(1) The Education Professional Standards Board shall rank teachers as follows:
(a) Rank I. Those holding regular certificates who have met the requirements for Rank II and have additionally earned:

Terms Used In Kentucky Statutes 161.1211


1. A master’s degree in a subject field approved by the Education
Professional Standards Board or equivalent continuing education;
2. Initial certification of the National Board for Professional Teaching
Standards; or
3. Thirty (30) additional semester hours of approved graduate work or equivalent continuing education.
The board shall not allow a teacher who qualified for Rank I status on the basis of his or her national board certification to maintain that classification if the national board certificate is revoked for misconduct or voided for other reasons.
(b) Rank II. Those holding regular certificates and who:
1. Have a master’s degree in a subject field approved by the Education
Professional Standards Board;
2. Have earned initial certification of the National Board for Professional
Teaching Standards; or
3. Have completed equivalent continuing education.
The board shall not allow a teacher who qualified for Rank II status on the basis of his or her national board certification to maintain that classification if the national board certificate is revoked for misconduct or voided for other reasons.
(c) Rank III. Those holding regular certificates and who have an approved four
(4) year college degree or the equivalent.
(d) 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.
(e) 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.
(2) In determining ranks, the Education Professional Standards Board shall classify teachers who hold valid certificates in the respective ranks according to approved college semester hours of credit or equivalent continuing education. The board, in defining preparation for certain types of vocational teachers as equivalent to college training, shall give consideration to apprenticeship training and industrial experience.
(3) For purposes of the state salary schedule only as referenced in KRS § 158.070, rank shall be determined on September 15 of each year.
(4) Nothing in this section shall allow the Education Professional Standards Board by
regulation to reclassify downward any teachers in Ranks II or I.
Effective: July 15, 2020
History: Amended 2020 Ky. Acts ch. 113, sec. 1, effective July 15, 2020. — Amended
2006 Ky. Acts ch. 87, sec. 1, effective July 12, 2006. — Created 2000 Ky. Acts ch.
527, sec. 7, effective July 14, 2000.