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Certification: Professional Education Services

Application Steps for Certification

Applications for certification are processed when these steps are completed:

  • completion of program requirements
  • passing scores on applicable PRAXIS exam(s)
  • EKU’s final approval of official transcripts
  • verification of earned degree
  • verification of teaching experience and/or hours taken for some graduate programs and certificates

EPSB Certification Submission Instructions

In order to receive certification from EPSB, the candidate must ensure the following is submitted to EPSB:

STEP ONE: EPSB Application
You will initiate the application through your EPSB account. To do so, login at https://kecs.education.ky.gov/Account/Login.

Once you login, you will see these options for applications:
[ ] Add Emeritus Certificate
[ ] Rank Change (CA-1)
[ ] Renew Certificate(s) (CA-2)
[ ] Adding a new KY Certification (CA-1)
[ ] Principal Statement of Eligibility (CA-1)
[ ] Synchronize Certifications (CA-1/CA-2)

Please choose the ones applicable to you (i.e., rank AND certification change will choose both #2 & #4; rank change only chooses #2; certification addition only chooses #4; if you are an initial (first-time) graduate, you would choose #4 & #5).

Within the application sections, you will complete/review:

  • Out of State License – Disclose if you have held an out of state license (if not, mark “I have never held an out of state license”)
  • Degrees – you will mark your name on “Name on Transcripts” and the date you requested your transcript from EKU on “Date Sent”
  • Assessments – verify EPSB has received your passing Praxis score(s) (Our office will then complete this section); and
  • Character & Fitness – complete all questions and electronic signature.

Payment may only be submitted after EKU completes the University Recommendation. Please email coecert@eku.edu once your application is ready for approval by our office.

Applications are only valid for 90 days. Therefore, if the application for certification extends beyond this timeframe, you will need to initiate a new application.

STEP TWO: Official Transcript
Eastern Kentucky University uses the National Student Clearinghouse to process all official transcript requests (Mail, PDF, Exchange). This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, allows you to track your order, and ensures the security of your information and payment. Expedited delivery is available through the National Student Clearinghouse.

Order Your Official Transcript through National Student Clearing House

STEP THREE: PRAXIX
Successful completion of required PRAXIS exams for your specific licensure area is required for recommendation for certification. Passing scores for Kentucky are determined by EPSB. Scores must be received electronically by both EKU and EPSB before recommendation for certification can be made.

  • PRAXIS score reports are available to you via your online ETS “My Praxis Account.” Scores will generally be available online 2-3 weeks after your test date. You will receive an email from ETS when your score report has been posted.
  • NOTE: If you did not code EKU (1200) and/or EPSB (7283) as score recipients when registering for your exam(s), you must request an electronic copy be sent to the respective institution/agency at an additional cost to you. Paper score reports or scores older than 5 years will not be accepted.

Certification FAQs

The following must be initiated/submitted to EPSB:

  • Application
  • Transcript from EKU (and any other institution where coursework was taken) – must be requested through Registrar’s Office (See Transcript Request Process)
  • Praxis Scores, if applicable (these come directly from ETS)
  • Certification/Rank fee payable to EPSB through your KECS account – payment is submitted after EKU completes the University Recommendation

No. Praxis scores must be submitted to EPSB electronically through ETS. If you took the Praxis out of state and did not choose EPSB and EKU, you will need to contact ETS and request that scores be sent to both EKU and EPSB. The recipient code for EKU is 1200 and EPSB is 7283.

Applications are only valid for 90 days. Therefore, if the application for certification extends beyond this timeframe, you will need to initiate a new application.

If you are not a first time graduate of either the undergraduate or MAT education program, you will need to have your program advisor submit a letter/email or a signed planned program verifying program completion to brandy.blackburn@eku.edu that you have successfully attained the hours required or courses needed for a rank change or certification of a new program area.

You will also need to request the Registrar’s Office send an official transcript to EPSB.

Your application cannot be processed and recommended for certification by EKU until your program is complete and final grades and degrees have been awarded. Praxis scores (if applicable) must also be received by EKU for the recommendation to be made to EPSB.

Note: Please be aware that the process for degree conferral can take up to several weeks following graduation. For spring semester, this is generally May 31st; for summer, this is generally August 31st; and for fall, this is generally December 31st.

Once your application has been initiated in KECS, you may check the status of your application by logging into the website and clicking on the “Profile” tab. Then click on “Applications” under Credentials.

Processing time at EPSB varies depending on the time of year. The weeks following graduation are a particularly busy time for EPSB and processing will take longer.

No. You will need to request your official transcript through the National Student Clearing House.

Payment may only be submitted after EKU completes the University Recommendation.

Yes, so long as you choose “After Degree is Awarded” from the drop-down menu when it asks when to process the request (this is for initial certification graduates only).

The cost for 1 official transcript request is $12.25. You will be prompted for payment by debit/credit at the end of the request.

Yes; you will receive a confirmation email with a tracking # after you submit and pay for your request. You may use the tracking # to check on the status of the request on the National Student Clearinghouse website.

Note: If any coursework was taken at another institution, please ensure that an official transcript is also sent to EPSB from that institution.

If your name has changed prior to graduation and needs to be something other than what is currently on file with EKU, you will need to complete the Personal Information Change Form prior to graduation. You will email the completed form, along with a copy of your driver’s license reflecting your new name to the Registrar’s Office at registration@eku.edu.

Once this form is processed by the Registrar’s Office, your new name will be reflected on both your degree from EKU and your certificate from EPSB (please ensure your application reflects the new name).

You may find additional information on the certification process either on EPSB’s website, including EPSB’s FAQ.

Contact Information
Brandy Blackburn, MPA
Assistant Director
Combs 425
859-622-1544
coecert@eku.edu