In a method for forming a phosphor-converted LED, an array of vertical LEDs is printed over a conductive surface of a substrate such that a bottom electrode of the LEDs ohmically contacts the conductive surface. A dielectric layer then formed over the conductive surface. An electrically conductive phosphor layer is deposited over the dielectric layer and the LEDs to ohmically contact the top surface of the LEDs and connect the LEDs in parallel. The conductive phosphor layer is formed by phosphor particles intermixed with a transparent conductor material. One or more metal contacts over the conductive phosphor layer conduct current through the conductive phosphor layer and the LEDs to illuminate the LEDs. A portion of light generated by the LED leaks through the conductive phosphor layer, and the combination of the LED light and phosphor light creates a composite light.