Understand the Approval Structure

Kentucky real estate instructors teach approved pre-licensing, post-licensing, and continuing-education courses through a KREC-approved education provider.

An individual must be approved by KREC before teaching a course for which students receive Kentucky real estate education credit. Instructor approval generally lasts one year and must be renewed annually.

The education provider—not just the instructor—is also subject to KREC approval requirements. If you plan to create your own school or education business, you will typically need separate provider approval and course approval in addition to individual instructor approval.

Meet the Education or Experience Standard

Kentucky’s instructor rule provides several alternative ways to meet the basic qualification requirement. An applicant generally must have one of the following:

• A bachelor’s or postgraduate degree from an accredited college or university in a field directly related to the course, such as real estate, business, law, or finance.
• An associate degree in real estate from an accredited college or university.
• Five consecutive years of full-time experience in the real-estate-related subject being taught.
• A combination of teaching, education, and full-time real estate experience totaling five years.

The relevant experience should relate directly to the subject matter. For example, an instructor teaching real estate finance should be able to document appropriate finance, lending, investment, or related real estate experience.

Meeting an education or experience alternative does not automatically guarantee approval. KREC also expects the instructor to demonstrate thorough knowledge of the course subject and familiarity with Kentucky real estate licensing statutes and administrative regulations.

Complete the Required Instructor Training

Applicants generally must complete a mandatory educator-training course within the 12 months before applying for initial approval or renewal.

The required instructor education consists of at least three 50-minute blocks of instruction. The current KREC application form requires proof of completion to be submitted with the application.

The regulation provides limited exemptions, including certain national-level or unique speakers. Because exemptions and course availability can change, applicants should confirm eligibility directly with KREC before relying on an exemption.

Prepare the Application

The standard application is the KREC Instructor Application and Renewal Form, identified in the regulations as KREC Form 100.

Prepare the following materials:

• Completed and signed instructor application.
• Current résumé or curriculum vitae.
• Certificate of completion for the required instructor-training course.
• Any documentation needed to explain an answer on the application.
• License certifications from each jurisdiction where the applicant holds a professional license.

The application form may also ask about professional licenses, disciplinary history, and other background information. Answer every question completely and attach explanations or supporting records when required.

A résumé should clearly show the experience, education, licenses, teaching history, and subject-matter expertise that support approval for each course the applicant intends to teach.

Apply Through the Kentucky Real Estate Commission

Submit the completed application and supporting documents to KREC using the current submission instructions on the form. The official application identifies the Commission’s office in Frankfort and lists its telephone number for questions about filing requirements.

Before submitting:

1. Identify the specific subjects or courses you intend to teach.
2. Match your education and experience to those subjects.
3. Complete the required educator-training course within the permitted 12-month period.
4. Assemble the résumé, license certifications, training certificate, and explanations.
5. Use the current version of the KREC instructor application.
6. Confirm fees, delivery method, processing procedures, and any additional documentation with KREC or the sponsoring education provider.

KREC may request clarification or additional evidence if the submitted résumé or credentials do not clearly establish subject-matter qualifications.

Work With an Approved Education Provider

Most instructors begin by contacting a Kentucky-approved real estate school, association, college, brokerage, or continuing-education provider. KREC maintains information about approved education providers that may offer pre-license, post-license, and continuing-education courses.

The provider may help determine:

• Which approved courses need instructors.
• Whether the instructor’s credentials fit the course.
• What materials, outlines, attendance procedures, and evaluations are required.
• Whether the provider will submit course-related materials to KREC.
• Whether the instructor must follow additional provider policies.

An instructor’s approval does not by itself authorize an unapproved school to offer credit-bearing Kentucky real estate courses. The provider and the course must also satisfy applicable KREC requirements.

If You Plan to Start a School

A person who wants to operate an education provider should review the separate provider-approval requirements in 201 KAR 11:170. The provider application may require an education-provider form, applicable proprietary-school documentation, sample certificates or transcripts, student agreements, attendance and identity-verification procedures, and other operational materials.

Pre-licensing courses may have additional approval requirements and filing deadlines. The regulation states that an approved provider seeking approval for a pre-license course must generally submit the course application at least 90 days before the scheduled offering.

Because school and course requirements can be detailed, prospective providers should contact KREC before advertising or scheduling a course.

Maintain Approval

Instructor approval is annual. For renewal, instructors generally submit the renewal application, updated information, and proof of completing the required instructor course unless an applicable exemption applies.

Maintain organized records of:

• Instructor-training certificates.
• Résumés and professional licenses.
• Teaching assignments and course subjects.
• Course materials and outlines.
• Changes in employment, licensing, or disciplinary status.

Renew early enough to avoid a lapse in authorization. The current KREC form and the applicable version of 201 KAR 11:170 control if instructions or forms change.

Real Estate Instructor Versus Appraisal Instructor

Kentucky has separate rules for real estate appraisal instructors. Appraisal education is governed through the Kentucky real estate appraisal regulatory framework, not the ordinary KREC real estate-instructor process.

An appraisal instructor may need appraisal-specific education or experience, familiarity with appraisal law and USPAP, and—in some cases—a Kentucky certified general or certified residential appraiser credential in good standing.

Therefore, an individual teaching real estate sales, brokerage, or general real estate education should use KREC’s real estate-instructor requirements. An individual teaching qualifying or continuing education for appraisers should verify the separate requirements with the Kentucky appraiser regulator.

Where to Confirm Current Rules

Rules, forms, fees, approved-provider lists, and submission procedures can change. Confirm the current requirements with the Kentucky Real Estate Commission before enrolling in instructor training, submitting an application, or advertising a course.

The controlling regulation is 201 KAR 11:170, especially its provisions on instructor qualifications, educator training, application materials, and annual approval. KREC’s current instructor application and approved-provider information should be checked alongside the regulation.

Authoritative Sources

• Kentucky Real Estate Commission — Real Estate Education Providers
• Kentucky Real Estate Commission — Instructor Application and Renewal Form
• Kentucky Administrative Regulations — 201 KAR 11:170, Education Provider Requirements
• Kentucky Administrative Regulations — Title 201, Chapter 11, Real Estate Commission
• Kentucky Administrative Regulations — 201 KAR 30:160, Appraisal Instructor Standards