Potential candidates for circuit clerk in 2024 must register for exam by Nov. 17

Kentuckians who want to run in the 2024 election for the office of circuit court clerk must register for the qualifying exam by 5 p.m. EST Friday, Nov. 17. The Administrative Office of the Courts will administer the exam Saturday, Dec. 2, at the AOC building in Frankfort. 

The exam has been revamped under Supreme Court Administrative Order 2023-13. It now consists of 150 questions about material in the Circuit Court Clerks Manual, Circuit Court Clerks Accounting Manual, Circuit Court Clerks Code of Conduct and Judicial Branch Personnel Policies. A general knowledge section has been eliminated from the exam and questions about the code of conduct have been added.   

Examinees must score at least 70% to run for office, pursuant to SCR 1.060(3).

Current circuit court clerks do not have to take the exam. 

The office of circuit court clerk will appear on the ballot in each of Kentucky’s 120 counties in 2024. Election information is available on the Kentucky Secretary of State website at https://www.sos.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx

Registrants must upload their government-issued photo ID when registering at https://clerkexamregistration.powerappsportals.us/. Registrants must also present their government-issued photo ID and registration confirmation upon arriving for the exam.

Exam Details

Date: Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. The exam will be given on this date only. The exam will not be rescheduled due to personal conflicts/situations.

Place: Administrative Office of the Courts, 1001 Vandalay Drive, Frankfort, KY 40601

Time: Admittance will begin at 8 a.m. EST. No one will be admitted after 9 a.m. EST. You will have three hours to complete the exam.

Rules: Study materials, calculators, cell phones, smartwatches, food and beverages will not be allowed.