diff --git a/lemur/certificates/schemas.py b/lemur/certificates/schemas.py
index ac7add38..f393aa49 100644
--- a/lemur/certificates/schemas.py
+++ b/lemur/certificates/schemas.py
@@ -326,6 +326,7 @@ class CertificateUploadInputSchema(CertificateCreationSchema):
     body = fields.String(required=True)
     chain = fields.String(missing=None, allow_none=True)
     csr = fields.String(required=False, allow_none=True, validate=validators.csr)
+    key_type = fields.String()
 
     destinations = fields.Nested(AssociatedDestinationSchema, missing=[], many=True)
     notifications = fields.Nested(AssociatedNotificationSchema, missing=[], many=True)
@@ -373,6 +374,16 @@ class CertificateUploadInputSchema(CertificateCreationSchema):
             # Throws ValidationError
             validators.verify_cert_chain([cert] + chain)
 
+    @pre_load
+    def load_data(self, data):
+        if data.get("body"):
+            try:
+                data["key_type"] = utils.get_key_type_from_certificate(data["body"])
+            except ValueError:
+                raise ValidationError(
+                    "Public certificate presented is not valid.", field_names=["body"]
+                )
+
 
 class CertificateExportInputSchema(LemurInputSchema):
     plugin = fields.Nested(PluginInputSchema)
diff --git a/lemur/tests/test_pending_certificates.py b/lemur/tests/test_pending_certificates.py
index 3e755574..3718ef0a 100644
--- a/lemur/tests/test_pending_certificates.py
+++ b/lemur/tests/test_pending_certificates.py
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ def test_create_pending(pending_certificate, user, session):
     assert real_cert.notify == pending_certificate.notify
     assert real_cert.private_key == pending_certificate.private_key
     assert real_cert.external_id == "54321"
+    assert real_cert.key_type == "RSA2048"
 
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize(