Licensure via Portfolio

Licensure via Portfolio is a non-traditional option for earning a Tier 3 teaching license or to add additional licensure fields to an existing Tier 3 or Tier 4 teaching license. Through this process, a teacher can submit a “portfolio,” which is a collection of evidence with accompanying narratives describing how the teacher has the knowledge, skills and competencies required for a specific licensure field.

The first step for the portfolio process is verifying eligibility to make sure that candidates aren't otherwise eligible for licensure and to confirm that candidates have prerequisite experiences and qualifications.

Refer to the Licensure via Portfolio Guidelines for more information. Once eligibility has been confirmed, additional individualized information will be provided to portfolio candidates.
For eligibility information, portfolio candidates need to indicate which of the Minnesota's licensure fields they are seeking. Note that some licenses, such as related services, may not be added via portfolio. Some licenses may only be added as an additional license.

Process
Eligibility
Required Standards
Support Sessions

Process

Step 1: Eligibility

The teacher must submit an Eligibility Form to confirm their ability to seek licensure through the portfolio process.

Step 2: Prepare Portfolio(s)

Once eligibility is determined, the teacher has up to one year to submit their portfolio(s). At the time the teacher submits the portfolio(s), they will be required to submit the review fee (non-refundable).

Step 3: Review of Portfolio(s)

A teacher's pedagogy portfolio is reviewed by a panel of reviewers. The teacher may choose to present their pedagogy portfolio to the panel on a set review date. A teacher's content portfolio and core skills portfolio (if applicable) are reviewed by two content experts.

Step 4: Obtain Recommendation

After the teacher's portfolio(s) are submitted, the reviewers have 90 days to assess the portfolio(s) and provide a recommendation for licensure or indicate why the teacher is not being recommended for licensure. If the teacher’s portfolio(s) are not recommended for licensure, the teacher may resubmit for an additional review.

Step 5: Apply for Licensure

Once recommended for licensure, the teacher must pass applicable licensure exams and apply for a Tier 3 or 4 license.
View the Licensure via Portfolio Handout here.
Eligibility

Eligibility: Initial Tier 3 License

To be eligible to seek an initial Tier 3 license through the portfolio process, the teacher must have a bachelor's degree. Additionally, the teacher must have either:
a. Two years of teaching experience serving as a teacher of record in the licensure area sought or
b. One year of teaching experience serving as teacher of record in the licensure area sought with mentorship that meets the following criteria:
1. a yearlong collaborative relationship with an experienced Tier 3 or 4 mentor teacher who is not currently on an improvement plan and voluntarily agrees to mentor the mentee teacher;
2. the mentor has access to resources or training, develops common expectations for the mentorship experience, and encourages the mentee to select areas for growth over the course of the year;
3. consists of sessions no less than once per month that focus on building a collaborative relationship with a focus on the exchange of knowledge, skills, and experiences, including the needs and questions of the mentee; and
4. the sessions include discussion of effective strategies to engage students; classroom management strategies that reflect an understanding of the stages of child development; the educational rights of students and their diverse needs and experiences; school policies and practices, including appropriate boundaries and data privacy; and how student learning data can be used to improve classroom planning and instruction.
Exception: A teacher seeking an initial Tier 3 license in Career and Technical Education does not need to have a bachelor's degree if the teacher:
a. Has five years of relevant work experience aligned to the licensure area sought;
b. Holds an associate's degree aligned to the licensure area sought; or
c. Holds a professional certification aligned to the licensure area sought

Eligibility: To add a licensure field

To be eligible to add a licensure field through the portfolio process, the teacher must hold a Tier 3 or Tier 4 teaching license. Teachers who hold a Tier 3 or 4 related services license only must complete the initial license eligibility form.

Eligibility Forms
- Eligibility Form - Initial License
- Eligibility Form - Additional License
Questions

For questions about eligibility, please email portfolio.pelsb@state.mn.us.
Required Standards

What is a licensure standard?

Minnesota is a "standard-based" licensure state, which means that licensure candidates must demonstrate knowledge and skills specific to each licensure field (rather than a "course-based" state which requires a certain number of courses or credits aligned to a particular topic).

Licensure standards are set in rule - pedagogical standards are set in Minnesota Rules 8710.2000 and subject-matter standards are set in Minnesota Rules 8710.3000-8710.8080. Additionally, special education licenses have additional standards, called the Core Skills for Special Education teachers, in Minnesota Rules 8710.5000, and CTE licenses have additional standards, called the Core Skills for CTE teachers, in Minnesota Rules 8710.8000. These licensures standards were developed by professionals in the field and represent the foundational knowledge and skills needed for each licensure field.

Required Standards: Initial Tier 3 License

For initial licensure, a teacher must submit the following portfolios:
- Pedagogy: A pedagogy portfolio demonstrates the teacher's ability to meet the Standards of Effective Practice. A teacher can use a passing score on the edTPA in place of a pedagogy portfolio.
- Content: A content portfolio demonstrates the teacher's ability to meet license-specific content standards.
- Core Skills: Core skills portfolios are requires for teacher's seeking initial licensure in a special education field or CTE field.
Required Standards: Additional Licensure

To add an additional license through the licensure via portfolio process, the teacher must prepare a content portfolio demonstrating the teacher's ability to meet license-specific standards.

If the teacher is seeking a special education license or CTE license and the teacher has not previously completed a SPED or CTE licensure program or portfolio, the teacher will be required to complete a Core Skills portfolio in addition to the content portfolio.

Questions

For questions about which standards may apply in your situation, please email portfolio.pelsb@state.mn.us.
Candidate Support Sessions

Join PELSB staff to get your questions answered about licensure via portfolio:

December 7, 2022: 4-6 PM

Thank you to everyone who joined us! You may access a recording of the December 7 support session and also, refer to the chat section of the recording for some great questions and answers. Please continue to connect with others and with PELSB for additional support!

March 8, 2023: 4-5:45 PM

Recording of the March 8 support session.