Process
Step 1: Eligibility
The teacher must submit an Eligibility Form in Proserva 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). If additional time is needed, check with portfolio.pelsb@state.mn.us to verify continued eligibility with the same standards. 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.
For information on becoming a Portfolio Reviewer, please see this document and email portfolio.pelsb@state.mn.us with any questions.
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. As soon as the portfolio review is complete, PELSB staff will contact the portfolio candidate.
Step 5: Apply for Licensure
Once recommended for licensure, the teacher must submit an application to apply for a Tier 3 or 4 license.
View the Licensure via Portfolio Handout here.
Eligibility
Eligibility Requirements
(1) Educational requirements: One of the following:
A. holds a minimum of a regionally accredited baccalaureate degree, or
B. holds a credential from outside the United States that is equivalent to the U.S. bachelor degree (Foreign Credential Evaluation (mn.gov), or
C. falls under the exemption from holding a bachelor’s degree:
a. Seeking a license in Career and Technical Education or Career Pathways and has one of the following:
i. Five years of relevant work experience aligned to the licensure area sought;
ii. An associate’s degree aligned to the licensure area sought; or
iii. A professional certification aligned to the licensure area sought from an approved certifying organization.
b. Seeking a license in World Language and Culture and is a native speaker of the language.
c. Seeking a license in Visual Arts, Dance, Theatre, or Music and has give years of relevant work experience in the licensure area sought.
(2) Experience requirements: One of the following:
A. A year-long mentorship program that includes all the following:
a. Yearlong collaborative relationship with an experienced Tier 3 or 4 mentor teacher who voluntarily agrees to mentor the mentee teacher;
b. The mentor has access to resources or training, develops common expectations for the mentorship experience, and encourages the mentee to select areas of growth over the course of the year;
c. 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
d. 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; or
B. Two years of experience teaching as the teacher of record in the licensure area sought; or
C. A Tier 3 or 4 teaching license (excluding related services)
Endorsement Fields
To be eligible to add one of the following licensure fields through the portfolio process, the teacher must hold a Tier 3 or Tier 4 teaching license. Some endorsement licenses require that teachers hold or qualify for a specific license.
Endorsement
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Must hold or qualify for the following initial license by the time the candidate applies
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Preprimary
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Tier 3 or 4 K-6 Elementary Education license (must include kindergarten)
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World Languages and Cultures (K-8)
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Tier 3 or 4 K-6 Elementary Education license
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Bilingual/Bicultural Education
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Tier 3 or 4 license in Elementary Education, mathematics, science, social studies, or health education
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Computer, Keyboarding, and Related Technology Applications
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Any Tier 3 or 4 license to teach students in grades kindergarten through 12. (Note: The scope of the endorsement will align to the scope of the initial license held by the candidate.)
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Middle Level Endorsement for Communication Arts and Literature, Mathematics, Social Studies
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Any Tier 3 or 4 teaching license
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Reading
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Any Tier 3 or 4 license but the Parent and Family license
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Reading Leader
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Tier 3 or 4 Reading license
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Work-Based Learning
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Any Tier 3 or 4 teaching license that includes the 9 through 12 scope
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Developmental Adapted and Physical Education (DAPE)
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Tier 3 or 4 Physical Education license
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Eligibility Submission
To verify eligibility for the licensure via portfolio process, follow these instructions to upload this eligibility form. Read the directions carefully to complete the required sections.
After eligibility information is submitted with indicated documents, please allow two weeks for a response. Please do not resend your eligibility information while you wait.
If a candidate is eligible for the licensure via portfolio process, the candidate may submit a portfolio for review. To be recommended for licensure, the portfolio must include evidence aligned to the intent, all parts, and depth and breadth of standards.
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.