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The Office of Auditor of Public Accounts was first created as a constitutional office by the 1850 Constitution of Kentucky. The provision for the election of an Auditor, whose duties would be prescribed by statute, began in this document and still appears in the current Constitution adopted in 1891. The duties of the Auditor are found in KRS Chapter 43 and include the right to investigate all state and county officials authorized to handle state funds or who manage or control state property or who make estimates or records that are used as a basis for disbursement of state funds. The organization units within this agency are the Office of the State Auditor; the Office of Legal and Audit Support Services; Office of Planning and Management; Office of Technology and Special Audits; and Division of Financial Audit.
The Kentucky Board of Architects was established in 1930 to protect the public health, safety and welfare by the regulation of architects. It was originally entitled the Kentucky Board of Examiners and Registration of Architects. Since 2002, the Board has additionally assumed the responsibility for the certification of interior designers in the Commonwealth. The Board is governed by the Kentucky Revised Statutes under Title XXVI, Occupations and Professions, Chapter 323.
The Kentucky Board of Barbering was created in 1960 by KRS Chapter 317. The Board governs the location and housing of barber shops or schools; the quality or equipment, supplies, materials, records, and furnishings required in barber shops or schools; the training and supervision of barber apprentices; the qualifications of teachers of barbering; the hours and courses of instruction at barber schools; and the examinations of applicants for barber, apprentice barber, or teacher of barbering. The Board consists of five Board members appointed by the Governor of the Commonwealth.
The Kentucky Board of Dentistry was created in 1942 under KRS Chapter 313. The Board is responsible for licensing dentists and dental hygienists and administering the Dental Practice Act, which involves investigating complaints and litigating complaints against dentists and dental hygienists.
The Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors was established as State Board of Embalmers in 1934. KRS Chapter 316 governs the Board. The Board consists of five Board members, office staff and an inspector. The Board’s objective is to prescribe the standards of efficiency for those who are engaged in the practice of funeral directing and embalming. The Board also adopts, promulgates and enforces regulations for the transaction of the funeral establishments and embalming business, the management of its affairs, and the promotion of the educational standards of the professions.
The Kentucky State Board of Hairdressers & Cosmetologists was created in 1974. Under the provisions of KRS Chapters 317 A and B, the Board administers and enforces regulations relating to cosmetology, cosmetologists, schools of cosmetology, students enrolled in cosmetology, apprentice cosmetologists, nail technicians, teachers of cosmetology, cosmetology salons, and nail salons.
The Kentucky State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors was established in 1938 to protect the public health, safety and welfare by licensing and monitoring of individuals and firms deemed qualified to practice. The Board consists of nine (9) members appointed by the Governor and two (2) ex officio members. The Board operates under KRS 322.10 through 322.990 and 201 KAR 18.
The Board of Nursing was established in 1950 by KRS 314.011, which charged it with regulating the practice of nursing in Kentucky. The mission of the board is to enforce public policy related to the safe and effective practice of nursing in the interest of public welfare. It examines applicants and issues or renews licenses to qualified candidates, hears charges against licenses and determines whether to revoke licenses and prosecute those violating laws pertaining to nurses, approves curricula and standards for schools of nursing and monitors competency standards for nurses. In addition, the board approves providerships for mandatory continuing education and prelicensure programs of nursing, enforces the Nursing Practice Act and issues nursing practice opinions. The Board consists of sixteen members appointed by the Governor for four year terms. The Board is self-supporting through fees assessed for professional licensure and receives no general fund tax appropriation.
The Kentucky Board of Pharmacy serves the Commonwealth to promote, preserve, and protect the public health, safety, and welfare through effective regulation of the practice of Pharmacy. The Board accomplishes this mission through examination, testing and credentialing of prospective pharmacists; regulation and discipline of all licensed pharmacists; and appropriate communication of information and laws pertaining to the practice of Pharmacy in Kentucky. The Kentucky Board of Pharmacy is self-supporting and receives no general fund tax appropriation. It is funded through fees assessed for the licensing and registration of its professionals and the permitting of pharmacies and wholesaler/manufacturing facilities. The first Board was assembled informally in 1874 and formally formed in 1898 and originally functioned as part of the Department of Health. In 1936 the Board was placed within the Department of Business Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation. In 1938, the responsibility for the enforcement of the prophylactic laws was vested in the Board. By 1960 the Board was back within the Department of Health. Under KRS 315.191(Created 1966 Ky. Acts ch. 260, sec. 1.), the board was authorized to establish qualifications for pharmacists; administer pharmacy license examinations; issue, deny, suspend, and revoke licenses; and place licensees on probation. The board was also authorized to adopt appropriate rules to regulate those matters set forth in KRS 315.050 to 315.210 relating to pharmacists and pharmacies.
The Board of Physical Therapy licenses all physical therapists and physical therapist assistants for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The Board interprets and enforces the laws and regulations through the credentialing process, investigating complaints and applying disciplinary measures as set forth by law. The Board was established in 1958 under the provisions of KRS 327.030 - 327.070 to license and regulate the practice of physical therapy. The board consists of seven members appointed by the Governor. Six of these members are physical therapists and one is a public member.
Created in 1974, the Board of Social Work examines and licenses all eligible candidates for entry into the profession of Social Work. It recommends appropriate changes in the law to assure fairness and equality. The Board conducts formal hearings when necessary and prosecutes by due process any violators of KRS 335.010 to 335.170.
The Kentucky Commission on Women is dedicated to elevating the status of women and girls in the Commonwealth, empowering them to overcome barriers to equity, and expanding opportunities to achieve their fullest potential. The commission operates under the mandates set down in KRS 344.510-344.530. In response to President John F. Kennedy's creation of The Commission on the Status of Women, Kentucky Governor Edward T. Breathitt established a state commission in April 1964 to study and report on the status of Kentucky women. The findings demonstrated a pronounced need for a permanent agency to promote the improvement of women's status, and in November 1968, Governor Louie Nunn signed the executive order establishing the Kentucky Commission on Women. In 1970, the Kentucky Commission on Women became an official state agency through legislative action. The Kentucky Commission on Women became part of the Cabinet for General Government as an administrative body attached to the Governor's Office in 1980. In January 2008, Governor Steven Beshear relocated the Kentucky Commission on Women into the State Capitol for the first time in the Commission's history. The Kentucky Commission on Women is comprised of a board of directors. Membership of the board consists of the Lieutenant Governor and not more than 24 members and a Chairperson, who is appointed by the Governor. Board members serve four-year terms.
Kentucky. Commission on Women
The Department of Agriculture was established in 1942 as part of Agriculture, Labor and Statistics. In 1962, this department became its own entity functioning under the direction of an elected Commissioner. The Department of Agriculture promotes the interests of agriculture and horticulture in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and is governed by Kentucky Revised Statues 246 – 263. The Department of Agriculture consists of the Office of the Commissioner; Office of the Chief Executive Officer; Office for Agricultural Marketing and Product Promotion; Office for Consumer and Environmental Protection; Office of State Veterinarian; Office for Strategic Planning and Administration; and State Board of Agriculture.
In the 1992 regular legislative session, the General Assembly passed Senate Bill 63, the Executive Branch Code of Ethics, which applies to employees of the Executive Branch. The 1994 regular session of the General Assembly amended this Code of Ethics in KRS 11A.040(9) to provide a procedure by which Executive Branch employees may seek approval, on a case-by-case basis, of the Executive Branch Ethics Commission of their part-time employment. On August 15, 1994, 9 KAR 1:050, established the procedure to be followed in seeking the approval of the Executive Branch Ethics Commission. In cases where there obviously is no association between the employee’s agency and their part-time employer, there is no reason to request an opinion of the Executive Branch Ethics Commission. If in doubt of this relationship, opinions should be obtained through the Ethics Commission.
Kentucky Lottery Corporation was created in 1988 and is governed by KRS Chapter 154A. The Kentucky Lottery Corporation conducts lottery games that provides revenues to the Commonwealth as well as provides entertainment to its citizens. The Board of Directors is composed of eight (8) members and one member shall be the State Treasurer who serves in an ex officio capacity. The other seven (7) members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.
The first Constitution of Kentucky (1792) provided for a Treasurer to be appointed annually by the General Assembly. The second Constitution (1799) added that the Governor could appoint the Treasurer while the General Assembly was in recess. The third Constitution (1850) called for the elections of the Treasurer for a term of two years. The current Constitution (1891) established a four-year term. KRS Chapter 41 outlines the State Treasury’s responsibilities and delineates methods for deposits, withdrawals and disbursements of state funds. The State Treasury is the chief clearinghouse for state government revenues. The agency records, verifies and pays all federal, state and local withholding taxes for state employees. It records, monitors, and reconciles all transactions in the state’s depository and checking accounts. The Kentucky State Treasury also performs the following functions: implements court ordered attachments against the salaries of state employees or moneys owed to state vendors; makes timely deposit of incoming revenues from state agencies; records, monitors and reconciles all transactions in the state's depository and checking accounts; makes all payments through various payment formats for all of the Commonwealth’s obligations for all agencies, including Unemployment Insurance, Tax Refunds, and Employees’ and Teachers’ Retirement; provides all ancillary functions related to the payment process, including stop payments, forgery collections, and check cancellations for all state agencies; oversees and coordinates the electronic payment process for the Commonwealth for both incoming and outgoing payments; and serves as the central repository for all unclaimed and abandoned property that is required by statute to be reported to the Commonwealth. The Treasurer maintains an active program to identify and locate the owners of the unclaimed property turned over to the state.
The Department for Military Affairs was created in 1932 and is the official state agency for all military matters (KRS Chapters 36, 37, and 38), disaster and emergency services coordination in the Commonwealth (KRS Chapter 39), and veterans’ bonuses (KRS Chapter 40). The Governor is the constitutional commander-in-chief of the forces which are on active duty in the state. The Governor appoints the Adjutant General, who commands the Kentucky National Guard, which consists of the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard, and directs and coordinates all programs of the Department. The Department has responsibility for organizing, equipping, training and housing units of the Kentucky National Guard, which may be called to duty by the Governor in the event of civil strife or disorder, or the occurrence of natural or man-made disasters. The Department also has organizational units related to public affairs, disaster assistance, family assistance, Bluegrass Station, Bluegrass ChalleNGe, human resources and military records, training, re-integration, and employer support of the Guard and Reserve.
The elective office of Attorney General was established by the Constitution of Kentucky. Sections 91 and 93 of the Constitution provide that the duties of the Attorney General be prescribed by law. KRS Chapter 15 clarifies the duties of the Attorney General and the functions of the Department of Law. The Department is comprised of the Civil Branch, Criminal Branch and Family Branch.
Pursuant to KRS 18.170, the Personnel Board was established to adopt comprehensive personnel rules according to state and federal laws, to make investigations and hear appeals from applicants and employees regarding personnel matters, and serve in an advisory capacity to the governor and Commissioner of Personnel with respect to the personnel system. The board came into existence as an independent agency on July 15, 1982 through KRS 18A.045. Prior to this time, the board was in one fashion or another administratively attached to the Department of Personnel since the beginning of the state merit system by virtue of legislation passed in the 1960 legislature.
The Registry of Election Finance was created by statute in 1966, as an independent agency to administer the statutes pertaining to political campaign and election financing (KRS 121.110). In 1992, the General Assembly enacted the Public Financing Campaign Act and transferred the agency from the Public Protection and Regulation Cabinet to the Department of State (Office of the Secretary of State). The seven members of the Registry are appointed, subject to Senate confirmation, by the Governor, Auditor of Public Accounts, Attorney General, and Secretary of State, in a bipartisan or nonpartisan manner for staggered four-year terms (KRS 121.110).
The Kentucky State Board of Accountancy, created in 1946, is the state agency responsible for protecting the public by licensing and regulating Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) and CPA firms in Kentucky. It administers Kentucky Revised Statute Chapter 325 and the Kentucky Administrative Regulations stemming from this law. The Board consists of seven members appointed by the Governor.
The Board of Elections was created in 1932 as the Board of Election Commissioners. It is currently an independent agency that administers the Commonwealth’s election laws, promulgates administrative regulations necessary to properly carry out its duties, supervises the registration and purgation of voters, appoints the political party representatives to the 120 county boards of elections, and certifies the official election results. The State Board of Elections is comprised of seven members: the Secretary of State (Chairman), three Democratic members and three Republican members. It is governed by KRS Chapter 117.
The Board of Medical Licensure is governed under KRS 311 and 201 KAR 9. The mission of the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure is to protect the public by ensuring that licensure qualifications and standards of medical and osteopathic physicians are met and that appropriate disciplinary action is taken in a timely manner when violations of the Medical Practice Act occur. The Board is also responsible for the regulating of qualified physician assistants, athletic trainers, surgical assistants and acupuncturists practicing in the Commonwealth. It investigates complaints against its licensees and issues sanctions when appropriate. The Board is made up of seven Doctors of Medicine; one Doctor of Osteopathy; three Citizens at Large; the Commissioner, Department of Public Health, Cabinet for Health and Family Services; the Dean, University of Kentucky College of Medicine; the Vice Dean for Clinical Affairs of the University of Louisville School of Medicine and the Dean, Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine.The Board is self-supporting and receives no general fund tax appropriations. It is funded solely through fees collected from its licensees.
The Kentucky Board of Respiratory Care (KBRC) regulates respiratory care practitioners and their services. KBRC was established in 1990 to protect the citizens of the Commonwealth of Kentucky from unsafe practitioners and practices.
