I think the answer regarding the portal is contained in the chart posted by John in another thread:
Hitech 2014 CEHRT Flexibility If you are using the 2011 certified version (Version 6), you can do Stage 1 with 2013 criteria. Portal was added to 2014 criteria, so if you have upgraded to 2014 certified version (Version 7) you will have to have the portal.
