Kentucky · Career guide
How to become a Special Education Teacher in Kentucky
Special education teachers serve students with IEPs across a wide range of needs — learning disabilities, autism spectrum, emotional disturbances, and physical impairments. Every state lists special ed as a critical shortage area, and federal Title I + IDEA funding makes loan-forgiveness programs especially generous. New SPED teachers often see signing bonuses ranging from $2,000 to $10,000.
No special education teaching positions are open in Kentucky right now — set up an alert and we'll notify you when new postings are scraped.
Certification path in Kentucky
- Earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Most candidates complete a teacher-preparation program either as part of their undergraduate studies or as a post-baccalaureate add-on.
- Pass the required exams. Kentucky typically requires:
- Praxis Core Academic Skills (or qualifying SAT/ACT/GRE scores) — Basic reading, writing, and mathematics
- Praxis Subject Assessments — Content knowledge for your certification area
- edTPA — Performance assessment during student teaching
Special education is its own license tier in most states. Cross-categorical, mild-moderate, and severe-profound endorsements exist; check the state-specific exam requirements.
- Apply for your initial license through Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB). The packet typically includes official transcripts, exam scores, a background check, and (depending on the state) a recommendation from the teacher-prep program. Visit Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) →
- Job-search in Kentucky. We'll track special education teaching openings as districts post them; set up an alert to be notified immediately when new positions go live.
Alternative pathways in Kentucky
If you didn't follow the traditional university-route, Kentucky offers these alternate paths that may apply to your situation:
- Statement of Eligibility (SOE): Allows teaching while completing certification requirements
- Career and Technical Education certification for industry professionals
- Adjunct Instructor Certificate for part-time specialized instruction
Kentucky salary context
Average teacher salary in Kentucky: $54,206/year (rank #38 nationally). Entry-level pay with a bachelor's typically starts at $38,000/year.
Role-specific premiums vary by district — special education, STEM, and bilingual roles frequently command signing bonuses or stipends. See the full Kentucky salary guide for the breakdown.