APPLYING FOR CERTIFICATION IN THE NEW KECS ONLINE SYSTEM

Logging into KECS/Registering your Account

• When you first click on the EPSB Account icon, you will be taken to this screen:

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Click here to access the new KECS System

• You will then be taken to this Log in screen:

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First, attempt to log in using the same credentials that you have used in the past to log in to the EPSB system to access KFETS.

If you are not able to log in, you may need to register your account. Click here, and then follow the instructions provided.

Once you are logged in to the KECS system, you will see a Dashboard page. You will want to select that you are Applying for a Credential.

You will then be asked what kind of certificate you wish to apply for. Depending on what programs you have admission records for this option may be different. For most people, you will want to select that you are applying for your Initial KY Certification.

If you already are certified in any way, including a substitute certificate, your list of options will look more like this. You should select the options that are appropriate for your application.

If you are applying for your initial certificate, but already have a substitute certificate, this is what you will want to select.

If you are completing an advanced program that has a rank change that comes with it, you will want to select Rank Change in addition to adding a new KY certification.

You will then be asked to verify the selection you have made. At this point, you can click on Start Application.

You will then see the main application page, which has several elements to it.

A list of all the elements of the application

The status of each element

Who should submit each element of the application

The first section that you will complete is the Out of State License. For most people, they will not have an out of state license. You can indicate this at the bottom of the page, click on the save button, and that is all you will need to do. If you do have an out of state license, you can indicate it here and upload supporting documentation of that licensure.

Degrees and Transcripts

• The degrees and transcripts page is one that can be completed either by the candidate or by the certification officer.
• We would prefer that you submit your UK transcript to Christopher Reese (christopher.reese@uky.edu) through the National Clearinghouse (https://www.studentclearinghouse.org/) or Parchment. He will then complete the Degree and Transcripts portion of the application.
• If you have transcripts from other colleges/universities where the credit has been transferred to UK, Christopher should be able to access these transcripts and add them to your application.
• If you are an MIC, MAT, or MATWL candidate who did your undergraduate work at a different college or university, you will need to request that your undergraduate transcript be sent to Christopher through the National Clearinghouse.

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To begin the process of ordering a transcript from the National Clearinghouse, you will first need to select the college or university that you want a transcript for. Everyone will need to request a transcript from UK, but if you have others that UK does not already have in their system, you can request them using this same process.

The next screen will ask you for personal information about yourself in order to identify the transcript that is being requested. If your degree has not yet posted on your transcript, or if you are in an advanced non-degree program and your final grades have not yet posted, you should select that you “yes” to the question “Are you currently enrolled at the University of Kentucky.”

The next screen will ask you for your current mailing address and email. Please note, if this address is different from what UK already has on record for you, it would be of great assistance to us if you would answer “Yes” to the query at the bottom of the page allowing the university to use this information to update our records. However, you are not obliged to do so.

The next page asks for details about where you want the transcript sent.

Select College or University

Select the University of Kentucky

In the drop down menu for Department, select “Not in List.” Request to have the transcript sent electronically, and then enter Christopher Reese’s email in the section provided.

If you are waiting for your degree to post or for final grades to post, you should select the appropriate option in this pull down.

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Note: If you send a transcript to Christopher before all the grades or degree is posted, he will not be able to use it and you will have to request the transcript again.

At the bottom of this page (not pictured here) is the section that allows you to make the payment for the transcript and confirm your order. Once that is done, Christopher will receive an email once the transcript is ready to be downloaded. He will then upload the transcripts into your application in the KECS system.

Assessments and Recommendation

• These two sections must be completed by the EPP (Christopher).
• Once Christopher receives your final transcript showing either award of degree or completion of your program, he will be able to complete the recommendation section.
• You can view the Assessments tab to make sure that your Praxis II assessments (as applicable) are appearing in your account. If they are not, you should contact Christopher for assistance.

The final section that you need to complete is the Character and Fitness Review. The first step for this section is to answer the seven questions at the beginning of the form.

If you are able to answer no to all the questions, then all you will then need to do is “sign” the review at the bottom, which will complete this step.

To “sign” your Character and Fitness Review, you will need to enter your four digit PIN. This number is randomly assigned to you by the system and cannot be changed. You will want to click on “Forgot my PIN.” You will then be able to see it to enter into the box. You should then click the “Sign” button.

Once you have “signed” your Character and Fitness Review, a box will appear that should list your name as well as the date and time that you signed the form. Once this box appears, you can submit your Character and Fitness Review by clicking the button at the bottom of the page.

If you answer “yes”to one of the Character and Fitness Review questions . . .

• In the past, if a candidate has a Character and Fitness issue that had already been reviewed by the College of Education, we would send that documentation in along with an applicant’s paper application.
• However, we are not yet sure what the OELE/EPSB would want to see in terms of documentation for a Character and Fitness Issue.
• Candidates that do have a Character and Fitness Issue should be contacted by the OELE/EPSB about it and should receive instructions about what further documentation will be necessary.
• If the College of Education can assist candidates with this process, please contact Christopher Reese.

Making Payments

At this point in the process, you will be able to see what the fee that will be associated with your application will be by clicking on the Payment section of the application. However, you will not be able to make your payment until all sections of the application are complete. Once they are complete, you can make your payment. Making your payment is what will submit your application to the EPSB.

A Few Final Things . . .

• Once Christopher has received your transcript and entered it into the application, he will send you an email to pay your fee and submit.
• Once you have submitted your application to the EPSB, you should be able to track its progress through their review by returning to your application.
• Once your credential has been awarded, you will also be able to access the credential itself through KECS by going to your Credentials section. The EPSB will NOT mail you a hard copy of your credential.
• If you have any questions or concerns at any point during this process, please feel free to contact Christopher Reese, christopher.reese@uky.edu, 859-257-4112

Questions?

Christopher Reese

christopher.reese@uky.edu

859-257-4112