emergency certificates issued by grade range, subject field, and district
  • Category 2: The number of probationary certificates issued by grade range, subject field, and district
  • Category 3: The number of temporary provisional certificates (alternative route, Options 6 & 7) issued by grade range, subject field, and district
  • Category 4: The number of other positions assigned to a teacher holding a certificate for a different position (out-of-field teaching by certified teachers)

EPSB Monitoring Obligation

Per 16 KAR 2:120: ‘The EPSB shall periodically review the numbers of emergency certificates issued for full-time, part-time, and substitute teaching by school district, by position, and by academic preparation.’ This monitoring requirement ensures that the EPSB tracks emergency certification patterns and can identify districts that may be over-relying on emergency measures rather than pursuing qualified candidates.

Sources: 16 KAR 2:120, Section 5 (Out-of-Field Teaching) / Section 4 of the archival version (KY LRC); KRS 161.1221(1). 

Who Should NOT Seek Emergency Certification

Given the nature and limitations of emergency certification, there are clear categories of individuals for whom it is not the appropriate pathway:

  • Anyone seeking a career in teaching: Emergency certification does not lead to professional certification. If you want a teaching career, pursue an alternative route (Options 6-9 under KRS 161.048) or traditional certification. Emergency certification may provide one school year of classroom experience, but it must be followed by a separate certification pathway.
  • Anyone seeking to teach Special Education or IECE: No emergency certificates are issued for these positions. Full stop. The alternative routes (Options 6, 7) with the three-year IDEA limit are the appropriate pathway.
  • Anyone who was judged unsatisfactory in KTIP: Per 16 KAR 2:120, an emergency certificate for full-time or part-time employment SHALL NOT be issued to individuals who have been judged unsatisfactory in the Kentucky Teacher Internship Program (KTIP per 16 KAR 7:010). This disqualifier is absolute.
  • Anyone seeking multi-year employment as a teacher of record: Full-time emergency certificates are explicitly limited — the CA-4F notes the holder ‘shall not be eligible for subsequent full-time emergency certificates except in limited circumstances.’ Year-after-year emergency certification for the same position is not the intended or permitted use.

When Emergency Certification Makes Sense

Despite its limitations, emergency certification serves legitimate and important purposes in specific circumstances:

Appropriate Uses

  • Genuine mid-year vacancies: A certified teacher leaves mid-year for medical or personal reasons, and no certified replacement can be found before the next school year. An emergency certificate allows a qualified person (with a bachelor’s degree and 2.5 GPA) to take over immediately.
  • Remote or rural district positions: Small districts in geographically isolated areas may genuinely lack a pool of certified teachers for specific content areas. Emergency certification provides a bridge while the district recruits nationally or pursues alternative route candidates.
  • High-shortage content areas (non-SpEd): Certain non-special education content areas — secondary physics, secondary chemistry, some vocational content areas — may have near-zero certified candidates in some markets. Emergency certification allows a subject-matter expert with a bachelor’s degree to fill the role for one year.
  • Emergency substitute coverage: Schools need substitute teachers on short notice. The emergency substitute certificate (now requiring only a high school diploma under the 2024 regulation) allows districts to expand their substitute pool quickly without requiring full substitute certification.
  • CTE subject matter experts: The emergency CTE substitute certificate lets industry professionals with 4+ years of occupational experience sub in their trade area with only a high school diploma — no college coursework required.

Using the Emergency Year Strategically

For individuals who receive a full-time emergency teaching certificate, the one year can be used strategically to transition into the formal alternative certification pathway. Steps to take during the emergency year:

  • Apply to an EPSB-approved Option 6 university program. Many programs have flexible admission timelines. Being admitted to an Option 6 program while serving on an emergency certificate sets up a smooth transition to a provisional certificate for year two.
  • Pass Praxis content and PLT assessments. These are not required for the emergency certificate but ARE required for the professional certificate. Use the emergency year to test.
  • Build district relationships. Districts are more likely to support a candidate’s Option 6 enrollment if they already know and value your work.
  • Confirm the district’s willingness to hire you via Option 6 next year. Option 6 requires concurrent teaching — confirm the position will be available on a provisional certificate.

✔ Critical Caveat: Emergency certificate experience does NOT count as KTIP. Even if you serve for one year on an emergency certificate, you must still complete KTIP in your first year under a provisional or internship certificate when you begin the formal certification pathway.

From Emergency Certificate to Professional Certification

Because emergency certification does not lead to professional certification on its own, individuals serving on emergency certificates who want a teaching career must pursue a separate certification pathway. The transition process requires planning.

The Transition Roadmap

Step Action Timeline
1 During emergency year: Enroll in an EPSB-approved Option 6 university program; obtain Hiring Eligibility Letter During current emergency year
2 District hires you for next year under a Temporary Provisional Certificate (Option 6) Beginning of Year 2
3 Complete Option 6 coursework while teaching concurrently Years 2-5 (up to 5 total years)
4 Pass required Praxis assessments: Subject Assessment, PLT, and Reading Instruction Assessment (2024-25+) During program, before Professional Cert is issued
5 Complete KTIP in the final year of the provisional period Final year under provisional cert
6 Receive Professional Certificate (Rank III); begin standard 5-year renewal cycle After KTIP completion

Sources: TTT.KY.GOV Option 6 (November 19, 2024); 16 KAR 7:010 (KTIP requirements); 16 KAR 2:120 (emergency cert does not lead to professional cert).

Important Note on KTIP

Emergency certificate service does not constitute KTIP completion. KTIP is specific to the provisional internship certificate issued as part of the formal certification process. Even after a year of full-time emergency teaching, a teacher beginning the formal certification pathway (Option 6 provisional certificate) must complete KTIP in their first year on the provisional certificate. This means effectively serving two full years as a classroom teacher before receiving the Professional Certificate — year one on the emergency certificate, and year one (KTIP year) on the provisional certificate.

Emergency Certification Data and Policy Context

Understanding the volume and distribution of emergency certificates provides important context for both policy and practice.

Current Emergency Certification Data (2025-26)

As of September 1 of the 2025-26 school year, the EPSB had issued 401 emergency certificates. KDE Associate Commissioner Meredith Brewer, presenting this data to Kentucky’s 171 school superintendents on October 14, 2025, contextualized this figure: 

‘However, we do want to note that emergency certificates are supposed to be reserved for truly emergent situations. … It is supposed to be strictly limited and is valid for just that specific job for which the emergency certificate is issued.’

This 401 figure should be interpreted alongside other 2025 teacher shortage metrics:

  • 34 of 173 surveyed districts (20%) reported no unfilled positions as of September 1, 2025 — up from only 1 district the prior year
  • 72% of districts reported fewer qualified candidates applying over the past two years
  • Only 6% needed to cancel classes or programs due to staffing shortages
  • Districts continued to use substitute teachers as the primary vacancy-filling strategy alongside emergency certification

Sources: Kentucky Teacher newsroom (October 16, 2025) — Meredith Brewer/KDE Educator Shortage Survey; LEX18 (October 16, 2025) — same survey; KDE 2025 Kentucky Educator Shortage Survey.

Historical Context: Emergency Certificate Volume Trends

Emergency certificate usage in Kentucky has increased substantially since 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted traditional teacher pipelines, and the ongoing structural workforce shortage has kept emergency certificate numbers elevated. 

The 2024 expansion of emergency substitute certificate eligibility (to only a high school diploma) represents a significant policy response — essentially acknowledging that the traditional 64-semester-hour threshold was too restrictive in the current labor market environment 

EPSB’s Monitoring Obligation and Public Accountability

Per 16 KAR 2:120, the EPSB is required to periodically review and publish data on emergency certificates issued, broken down by school district, grade range, subject field, and academic preparation of the certificate holder. This monitoring creates public accountability for emergency certification usage and identifies districts that may be systematically under-investing in qualified teacher recruitment relative to peers in similar circumstances. 

Kentucky Emergency Teacher Certification Requirements: FAQs

Who can apply for a Kentucky emergency teaching certificate?

The district applies, not the individual. Emergency teaching certificates are initiated by the school district’s HR office with approval from the local board of education, then submitted through the KECS portal. Individuals who believe they qualify should contact their school district HR office. Minimum qualifications are: a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a 2.5 cumulative GPA (or 2.75 on the last 30 credit hours) and an offer of employment for the specific position.

Does a Kentucky emergency teaching certificate allow me to teach any grade or subject?

No. An emergency teaching certificate is job-specific and position-specific — it is valid only for the specific grade range and content area for which it was issued at the specific district that applied. You cannot transfer it to a different position or district. Additionally, emergency certificates CANNOT be issued for Special Education or IECE positions under any circumstances (federal IDEA prohibition).

Can I get a Kentucky emergency teaching certificate for a special education position?

No. This is an absolute prohibition under both state regulation (16 KAR 2:120 — ‘The EPSB shall not issue an emergency certificate for teaching exceptional children or interdisciplinary early childhood education’) and federal law (IDEA Section 612(a)(14); 34 C.F.R. § 300.156). Districts with SpEd vacancies must use alternative certification routes (Options 6 or 7) or hire a fully certified SpEd teacher.

How long is a Kentucky emergency teaching certificate valid?

One school year. Per 16 KAR 2:120, the emergency teaching certificate is valid for one school year, and the term of validity may be further limited by the EPSB based on its assessment of the need. The start date cannot be earlier than the date the application is received by EPSB. Full-time emergency certificates are generally not renewable for the same position.

What is the minimum GPA for a Kentucky emergency teaching certificate?

For the full-time emergency teaching certificate (16 KAR 2:120): cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, OR a GPA of 2.75 on the last 30 credit hours. For the standard emergency substitute certificate: cumulative 2.5 GPA or 3.0 on the last 60 credit hours (GPA requirement waived if the candidate holds a bachelor’s degree). The new 2024 emergency substitute track (16 KAR 2:030) requires only a high school diploma — no GPA threshold at all.

What has changed in Kentucky emergency substitute certification for 2024?

Effective July 15, 2024, 16 KAR 2:030 (an emergency regulation) reduced the minimum requirement for the one-year emergency substitute certificate to a high school diploma or GED equivalent — eliminating the prior 64-semester-hour college credit requirement and GPA threshold. This change was made to expand the substitute teacher pool amid persistent shortages. The regulation is temporary and expires February 27, 2027.

Does emergency certification count toward KTIP?

No. Service under an emergency teaching certificate does not constitute completion of the Kentucky Teacher Internship Program (KTIP). KTIP is specific to teachers holding a provisional internship certificate as part of the formal alternative or traditional certification process (16 KAR 7:010). Individuals who transition from an emergency certificate into Option 6 alternative certification must still complete KTIP during their first year on the provisional certificate.

Can an emergency certificate be denied by EPSB even if the district applies?

Yes. Per 16 KAR 2:120, the EPSB ‘shall approve or disapprove a request for the employment of emergency teachers’ based on assessment of the need and availability of qualified teachers. If the EPSB determines that qualified certified teachers are (or are anticipated to be) available for the position, it can deny the emergency certification request. Approval is not guaranteed simply because the district submits the application.

What rank will I be assigned on an emergency certificate?

If you already hold a valid Kentucky teaching certificate, you will be assigned the same rank as your existing certificate. If you do not hold a valid Kentucky teaching certificate, you will be assigned Rank IV — the lowest rank in Kentucky’s teaching certificate rank structure — which carries the lowest corresponding salary on the district’s salary schedule.

Official Sources and Further Reading

Primary Legal Sources

EPSB and KDE Sources

Forms and Applications

News and Data Sources

Kentucky Emergency Teacher Certification Requirements: Conclusion

Kentucky emergency teacher certification is a carefully circumscribed, last-resort tool for filling classroom vacancies when no qualified certified teacher is available. \

Its legal framework — rooted in KRS 161.100 and 16 KAR 2:120 — establishes clear but relatively low minimum thresholds (bachelor’s degree with 2.5 GPA for full-time positions; high school diploma for emergency substitutes under the new 2024 regulation) precisely because emergencies demand flexibility. 

But it also builds in critical restrictions: EPSB discretion to deny requests, a total prohibition on SpEd and IECE emergency certification under IDEA, a one-year validity limit, job-specific issuance, and Rank IV assignment for non-certified holders.

The 401 emergency certificates issued by September 1, 2025 represent a small but significant fraction of Kentucky’s workforce response to an ongoing teacher shortage. 

KDE Associate Commissioner Meredith Brewer’s October 2025 reminder — that emergency certification ‘is supposed to be strictly limited and is valid for just that specific job for which the emergency certificate is issued’ — reflects both the EPSB’s intent and its concern that emergency measures not become normalized practice.

For individuals holding or considering emergency certification: the one-year experience is valuable, but the pathway to a professional teaching career runs through Option 6, Option 7, or another KRS 161.048 alternative route — not through repeated emergency certificates. 

For districts: emergency certification should always be accompanied by active pursuit of qualified candidates and, where appropriate, enrollment of the emergency holder in a formal alternative certification program that will provide a sustainable solution beyond that one school year. 

Kentucky EPSB  |  education.ky.gov/epsb  |  KECS: kecs.education.ky.gov  |  Go Teach KY: goteachky.com  |  KDE: (502) 564-5846  |  Data current as of June 2025