KRS 161.1211: Classification of teachers.

(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:

1. A master's degree in a subject field approved by the Educat ion

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 misc onduct 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 hour s 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 o f 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.