Homeschool Requirements by State

Yes. Parents must file with a church school or establish a private school.

None required for church schools. For private schools, parents must be capable of teaching.

None specified for church schools. Private schools must teach subjects offered in public schools.

Church schools must maintain attendance records. Private schools must keep attendance and academic records.

None required by state law for church schools. Private schools must provide academic instruction.

No. Alaska does not require parents to notify the state of their intent to homeschool.

None required.

None specified.

None required by state law.

None required by state law.

Yes. Parents must file an affidavit of intent with the county school superintendent within 30 days of beginning homeschooling.

None required.

Reading, grammar, mathematics, science, social studies including civics, and the U.S. and Arizona Constitutions.

None required by state law.

None required by state law.

Yes. Parents must submit a Notice of Intent to Homeschool form to the local superintendent by August 15 or 14 days prior to withdrawing from public school.

None required.

None specified, but courses typically taught at public schools are recommended.

Parents should maintain a portfolio of educational activities but are not required to submit it.

Students can take standardized tests through the local school district, but participation is optional.

Yes. Parents must either file a private school affidavit, enroll in a private school satellite program, hire a credentialed tutor, or enroll in a public charter or independent study program.

None required for filing a private school affidavit. If operating as a tutoring option, the parent must have a California teaching credential.

English, mathematics, social sciences, science, fine arts, health, and physical education.

Must maintain attendance records, immunization records (or exemption), and a course of study.

None specified if operating as a private school. Independent study programs may have their own requirements.

Yes. Parents must provide written notification to a school district 14 days before starting homeschooling and annually thereafter.

None required.

Communication skills of reading, writing, and speaking, mathematics, history, civics, literature, science, and regular courses of instruction in the U.S. Constitution.

Must maintain attendance records, test or evaluation results, and immunization records.

Students must take a nationally standardized achievement test or be evaluated by a qualified person in grades 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11.

Yes. Parents are recommended to file a Notice of Intent form, although this is not mandatory by law but by administrative policy.

None required.

Reading, writing, spelling, English grammar, geography, arithmetic, U.S. history, and citizenship (including study of town, state, and federal governments).

None required by state law.

An annual portfolio review with the school district is recommended but not required by law.

Yes. Parents must enroll in a registered homeschool association or multi-family homeschool, or submit an annual report to the Delaware Department of Education.

None required.

None specified by state law.

Must maintain attendance records showing 180 days of instruction covering five hours per day.

None required by state law.

Yes. Parents must submit a notification form to the Office of the State Superintendent of Education.

Parent must have a high school diploma or equivalent.

Language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, health, and physical education.

Must maintain a portfolio of educational materials and provide 180 days of instruction per year.

Annual review of student progress by OSSE staff, which may include portfolio assessment or standardized testing.

Yes. Parents must file a notice of intent with the county superintendent within 30 days of beginning homeschooling.

None required.

None specified by state law.

Must maintain a portfolio of records and materials, including a log of educational activities and samples of work.

Students must be evaluated annually by a Florida certified teacher, take a nationally normed achievement test, or be assessed by other approved methods.

Yes. Parents must submit a declaration of intent annually to the Georgia Department of Education.

Parent must have at least a high school diploma or GED.

Reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science.

Must maintain attendance records and annual progress reports.

Students must take a nationally standardized test every three years, beginning at the end of third grade.

Yes. Parents must submit a notice of intent to homeschool to the local school principal.

None required.

Must be equivalent to the curriculum taught in public schools, including language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and others.

Must maintain a record of planned curriculum.

Students must take standardized tests in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10, or be evaluated by a licensed teacher.

No. Idaho does not require parents to notify the state of their intent to homeschool.

None required.

Must provide instruction in subjects commonly taught in public schools.

None required by state law.

None required by state law.

No. Illinois does not require parents to notify the state of their intent to homeschool.

None required.

Language arts, mathematics, biological and physical sciences, social sciences, fine arts, health and physical development.

None required by state law, but recommended to maintain records of attendance and subjects taught.

None required by state law.

Yes. Parents must enroll their homeschool as a non-accredited private school and report attendance annually.

None required.

Language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, health, safety, physical education, history, and U.S. Constitution.

Must maintain attendance records.

None required by state law.

Yes. Parents have several options, including filing a Competent Private Instruction (CPI) form or Independent Private Instruction (IPI) notice.

None required for IPI option. CPI may require parent to have a teaching license or work with a supervising teacher.

For IPI: reading, language arts, mathematics, science, social studies. For CPI: no specific subjects required.

IPI must keep evidence of immunizations, instructional materials, and lesson plans. CPI requirements vary by option chosen.

Students under CPI must be assessed annually (standardized test, portfolio evaluation, or report by supervising teacher).

Yes. Parents must register their homeschool as a non-accredited private school with the Kansas State Department of Education.

None required.

None specified by state law.

None required by state law.

None required by state law.

Yes. Parents must notify the local school district within the first two weeks of the school year.

None required.

Reading, writing, spelling, grammar, history, mathematics, and civics.

Must maintain attendance records, scholarship reports, and record of subjects taught.

None required by state law.

Yes. Parents must either apply for home study approval or register as a private school.

For home study program, parents must have at least a high school diploma or GED.

Home study programs must provide a sustained curriculum of quality at least equal to public schools.

Must maintain records of attendance and curriculum.

Home study students must take an approved standardized test in grades 4, 8, and 11 or provide other evidence of progress.

Yes. Parents must submit a notice of intent to the local school district and the state department of education.

None required.

English, language arts, math, science, social studies, physical and health education, library skills, fine arts, Maine studies, and computer proficiency.

Must maintain a portfolio of educational materials, including samples of the student's work.

Annual assessment required through standardized test, portfolio review by a certified teacher, or evaluation by a licensed teacher.

Yes. Parents must submit a notice of intent to the local superintendent at least 15 days before starting homeschooling.

None required.

English, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, health, and physical education.

Must maintain a portfolio of materials that demonstrates regular instruction and educational progress.

Portfolio must be reviewed by local school system representatives up to three times per year.

Yes. Parents must submit a homeschool education plan to the local school committee for approval.

Requirements vary by school district.

Reading, writing, English language and grammar, geography, arithmetic, drawing, music, history and Constitution of the United States, duties of citizenship, health, physical education, and good behavior.

Requirements vary by school district.

Requirements vary by school district but typically include standardized tests or periodic progress reports.

No. Michigan does not require parents to notify the state of their intent to homeschool.

None required.

Reading, spelling, mathematics, science, history, civics, literature, writing, and English grammar.

None required by state law.

None required by state law.

Yes. Parents must submit an annual notice to the school district superintendent.

Parents must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent, or be supervised by a qualified person.

Reading, writing, literature, fine arts, math, science, history, geography, government, health, and physical education.

Must maintain documentation of instruction, including class schedules, materials, and sample tests.

Students must take a nationally standardized achievement test annually.

Yes. Parents must submit a certificate of enrollment to the school attendance officer by September 15th each year.

None required.

None specified by state law.

None required by state law.

None required by state law.

No. Missouri does not require notification, but families must maintain records and be prepared to show evidence of homeschooling if asked.

None required.

Reading, math, social studies, language arts, and science.

Must maintain a plan book, diary, or log; samples of work; and a portfolio of academic progress.

None required by state law.

Yes. Parents must notify the county superintendent annually.

None required.

Must provide organized instruction in the subjects required by state law for public schools.

Must maintain attendance and immunization records.

None required by state law.

Yes. Parents must file a Rule 13 Exempt School Program Information Report annually.

None required.

Language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and health.

Must maintain records of attendance and a sequential list of subjects taught.

None required by state law.

Yes. Parents must file a notice of intent with the local school district superintendent one time.

None required.

Must provide equivalent instruction in the core academic subjects.

None required by state law.

None required by state law.

Yes. Parents must notify the commissioner of education, a private school principal, or the local school district superintendent.

None required.

Science, mathematics, language, government, history, health, reading, writing, spelling, U.S. and New Hampshire history, and art and music appreciation.

Must maintain a portfolio of records and materials.

Annual evaluation required by standardized test, portfolio review by a certified teacher, or evaluation by a certified teacher.

No. New Jersey does not require parents to notify the state of their intent to homeschool.

None required.

None specified by law, but must provide instruction "equivalent to that provided in the public schools."

None required by state law, though recommended for personal tracking.

None required by state law.

Yes. Parents must notify the New Mexico Public Education Department within 30 days of establishing a homeschool and by August 1 of each subsequent year.

Parent or instructor must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent.

Reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science.

Must maintain immunization records or a waiver. Though not legally required, maintaining educational records is recommended.

None required by state law.

Yes. Parents must submit a Letter of Intent by July 1 or within 14 days of beginning homeschooling, followed by an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP).

No specific qualifications, but must be a "competent instructor."

Extensive requirements vary by grade level, including English/language arts, math, science, social studies, and more.

Must submit quarterly reports, maintain attendance records (180 days required), and detailed documentation of instruction.

Annual assessment required, alternating between standardized tests and written narrative evaluations.

Yes. Parents must file a one-time Notice of Intent with the North Carolina Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE).

Parent or instructor must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent.

English grammar, reading, spelling, and mathematics.

Must maintain attendance records and immunization records. The homeschool must operate for at least nine calendar months per year.

Must administer a nationally standardized achievement test annually that covers English grammar, reading, spelling, and mathematics.

Yes. Parents must submit a statement of intent to the local school district at least 14 days before beginning homeschooling.

Parent must have at least a high school diploma or GED. Parents without these credentials can homeschool under supervision.

Language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, physical education, and health.

Must maintain academic records for at least two years, including courses taken and assessment records.

Students must take standardized achievement tests in grades 4, 6, 8, and 10. Results must be submitted to the local superintendent.

Yes. Parents must submit an annual notification to the local school district superintendent by August 30 or within five calendar days of beginning homeschooling.

No specific qualifications required.

English language arts, mathematics, science, history, government, and social studies. Health, physical education, and fine arts are also recommended.

Must provide 900 hours of instruction and maintain records showing academic progress.

Annual assessment required through standardized testing or written narrative by a certified teacher.

No. Oklahoma does not require parents to notify any state agency of their intent to homeschool.

None required.

No specific subjects are mandated by state law, though instruction comparable to public schools is recommended.

None required by law, though maintaining attendance for 180 days of instruction is recommended.

None required by state law.

Yes. Parents must submit a one-time notification to their local Education Service District (ESD) within 10 days of beginning homeschooling.

None required.

No specific subjects are mandated by state law, though a well-rounded education is recommended.

None required by state law, though maintaining records of test scores is recommended.

Students must be tested in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10 using a standardized achievement test.

Yes. Parents must file a notarized affidavit and a list of educational objectives annually with the local school district by August 1.

Parent must have at least a high school diploma or GED.

English, math, science, geography, civics, history (U.S. and Pennsylvania), art, music, physical education, and health.

Must maintain a portfolio of the student's work, a log of reading materials, and a portfolio of academic progress.

Students must be evaluated annually by a qualified evaluator (certified teacher, licensed psychologist, or private school teacher). Standardized tests are required in grades 3, 5, and 8.

Yes. Parents must submit a letter of intent to the local school committee and receive approval before beginning homeschooling.

None required, but parents must provide a "thorough and efficient" education.

Reading, writing, geography, arithmetic, U.S. and Rhode Island history, government, health, and physical education.

Must provide 180 days of instruction. Records of attendance, curriculum, and progress are often required by local school districts.

Although not mandated by state law, some local school districts may require an end-of-year report on student progress.

Yes. Parents have three options: enrolling in a state-approved association, enrolling in an association with at least 50 members, or seeking approval directly from the local school board.

Parent must have at least a high school diploma or GED.

Reading, writing, math, science, social studies, and, in grades 7–12, composition and literature.

Must maintain records of subjects taught and a portfolio of student work. A semi-annual report on attendance and progress is required for some options.

Annual testing in reading, writing, and mathematics is required for the local school board option.

Yes. Parents must file a one-time Alternative Instruction Notification with the South Dakota Department of Education and the local school district.

None required. Parents must be able to instruct no more than 22 students.

Must provide instruction in language arts and mathematics.

None required by state law. Maintaining records of attendance, courses, and grades is recommended.

None required by state law.

Yes. Parents must file a Notice of Intent with the local school district. Alternatively, they can enroll in an accredited online school or a church-related umbrella school, which handles the notification.

Parent must have at least a high school diploma or GED for the independent homeschool option.

None specified for independent homeschools, but subjects taught in public schools are recommended.

Must maintain attendance records (180 days of instruction, 4 hours per day) and submit them annually to the school district.

Students must take standardized tests in grades 5, 7, and 9. Test results must be submitted to the local school district.

No. Texas is a low-regulation state and does not require parents to notify the state or local school district of their intent to homeschool.

None required.

Reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics, and good citizenship. The curriculum must be a bona fide course in visual form.

None required by state law. Maintaining records is recommended for college applications or if re-enrolling in public school.

None required by state law.

Yes. Parents must submit an affidavit of intent to homeschool to the local school district board. This is a one-time filing unless the child re-enrolls in public school.

None required.

None specified by state law. The curriculum must be in English.

None required by state law. Recommended for a child who may re-enter the public school system.

None required by state law.

Yes. Parents must submit a Notice of Intent to the Vermont Agency of Education and an individualized home study program plan.

None required.

Reading, writing, math, and other core subjects. The plan must show a "minimum course of study."

Must provide at least 175 days of instruction and submit a progress report to the Agency of Education.

Annual assessment required. Options include a standardized test, a portfolio review by a certified teacher, or a written narrative from the parent.

Yes. Parents must submit a Notice of Intent to the local school division superintendent by August 15 each year. There is also an option for a religious exemption from compulsory attendance.

Parent must have at least a high school diploma or a higher degree, be a certified teacher, or provide evidence of providing an adequate education.

The Notice of Intent must include a curriculum description for each child, covering the core subjects required in public schools.

None specified by state law, but maintaining a portfolio or records of student work is highly recommended.

Annual evaluation required. Options include standardized testing or an evaluation letter from a person licensed to teach in any state or with a master's degree or higher.

Yes. Parents must file an annual Declaration of Intent with the local school district by September 15 or within two weeks of starting a homeschool program.

Parents must have 45 college quarter credits (or semester equivalent), or a Washington teaching certificate, or be approved by the local superintendent as qualified to teach.

Reading, writing, spelling, language, mathematics, science, social studies, history, health, art, and music appreciation.

Must provide at least 1,000 instructional hours per year. Parents must maintain attendance records and a portfolio of student work for one year.

Annual assessment required through a standardized test, portfolio review by a certified teacher, or a written narrative from the parent.

Yes. Parents must file a Notice of Intent to homeschool with the local county superintendent. This notice must include a list of children being homeschooled, proof of parent qualifications, and a statement of subjects to be taught.

Parent must have a high school diploma or equivalent or a post-secondary degree or certificate.

Reading, language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.

Parents should maintain a portfolio of student work and records of attendance and instruction. These records must be available upon request from the superintendent.

Annual assessment required through a standardized test, portfolio review by a certified teacher, or participation in the public school testing program. Test results or evaluations must be submitted in grades 3, 5, 8, and 11.

Yes. Parents must file a Home-Based Private Educational Program Report (PI-1206) annually with the Department of Public Instruction by October 15.

None required.

Sequentially progressive instruction in reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science.

Must provide at least 875 hours of instruction per year. No other record-keeping is required by law.

None required by state law.

Yes. Parents must file a one-time Notice of Intent with the local school district. The notice must include an academic curriculum outline.

None required.

Must include instruction in reading, writing, mathematics, literature, civics, history, and science.

None required by state law.

None required by state law.