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A license is required in order to serve in a certified position in an Oregon public school district or Educational Service District (ESD). The state of Oregon has a three-tier certification system. The ‘standard’ educator license in Oregon is the Professional Teaching License. Most new teachers begin the certification process with a Preliminary or Reciprocal Teacher License (the first tier). The Professional Teaching License (the second tier) is issued to experienced teachers who have successfully demonstrated an advanced level of educator knowledge and skills. The highest certification tier is the Teacher Leader License, which is issued to professional teachers who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in the school environment, education profession and the larger community by submitting a portfolio of current leadership practices. The Oral Proficiency Assessments (including OPI and OPIc), which are offered by American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), are required for the Bilingual Specialization and the Dual Language Specialization. For additional information about certification, please, consult the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission.