Updated May 21, 2026
Who is eligible to waive the Communication and Literacy Skills (C&L) test?
Any aspiring or currently employed educator seeking licensure who meets one of the four requirements to waive the C&L test:
How do I apply to waive the C&L test and is there a fee to apply for the C&L waiver?
There is no cost to apply for the Communication and Literacy Skills (C&L) waiver. Educators and candidates for licensure can apply for the C&L waiver via ELAR and when doing so, they will select from one of the four pathways that apply to them. The Licensure Office will review the request and look for the supporting evidence applicable to the pathway selected prior to granting the "waiver."
When will this be available?
For the C&L waiver, the Licensure Office anticipates being able to offer this option within about two weeks (by May 14, 2026) from Board approval.
Does a foreign degree count?
For the C&L waiver, the graduate degree earned outside of the United States (U.S.), the language of instruction must be in English.
To determine if a foreign degree is equivalent to a U.S degree, a foreign degree equivalency report is necessary. There are a variety of agencies approved by DESE and these agencies have a variety of services that they offer. If you are seeking a C&L "waiver", please be sure to seek a review that includes information regarding the language of instruction.
If I utilized this new pathway for the C&L test for a teacher license and I later want to obtain an administrator license, will I need to pass the C&L MTEL?
No, if you receive a C&L "waiver" via this new pathway, the C&L requirement is considered to have been met for every application where a passing score on that test is required. Satisfying the C&L requirement can be applied to multiple applications.
Are there any other licensure tests that can be waived?
No, the Communication & Literacy Skills test is the only test that can be waived via the Alternative Licensure Pathway.
If in the future, a similar provision is developed for subject matter licensure tests, could I use these pathways to waive both the C&L test and a subject matter test or multiple subject matter tests?
No, per the legislation authorizing the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to develop this new pathway, only one test can be "waived."
However, an eligible applicant could waive the C&L test and choose to use an Alternative Assessment to satisfy the subject matter testing requirements. There is no limit on how many Alternative Assessments can be used.
I heard there are additional alternative assessments to the MTEL, is this the same thing as the new alternative licensure pathway and is there a limit on using an alternative licensure assessment?
No, these are two separate routes to satisfy the licensure requirements. The new alternative licensure pathway allows you to waiver the C&L test based on meeting one of the four requirements outlined in question #1. The Alternative Assessments are alternatives to the MTEL and are available for both the C&L test and many subject matter tests. There is no limit on how many times an Alternative Assessment can be used.
How long will this new pathway be available?
This pathway will be available for three years, during which time the Department will conduct an independent evaluation of its efficacy, similar to the evaluation of the alternative assessment pilot. By June 30, 2029, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education will determine whether to continue this pathway based on the results of the evaluation.
Can I use the two years of experience in an instructional role option if I am pursuing a professional support license such as School Counselor or School Nurse?
Yes, this new pathway is available for all educator candidates and experience in the role of the license sought is acceptable.
I passed the reading part Communication and Literacy Skills test but not the writing part, can I utilize this new alternative licensure pathway?
So long as you satisfy one of the four requirements listed in question #1, yes, you can pursue this new pathway. There is nothing that would exclude a candidate from pursuing this pathway such as having passed part of the test or having failed the test.
I have one year of experience as a paraprofessional in Holyoke and am now in my first year in the same role in Chicopee, will that experience satisfy the requirements for the C&L waiver?
There are two reasons this experience would not count. First, you must accumulate two years of full-time experience in the same district in order for the appropriate administrator to attest to your experience and the objectives of the Communication and Literacy Skills test. Your experience can be in two or more schools in the same district but can't be in more than one district. Second, you must have two (or more) years of experience, not be in your second year of employment.
May charter school staff utilize the alternative pathway for licensure?
The alternative pathway for licensure is available to all charter school staff (administrators, teachers, and student support personnel) applying for DESE licensure. Charter school teachers may not waive the Communication and Literacy test found in the alternative pathway for licensure to meet the specific requirements of the charter school statute and regulations. Teachers without a DESE license at Commonwealth charter schools must pass a communication and literacy test and a subject matter knowledge test (MTEL or alternative test) within their first year of employment in a teaching role at a charter school, under 603 CMR 7.04(2)(f). If staff members earn a DESE license appropriate to their role at the school (through any pathway), they meet the specific requirements of the charter school statute and regulations.