Mine Safety Training
The Division of Mine Safety (DMS) is proud to offer mining courses to Kentucky coal miners throughout the state. Our four Branch offices provide training and testing led by qualified instructors in:
- Initial Underground and Surface Miner
- Annual Retraining for Underground and Surface Miner
- Initial Underground and Surface Foreman
- Annual Retraining for Underground and Surface Foreman
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Initial Mine Emergency Technician (MET)
- Annual Retraining for MET
- Initial Electrical Worker
- Annual Retraining for Electrical Worker
- Shot Firer/Conventional and Solid Blasting
By conducting quality miner training, the Division believes that miners will work safer and become more productive. Training and testing schedules are located on the Training and Testing Schedule link to the right.
Training Requests
Training may be requested using the Training Request Form located on the Online Submittals and Forms web page. Please note as indicated in the DMS Training Request Submission Process Industry Letter, effective January 1, 2026, all training requests are to be submitted to the DMS Director at MineTrngSafetyEform@ky.gov.
Kentucky Reciprocity between Virginia and West Virginia
Letters of Good Standing (LOGS)
In 2007 the Kentucky Division of Mine Safety entered into a Reciprocity Agreement with Virginia and West Virginia regarding the certification of miners. DMS may issue a person holding a certificate issued by the noted states a certificate permitting him or her to perform similar tasks in the Commonwealth if the requirements are met in KRS 351.122.
To ensure compliance with KRS 351.122(1)(e) a LOGS is requested by the state in which the miner intends to gain certification. Requests may be made by contacting Tiffany Taylor at tiffanyc.taylor@ky.gov or 502-782-6711. In the email, provide your name, date of birth, and the city and state the LOGS should be sent.
Electrical Training Program
Electrical training classes are offered free of charge at all Mine Safety Branch offices throughout the year. For those interested in the initial electrical test, it is offered at least once a month. KRS 351.109 lists the required qualifications for individuals who wish to take the written exam.
Access the Kentucky Electrical Study Guide to prepare for the exam. An affidavit and data sheet are also available along with instructions for those who qualify and want to become a Kentucky certified electrician and/or instructor.
Together, we can make each Kentucky coal mine a safe place to work.