Substitute Teacher / Kentucky
2026 data Kentucky board official source

Kentucky Substitute Teacher License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Fills in for absent teachers. Requirements range from diploma to license.

What the Kentucky data shows for Substitute Teachers

Kentucky's path to substitute teacher licensure runs through 2,000 hours of approved instruction and a passing score on a state-approved exam, plus a criminal history screening. Kentucky folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Degree".

Budget $100 to get started on a 5-year cycle. Continuing education is not a listed requirement for this profession in Kentucky, so the annualized maintenance burden is lower than in states that mandate ongoing hours.

Kentucky evaluates out-of-state credentials case-by-case rather than through a published reciprocity list.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
36/100
Substitute Teacher · Kentucky

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
2,000 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee C-
$100
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden N/A
N/A
Renewal fee annualized over the renewal cycle
Continuing Education N/A
N/A
Continuing-education hours annualized over the renewal cycle
Experience Required N/A
N/A
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Kentucky

Education / Training Hours
Degree
2,000 hours
Exam Requirement
Required
Initial License Fee
$100
Renewal Fee
N/A
Renewal Cycle
Every 5 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Substitute Teacher All Kentucky licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Kentucky licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Substitute Teacher in Kentucky? ▼
Kentucky's requirements cover 2000 hours of education or training, a state exam, and an initial fee of $100. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Substitute Teacher in Kentucky? ▼
Kentucky licenses substitute teachers who complete its requirements (2000 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Kentucky licensing board.
Can I transfer my Substitute Teacher license to Kentucky from another state? ▼
Kentucky evaluates out-of-state substitute teacher licenses on a case-by-case basis. Many professions are covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability. Contact the Kentucky licensing board for specific reciprocity details.
Does Kentucky require a background check for Substitute Teacher licensing? ▼
Kentucky does require a background check before issuing a substitute teacher license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.

Related Guides

What to do with this substitute teacher license

Substitute Teacher in Kentucky is one requirement row in a substitute teacher-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Kentucky licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.