Frequently Asked Questions

You are eligible for KDP membership if you are:

A teacher candidate (degree-seeking student) who:

• Is enrolled in or has completed 6 hours of education courses
• Has a minimum 3.0 collegiate GPA (or equivalent)
• Supports KDP’s mission, vision, and values

An alternative certification candidate who:

• Holds a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree
• Is enrolled in or has completed 6 hours of education courses
• Supports KDP’s mission, vision, and values
• Note: No GPA requirement applies if you already hold a bachelor’s degree

A practicing teacher who:

• Holds a professional teaching degree
• Supports KDP’s mission, vision, and values

How much does membership cost?

• Teacher candidates (including alternative certification candidates): $65 annually
• Practicing teachers: $95 annually

These fees provide access to professional development resources, scholarship opportunities, exclusive member benefits, and our supportive community. Please note that some chapters may charge additional local dues. Memberships are anniversary-based, renewing one year from your join date.

Your KDP membership includes:

• Professional development: Access to webinars, workshops, and The Rooted Teacher quality-of-life initiative
• Scholarship opportunities: Up to $113,000 awarded annually across all degree levels
• Career support: Job search resources, interview preparation, and networking opportunities
• Community: Connection with passionate educators through local chapters and our online community
• Publications: Access to The Teacher Advocate magazine and The Educational Forum journal
• Discounts: Savings on professional liability insurance, educational resources, and conference registration

View all membership benefits here.

1. Apply online and complete payment at kdp.org.
2. Receive confirmation that your membership is pending approval.
3. Get approved by your local chapter advisor or KDP national staff (typically within a few days).
4. Receive welcome email with details about accessing your benefits and joining our online community.
5. Attend initiation ceremony (optional but encouraged!).

Yes. Your membership will not appear on the chapter roster for approval until payment is completed at kdp.org.

Yes. You will receive a full refund to your original payment method if your membership application is not approved.

No deadline from KDP national—we welcome new members year-round! However, some local chapters may have specific deadlines for ceremonies or events. Check with your local chapter for any specific dates.

Find out using our chapter locator map. If your institution doesn’t have a chapter, you can apply to start one!

Yes. All chapter participation requires an active national KDP membership.

Local chapters provide valuable community connections and typically offer:

• Initiation ceremonies with certificates and pins
• Possible cords for graduating, active members
• Professional development workshops
• Social events and networking opportunities
• Community service projects
• Field trips and educational experiences

Each chapter operates based on their members’ needs and institutional circumstances.

Each chapter sets its own local dues structure. Some chapters have KDP national collect these fees during your membership process, while others collect them locally. Contact your local chapter for specific information about any additional fees.

• Forgot your username? Recover it here
• Forgot your password? Reset it here

Log in to your account, then click “My Account” in the menu. For assistance, email membership@kdp.org or call 800-284-3167.

Log in to your KDP account and select the “Renew” option to complete payment. You can also renew by phone at 800-284-3167. For more renewal options, visit our renewal page.

Call 800-284-3167 or email membership@kdp.org with your name and ID number (if available). Include which chapter you need to transfer to. We’ll respond within one business day. Additional chapter fees may apply.

Yes! You’ll receive both a printed, frameable certificate and a digital version via email. Certificates are provided by your local chapter if you’re affiliated with one, or by the national office if not. Printed certificates may take several weeks to arrive.

Your local chapter may host in-person ceremonies—check with them for details. KDP national also offers two online options:

• Self-paced ceremony: Complete at your convenience by registering here.
• Live virtual ceremony: Join us on Zoom by checking our events calendar.

Yes, if your membership is active (paid) at the time of graduation.

Exclusive, official merchandise is available in the KDP Store.

KDP awards up to $113,000 in scholarships annually for all degree levels. Applications are accepted each spring. View available scholarships and application details here.

Insurance is not included, but KDP members receive significant savings through our partner, Forrest T. Jones. Student policies are $29 annually and practicing teacher policies are $108 annually for $1 million in coverage. Sign up here.

While KDP no longer publishes books, we offer two peer-reviewed publications where members can submit articles:

• The Teacher Advocate - Digital magazine for practical classroom strategies
• The Educational Forum - Scholarly journal published quarterly

Future KDP Convocation dates and locations are announced at kdp.org. Local chapters also host regional conferences and virtual events throughout the year—stay connected with our community to learn about opportunities in your area.

No. We recommend working with your state teaching union or organization for legal support.