Steps for KY Certification and Praxis Content and Principle of Learning and Teaching (PLT) Exam Information 

1.  Student Teachers should make sure all Praxis Content Exams have been passed and scores were officially reported to WKU and EPSB. Please note that WKU and EPSB can not accept a student submitted score report. The scores must be submitted by ETS to both agencies. 

• Praxis Content Exams for each certification area should be checked using the ETS website. Be sure you are  registering to take the content exam and Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) exam for the state of KY. Other states have other exam regulations. https://www.ets.org/praxis/ky/test-takers/plan-your-test/licensure-requirements.html 

*The PLT exam is not required for Interdisciplinary Early Childhood certificates or Learning Behavior Disorder certificates. All other certification areas must pass the PLT. If you are becoming certified to teach in a K-12 certification area (Art, PE, Music, FCS, Agriculture Ed.), you only have to pass one PLT and you may choose which grade level band you take. 

• List of resources for preparing for the Praxis Content and PLT exams may be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LVLz2Xh8PUdxFU-KsrTBgAT37PZ0KsNxvjjzkwF32tM/edit?usp=sharing 

2. Student Teachers will request an official WKU transcript be sent to EPSB upon their degree being awarded. It is very important that you don't do this until you receive an email from the Registrar's office that says your degree has been awarded. This can take up to a week after the graduation ceremony.

• Directions for sending the EPSB an electronic copy of transcripts 

3. Complete a KY CA-1 certification application form through the EPSB (Educational Professional Standards Board) account.

• Log into your EPSB account at https://wd.kyepsb.net/Epsb.WebApps/Login/Login.aspx and follow the instructions listed for completing a certification application (CA-1). 

• You will complete the following elements on the EPSB application: Out of State License, Degrees (this is step 2, but you will have to answer a verification question), and Character and Fitness. Once these are completed, the red dots should turn into green checkmarks.

• Be sure to review these directions as you complete the CA-1 certification application. This slide shows you which sections you are responsible for completing. CA-1 Completion 

• Here are specific directions for how to apply for certification. 

4.  Certification Applications are Processed by OPES staff 

• Please note applications cannot be processed until OPES  has received all of the following required documents.

*Official notice of passing of all Praxis Content and PLT scores.  This official score report will come to OPES from the official ETS Praxis agency. We cannot accept student score  reports. 

*Official notice that the student teacher's degree has been awarded.

• Applications are processed as quickly as possible. Depending on the amount of applications, it could take 7-10 business days, but is often quicker than that.  

• Calling or emailing to inquire about your status takes time away from the staff to complete these applications. So, please try to be patient! 

5. Student Teacher Must Pay State Fees:

• The Office of Educator Licensure and Effectiveness (OELE) which was formerly known as EPSB, (their website is still titled EPSB) charges a certification fee of $85.00 for processing the CA-1  certification application. Student teachers must pay this fee electronically on the EPSB website. WKU staff may not collect this fee or process it for the student. 

6. How to Check the Status of Your Application 

• You should check your EPSB account to check on the status of your application. 

Contact teacher.certification@wku.edu  with further questions.