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Licensed jobs in Kentucky

Kentucky: 9 occupations, 7 licensing agencies. For each one: the board, the main credential, its training, application fee and renewal cycle, from the boards' own pages.

Last checked · 37 official sources

On this page
  1. Occupations we cover in Kentucky
  2. Licensing boards
  3. Moving to Kentucky with a license
  4. Check a license
  5. Sources

Occupations we cover in Kentucky

Kentucky licenses 9 of the 9 occupations below at the state level. Electricians have the most levels here (4 credentials); each occupation page covers every level.

OccupationMain licenseBoardTraining or experienceApplication feeRenewal
CosmetologistCosmetologist license
2 credentials in all		Kentucky Board of CosmetologyTraining 1,500 clock hours1$502–
Notary publicNotary Public, State at Large
2 credentials in all		SOS–$105Every 4 years6
Registered nurse (RN)Registered Nurse – single-state license (valid only in Kentucky)
2 credentials in all		KBN–$1258Every year9
Insurance agentInsurance Agent (Producer)
2 credentials in all		DOITraining 20 clock hours12$4013Every 2 years13
PlumberJourneyman Plumber
2 credentials in all		HBCExperience 2 years16$6017Every year18
Certified nursing assistant (CNA)State Registered Nurse Aide (SRNA)
3 credentials in all		KBNTraining 75 clock hours21–Every 2 years22
ElectricianElectrician
4 credentials in all		HBCExperience 8,000 hours24$10025Every 2 years25
Massage therapistMassage Therapist (Licensed Massage Therapist, L.M.T.)Kentucky Board of Licensure for Massage TherapyTraining 600 clock hours28$20029Every 2 years30
Real estate agentSales Associate
2 credentials in all		KRECTraining 96 clock hours33$13034Every 2 years35

Licensing boards

7 agencies issue the Kentucky licenses we cover:

  • Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (HBC): plumbers and electricians
  • Kentucky Board of Nursing (KBN): registered nurses and nursing assistants
  • Kentucky Board of Cosmetology: cosmetologists
  • Kentucky Secretary of State (SOS): notaries
  • Kentucky Department of Insurance (DOI): insurance agents
  • Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC): real estate agents
  • Kentucky Board of Licensure for Massage Therapy: massage therapists

Moving to Kentucky with a license

For electricians and real estate agents, the Kentucky board names the states whose licenses it accepts. The boards for notaries publish no transfer route, so you apply as a new applicant. Conditions, fees and forms are on each occupation page.

OccupationRoutes the board publishes
CosmetologistMilitary service members and spouses and Multistate license (interstate compact)34
Notary publicNo reciprocity route7
Registered nurse (RN)License by endorsement, Temporary license or permit and Interstate compact privilege1011
Insurance agentReciprocity agreements and Exam waiver1415
PlumberReciprocity agreements and Exam waiver1920
Certified nursing assistant (CNA)License by endorsement23
ElectricianReciprocity agreements and License by endorsement2627
Massage therapistLicense by endorsement and Military service members and spouses3132
Real estate agentReciprocity agreements and License by endorsement3637

Check a license

Every board above runs its own license search. The Kentucky license lookup page lists them in one place, with the links to report an unlicensed or problem provider.

Sources

Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.

  1. 201 KAR 12:082 Education requirements and school administrationKentucky Legislative Research CommissionDated December 2, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  2. 201 KAR 12:260 FeesKentucky Legislative Research CommissionDated December 2, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  3. 201 KAR 12:030 Licensing and examinationsKentucky Legislative Research CommissionDated December 2, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  4. KRS 317A.105 Cosmetology Licensure CompactKentucky Legislative Research CommissionDated June 29, 2023Checked November 7, 2026
  5. KRS 423.430Kentucky Legislative Research CommissionDated January 1, 2020Checked November 6, 2026
  6. KRS 423.390Kentucky Legislative Research CommissionDated January 1, 2020Checked November 6, 2026
  7. How to Become a Kentucky Notary PublicKentucky Secretary of StateChecked November 6, 2026
  8. KBN rn-examination pageKentucky Board of NursingChecked November 7, 2026
  9. 201 KAR 20:085Kentucky Legislative Research CommissionDated August 25, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
  10. KBN rn-endorsement pageKentucky Board of NursingChecked November 7, 2026
  11. KBN nlc pageKentucky Board of NursingChecked November 7, 2026
  12. 806 KAR 9:025 Licensing processKentucky Legislative Research Commission (Kentucky Administrative Regulations)Dated January 3, 2023Checked November 7, 2026
  13. 806 KAR 4:010 FeesKentucky Legislative Research Commission (Kentucky Administrative Regulations)Dated January 4, 2022Checked November 8, 2026
  14. KY DOI Agent Licensing FAQKentucky Department of InsuranceChecked November 8, 2026
  15. KRS 304.9 (agents) selected sections and KRS 304.4-010Kentucky Legislative Research CommissionChecked November 8, 2026
  16. 815 KAR 20:030 Plumbing licensesKentucky Legislative Research CommissionDated December 5, 2023Checked November 7, 2026
  17. PLB-2 Journeyman Plumber License ApplicationKentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and ConstructionDated April 1, 2023Checked November 7, 2026
  18. KRS 318.054 License expiration, renewal, CEKentucky Legislative Research CommissionDated July 14, 2018Checked November 7, 2026
  19. KRS 318.040 QualificationsKentucky Legislative Research CommissionDated June 29, 2017Checked November 7, 2026
  20. Frequently Asked Questions (Plumbing)Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and ConstructionChecked November 7, 2026
  21. 907 KAR 1:450 Nurse aide training criteria and registryKentucky Legislative Research CommissionDated September 24, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  22. KBN SRNA renewalKentucky Board of NursingChecked November 7, 2026
  23. KBN SRNA reciprocityKentucky Board of NursingChecked November 7, 2026
  24. KRS 227A.060Kentucky Legislative Research CommissionDated July 15, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
  25. 815 KAR 35:060 Licensing of electrical contractors, master electricians, and electriciansKentucky Legislative Research CommissionDated May 6, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  26. New Application Checklists (electrical)Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and ConstructionChecked November 7, 2026
  27. KRS 227A.070Kentucky Legislative Research CommissionDated July 15, 2010Checked November 7, 2026
  28. KRS 309.358Kentucky General Assembly, Legislative Research CommissionDated June 29, 2021Checked November 7, 2026
  29. 201 KAR 42:020Kentucky General Assembly, Legislative Research CommissionDated June 2, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
  30. KRS 309.361Kentucky General Assembly, Legislative Research CommissionDated June 29, 2021Checked November 7, 2026
  31. KRS 309.359Kentucky General Assembly, Legislative Research CommissionDated July 12, 2006Checked November 7, 2026
  32. 201 KAR 42:070Kentucky General Assembly, Legislative Research CommissionDated July 5, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
  33. Education OverviewKentucky Real Estate CommissionChecked November 5, 2026
  34. Fee ScheduleKentucky Real Estate CommissionChecked November 6, 2026
  35. KRS 324.090 Expiration of licenseKentucky Legislative Research CommissionChecked November 5, 2026
  36. Reciprocal LicensingKentucky Real Estate CommissionChecked November 6, 2026
  37. KRS 324.141 Reciprocal licensingKentucky Legislative Research CommissionChecked November 5, 2026