KY

Kentucky Licensing Requirements

Burden Rank: #35 of 51 Low Burden
97
Professions Licensed
1,152
Avg Education Hours
$106
Avg Initial Fee
55.0
Burden Score

Agriculture

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Arborist / Tree Surgeon — Yes $50 — 3 yrs
Pesticide Applicator (Commercial) — Yes $50 — 3 yrs
Water Well Driller — Yes $50 — 3 yrs

Animal Care

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Animal Breeder — No $50 — 2 yrs
Farrier / Horseshoer — No $50 — 2 yrs
Veterinarian 4,541 Yes $208 $181 2 yrs
Veterinary Technician 1,770 Yes $104 $91 2 yrs

Construction

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Electrician 5,081 Yes $89 $72 1 yr
Elevator Installer 5,081 Yes $131 $118 2 yrs
Fire Sprinkler Installer — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
General Contractor — Yes $190 $163 2 yrs
Glazier — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
HVAC Technician 3,081 Yes $72 $59 2 yrs
Land Surveyor — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Locksmith — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Mobile Home Installer — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Painter (Contractor) — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Pest Control Applicator 11 Yes $72 $66 3 yrs
Plumber 5,081 Yes $103 $89 1 yr
Roofer — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Security Alarm Installer — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Septic System Installer — Yes $150 — 2 yrs

Cosmetology

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Barber 1,135 Yes $69 $40 2 yrs
Body Piercer 1,500 Yes $75 — 2 yrs
Cosmetologist 1,162 Yes $76 $43 2 yrs
Electrologist 385 Yes $72 $59 2 yrs
Esthetician 460 Yes $63 $39 2 yrs
Funeral Director / Embalmer 1,500 Yes $75 — 2 yrs
Hair Braider 1,500 Yes $75 — 2 yrs
Massage Therapist 511 Yes $83 $49 2 yrs
Nail Technician 299 Yes $57 $34 2 yrs
Tattoo Artist 1,500 Yes $75 — 2 yrs

Design

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Interior Designer — No $50 — 2 yrs
Landscape Architect — Yes $163 $136 2 yrs

Education

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Childcare Center Director 32 No $72 $59 2 yrs
Elementary School Teacher — Yes $93 $66 5 yrs
School Counselor — Yes $107 $80 5 yrs
School Librarian / Media Specialist 2,000 Yes $100 — 5 yrs
Secondary School Teacher — Yes $93 $66 5 yrs
Substitute Teacher 2,000 Yes $100 — 5 yrs

Engineering

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Professional Engineer (PE) — Yes $190 $163 2 yrs
Professional Geologist — Yes $200 — 2 yrs

Finance

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) — Yes $172 $145 2 yrs
Debt Collector — Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Insurance Agent 36 Yes $82 $69 2 yrs
Mortgage Loan Originator 20 Yes $225 $157 1 yr
Tax Preparer — Yes $100 — 2 yrs

Food & Hospitality

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Bartender / Alcohol Server — No $50 — 2 yrs
Food Handler / Food Safety Certification — No $50 — 2 yrs

Healthcare

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Athletic Trainer 2,770 Yes $104 $91 2 yrs
Certified Nurse-Midwife 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Dental Assistant 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Dental Hygienist 2,770 Yes $149 $91 2 yrs
Dietetic Technician 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) 142 Yes $66 $59 2 yrs
Hearing Aid Specialist 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Home Health Aide 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) 1,135 Yes $109 $77 2 yrs
Medical Assistant 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Medical Lab Technician 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Occupational Therapist 3,270 Yes $136 $122 2 yrs
Optician (Dispensing) 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Optometrist 4,270 Yes $190 $163 2 yrs
Paramedic 1,416 Yes $104 $91 2 yrs
Pharmacist 4,405 Yes $168 $154 2 yrs
Pharmacy Technician 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Phlebotomist 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Physical Therapist 3,270 Yes $149 $136 2 yrs
Physician Assistant 3,405 Yes $181 $168 2 yrs
Radiologic Technologist 1,989 Yes $104 $91 2 yrs
Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist — Yes $118 $104 2 yrs
Registered Nurse 2,270 Yes $122 $84 2 yrs
Respiratory Therapist 1,770 Yes $104 $91 2 yrs
Speech-Language Pathologist 3,270 Yes $149 $122 2 yrs
Surgical Technologist 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs

Legal & Security

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Armed Security Guard 27 No $86 $55 2 yrs
Court Reporter / Stenographer — Yes $75 — 4 yrs
Notary Public — Yes $75 — 4 yrs
Private Investigator 1,651 Yes $145 $131 2 yrs
Process Server — Yes $75 — 4 yrs

Mental Health

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) 3,270 Yes $122 $109 2 yrs
Licensed Professional Counselor 2,770 Yes $111 $98 2 yrs
Marriage and Family Therapist 2,770 Yes $136 $122 2 yrs
Psychologist 5,541 Yes $208 $181 2 yrs

Miscellaneous

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Amusement Ride Operator — No $50 — 2 yrs
Athletic Agent — No $50 — 2 yrs
Auctioneer 112 Yes $99 $72 2 yrs
Casino/Gaming Dealer — No $50 — 2 yrs
Sign Language Interpreter — No $50 — 2 yrs

Real Estate

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Home Inspector 83 Yes $145 $118 2 yrs
Real Estate Agent / Salesperson 78 Yes $103 $88 2 yrs
Real Estate Broker 117 Yes $145 $124 2 yrs

Transportation

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Chauffeur / Limousine Driver 11 Yes $55 $42 4 yrs
Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) 203 Yes $69 $42 4 yrs
School Bus Driver 62 Yes $55 $42 4 yrs
Taxi/Ride-Share Driver — Yes $50 — 4 yrs
Tow Truck Operator — Yes $50 — 4 yrs
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice. Verify current requirements with Kentucky licensing authorities.

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

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Data sourced from official state occupational-licensing board records and federal interstate compacts. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCredential Editorial