Alternative Paths to Licensure: Public Comment Open

Waiving an MTEL test for teacher licensure? Not so fast. But do take a look at the proposal to allow substitutions for some of the state-specific requirements for a license.

The proposed amendments to 603 CMR 7.00 include both a number of technical edits, the exciting parts of the proposed changes (yes, we said EXCITING!) are the sections that will add new pathways for meeting the academic educator license application requirements. The proposed amendments will implement Section 300(d) of the Economic Development Bill. These proposed new options will not actually “waive” any requirements, rather, they will allow candidates to use alternative pathways to substitute one of traditional standardized test options.

Public comment is due Tuesday January 20, 2026 at 5:00pm.

Comments can be submitted:

• Online by using the DESE survey tool (scroll down for a preview of the survey tool)
• By email to EducatorPreparation@mass.gov 
• By mail to:
  Regulations Public Comment
  c/o Commissioner’s Office
  Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
  135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149

Who will these changes benefit?
Any candidate for licensure may be eligible to select one of the alternative pathways.
For example (and if approved as drafted) candidates in traditional teacher preparation programs may elect to apply their preparation program completion towards a Communication and Literacy requirement as a pathway.
Educators from outside of Massachusetts, including those who were trained outside of the United States may be eligible for a portfolio review for a subject matter knowledge area.
We also know there are many fully trained and experienced teachers working under waivers, Temporary or Emergency licenses who are all-but-one-MTEL away from full licensure and they may be eligible for an alternative pathway.

What are the limitations?
Candidates will be limited to using just one alternative pathway option. So if they choose to substitute the Communications and Literacy MTEL with an alternative pathway then they will be required to complete all other MTEL requirements.

Will Massachusetts accept out-of-state license tests?
Not exactly. Applicants who hold an eligible out of state license or passed the test for another state may be eligible for the proposed Subject Matter Portfolio as an alternative pathway.

What is the Subject Matter Portfolio?
The details on the Subject Matter Portfolio are thin in the draft regulations. We expect that the submission and evaluation of the Subject Matter Portfolio will be conducted by a third party vendor. The process will likely allow candidates to assemble a collection of evidence including coursework, test scores and related professional experience to demonstrate mastery of the subject matter knowledge requirements developed under 603 CMR 7.06 for a license field.

What is the difference between the Alternative Assessments and the Alternative Pathways?

Alternative Assessment An alternative test or assessment to one or more of the required tests for an educator license and can be used by an educator licensure candidate to meet licensure requirements. (603 CMR 7.02)

Alternative Pathway (proposed amendments) A pathway to licensure that will allow candidates to waive one of the required tests as part of an application for an educator licensure by demonstrating the knowledge and skills via an accepted alternative demonstration. A candidate may apply one alternative pathway towards a license application.

Wonk Tip: If you think it’s too confusing, suggesting a less-confusing name or description can be included in your public comments!

Here is a rundown of what the proposed options would look like in policy:

	Existing Options: MTELs and approved Alternative Assessments	PROPOSED Alternative Pathways *limit of one option per application
Communications and Literacy	Communications and Literacy MTEL Alternative Assessments for ComLit	Eligible to meet ComLit requirement with ONE of the following: i. Hold eligible out-of-state license/certification ii. Hold a master’s degree or doctorate from an accredited institution iii. Completion of an Approved Preparation Program iv. Completion of two years of School-Based Employment in a Massachusetts school
Subject Matter	Subject Matter MTELs Subject Matter Alternatives: – Ed Prep Attestation – MTEL Flex – Content Alternative Tests	Eligible for Subject Matter Portfolio if: i. Hold eligible out-of-state license/certification ii. Have a passing score on the subject matter knowledge license assessment(s) required by another state iii. Obtained a master’s degree or higher from an accredited institution in the field of the license iv. Completion of an Approved Preparation Program in the field of the license sought v. Completion of two years of School-Based Employment in the field of the license sought in a Massachusetts school.
Foundations of Reading Reading Specialist	Foundations of Reading MTEL Reading Specialist MTEL	Proposed amendments will prohibit the Foundations of Reading and Reading Specialist MTEL from the Alternative Pathways.
Competency Review (for subjects with no current MTEL subject test available)	See guidelines for Competency Review Guide and Forms	Not applicable.

Take a look at the full proposed change to the existing regulations:

Public Comment Survey Question Preview