If you have any questions regarding the Infield Status Procedure, please email InfieldStatus@leonschools.net
When using the Infield Status Procedure, all required documents should be attached and submitted together in one email to InfieldStatus@leonschools.net no later than April 15th, 2026.
Rule 6A-1.0503, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), and 1012.42., Florida Statute, (F.S.) guide requirements for educators that are teaching a course or a subject area for which they are out-of-field (OOF) or not currently certified. These laws state that teachers can only be OOF for one school year without reaching certain requirements. To remain OOF for an additional year, teachers have options. One option is to complete 6 hours of college coursework in the subject area in which they are teaching OOF. Another option is to earn infield status through two options - teachers can pass the subject area exam and add it to their certificate, or document 100 points using the Leon County Schools Infield Status Rubric.
One of the three methods must be completed prior to the end of April in the school year in which a teacher was placed OOF. The teacher must continue to complete OOF training each school year or have passed the subject area exam and added it to the educator certification, or have met the criteria on the LCS Infield Status Rubric (where applicable). Only passing the subject area exam and adding it to a certificate, OR submission of an approved in-field rubric (where applicable) will completely close the out-of-field record for the subject area. Note that failure to comply could impact a teacher’s future school and or teaching placement/assignments up to including non-renewal of a teaching contract.
The school is required to notify the parent of a child who is being instructed by a teacher with an OOF teaching assignment. If a teacher obtains a certificate reflecting the OOF subject area (for those who pass the subject area exam and add the subject to their certificate), they are required to notify Human Resources. Human Resources will then close the OOF record, and the teacher will be in field.
Option 1 – College Coursework
Completion of six semester hours of college coursework in the subject area. Enrolling in an institution that provides coursework opportunities is up to the teacher. Covering the cost of tuition is not provided by Leon County Schools.
NOTE: Completion of six semester hours of college credit will serve only to meet state-mandated training for the current school year; you will be required to again satisfy out-of-field training during subsequent school years.
This option does not gain you in-field status – but it does allow you to remain OOF for another year.
Option 2 — Passing the Subject Area Exam
One method to become in-field is to take the subject area exam, pass the exam, and pay to add the exam to your certification. The cost of the exam and the cost to add the subject area to your current certification is not covered by Leon County Schools. For information regarding registering for subject area exams – visit https://www.fl.nesinc.com/
Once you have passed an exam – visit the Leon County School’s Human Resources Certification website for directions to add the subject area to your existing certificate. Scroll to the “Adding Subjects and Endorsements” section of this website. https://www.leonschools.net/Page/56598 The teacher must pay to add the subject area to their existing certification to become in-field for that subject area. No money is saved by waiting to add a certification area to a current valid certificate when the application for renewal is submitted and/or your initial professional certificate. Teachers are urged to apply immediately for the addition.
Option 3 — Leon County Schools District Infield Status Rubric
School Board Policy 3120 establishes the infield designation option for teachers OOF in bachelor-level subject areas who hold a valid certificate from the Department of Education. Teachers may use the Infield Status Rubric to demonstrate subject area expertise in a subject area that is not on their current certificate. A minimum of 100 points must be achieved on the rubric to earn infield status. This pathway does not gain teachers an additional certification – it only provides in-field status while working for Leon County Schools. Using this pathway towards in-field status is of no cost to the teacher – but if you use college coursework or professional learning opportunities to earn points on your rubric – those costs are the responsibility of the teacher. When using the Infield Status Procedure, all required documents should be attached and submitted together in one email to InfieldStatus@leonschools.net no later than April 15th, 2026.
Leon County Schools is offering a pathway for in-field status for the following subject areas:
- Agriculture 6-12 (CTE Form)
- Elementary Education K-6
- Middle Grades Math 5-9
- Math 6-12
- Biology 6-12
- Chemistry 6-12
- Earth/Space Science 6-12
- English 6-12
- Middle Grade Science 5-9
- Middle Grades Social Studies 5-9
- Physics 6-12
- Social Science 6-12
- Health K-12
- Physical Education K-12
- Art K-12
- Business Education 6-12 (CTE Form)
- Computer Science K-12 (CTE Form)
- Drama 6-12
- Engineering and Technology Education 6-12 (CTE Form)
- Family and Consumer Science 6-12 (CTE Form)
- Marketing 6-12 (CTE Form)
- Music K-12
Refer to the Infield Status Rubric form below for each subject area for further directions and requirements.
It is strongly recommended that teachers submit documentation as early as possible, in case modifications are needed or if it is not approved. If approval is not granted, a teacher will either need to take 6 credits in college coursework in the subject area or pass the subject area examination and add the subject area to the certificate.
