Career pathway advancement for Kentucky educators can be attained through a three-tier rank system. KRS 161.1211 defines the classification of educators as well as establishes the Kentucky educator rank system.
Rank III
Those holding regular certificates and who have an approved four (4) year college degree or the equivalent.
Rank II
Those holding regular teaching certificates and who have a master's degree in a subject field approved by the Education Professional Standards Board or equivalent continuing education such as the Continuing Education Option (CEO);
or
Those teachers who have met the requirements for Rank III and earned initial National Board Certification (NBCT).*
Rank I
Those holding regular certificates and who have a master's degree in a subject field approved by the Education Professional Standards Board or equivalent continuing education and who have earned thirty (30) semester hours of approved graduate work or equivalent continuing education such as the CEO;
or
Those teachers who have met the requirements for Rank II and earned initial or additional NBCT.*
Ranks for Emergency Certification
Rank IV
Those holding emergency certificates and who have ninety-six (96) to one hundred twenty-eight (128) semester hours of approved college training or the equivalent.
Rank V
Those holding emergency certificates and who have sixty-four (64) to ninety-five (95) semester hours of approved college training or the equivalent.