I'm not sure I would reject anyone out of hand for something like this unless I had an excessive number of applicants to review and needed cheap ways to cut that number down.

This is certainly a good way to filter applicants out, but, you may miss a good opportunity as well. I hired an ex-architect with no web design experience at all (and no online portfolio) because she was cheap and had a great attitude. It worked out great for everyone involved. Can't say I'd recommend that for everyone, but it's amazing what can be accomplished by someone with the right attitude in the right environment.