Starting Your Homeschool Journey: Requirements to Get Started

How to Start Homeschooling: Find Your State’s Requirements

Homeschooling requirements are controlled at the state level, and vary from state to state, with each jurisdiction having its own set of rules and regulations that must be followed in order for the education provided at home to be officially recognized. These requirements typically cover aspects such as curriculum standards, attendance records, testing procedures, and teacher qualifications. It is crucial for parents who choose to homeschool their children to familiarize themselves with the specific guidelines established by their state’s department of education in order to ensure that their child receives proper credit for their education. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in educational setbacks and potential legal implications.
Please note: This is a simplified summary, and the law in each state has many nuances and may define terms differently. Always confirm with your state’s department of education, as laws can change. You can see a more thorough write up of the law for each state at: www.HSLDA.org

If you are in Washington State – You are in luck!
The Homeschool Supply Co is owned by homeschooling families just like you, and we have an in depth understanding of the laws and the impacts of homeschooling in WA state. If you would like information about homeschooling in our beautiful state, please feel free to reach out to us to talk about homeschool laws and how they apply to your family! We are happy to guide you through the process of getting started. We even have all forms and several handouts handouts to help you get going! You can also check out our upcoming events page to see when we have our “Intro to Homeschooling” event, where you can learn all about homeschooling, ask your questions to an experienced panel, and be encouraged as your start your journey!

Homeschooling Requirements by State

Select a State to see its requirements

Alabama

Alabama’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Submit a signed enrollment form to the local superintendent.
2. Maintain attendance records for each homeschooled child.
3. Ensure that the instructor has a high school diploma or GED.
4. Keep immunization records up-to-date as required by state law.

Find out more at HSLDA

Alaska

Alaska’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. No requirements, depending on homeschooling track selection

Find out more at HSLDA

Arizona

Arizona’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Submit an affidavit of intent to homeschool to the county school superintendent within 30 days of starting a homeschool program.
2. Provide instruction in at least the subjects of reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies, and science.
3. Maintain educational records and documentation of attendance for each homeschooled child.
4. Ensure that the instructor has at least a high school diploma or its equivalent.

Find out more at HSLDA

Arkansas

Arkansas’ requirements can be summarized as:

1. Submit a Notice of Intent to Homeschool form to the local school district annually.

Find out more at HSLDA

California

Most California homeschoolers comply by filing a Private School Affidavit (PSA) with the California Department of Education (filed annually; statutory window usually Oct 1–15 though CDE accepts filings earlier). Filing a PSA registers the home as a private school; it does not require parents to hold teaching credentials. Families should read the CDE guidance on PSA filing and keep required records.

California’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. File a Private School Affidavit (PSA) with the California Department of Education between October 1 and October 15 each year.
2. Provide instruction in specific subjects including English, math, social studies, science, and health.
3. Maintain attendance records for each homeschooled child.
4. Ensure that the instructor holds a valid credential for the grade level being taught or is working with a certified tutor.

Find out more at HSLDA

Colorado

Colorado’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Submit a notice of intent to establish a home-based education program to the local school district.
2. Provide instruction in reading, writing, math, history, civics, literature, and science.
3. Maintain attendance records and submit an annual progress report if requested by the school district.
4. Ensure that the instructor has at least a high school diploma or its equivalent.
5. Administer standardized tests in grades 3, 5, 7, 9.

Find out more at HSLDA

Connecticut

Connecticut’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Submit a written notice of intent to homeschool to the local superintendent of schools.
2. Teach specific subjects including reading, writing, spelling, grammar, geography, arithmetic, US history and citizenship education.
3. Maintain attendance records and a portfolio of each student’s work for at least two years.
Some of these requirements may be optional.

Find out more at HSLDA

Delaware

Delaware’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Submit an affidavit of intent to homeschool to the local school district.
2. Maintain attendance records for each homeschooled child.
3. Ensure that the instructor has at least a high school diploma or its equivalent.

Find out more at HSLDA

Florida

Parents must file a Letter of Intent with the local district (within 30 days of beginning home education) and provide an annual evaluation of the student’s progress. Florida requires creation and retention of a portfolio documenting instruction and student work. Florida’s homeschool statute centers on portfolio + annual evaluation rather than a universal 180-day attendance rule used by public schools; check the statute (F.S. 1002.41) and local district procedure for exact timelines and evaluation options.

Florida’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Submit a notice of intent to establish a home education program to the local school district superintendent.
2. Provide instruction in specific subjects including reading, writing, math, science, and social studies.
3. Maintain a portfolio of educational records and materials for each homeschooled child.
4. Conduct an annual educational evaluation through a standardized test or other assessment approved by the state.
5. Keep attendance records documenting days of instruction.

Find out more at HSLDA

Georgia

Georgia’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Submit an annual declaration of intent to homeschool.
2. Provide instruction in specific subjects including math, language arts, science, social studies, and reading.
3. Maintain attendance records for each homeschooled child.
4. Ensure that the instructor has a high school diploma or GED.
5. Administer standardized tests every three years starting in the third grade.

Find out more at HSLDA

Hawaii

Hawaii’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. File a notice of intent to homeschool with the Hawaii Department of Education.
2. Submit an annual progress report
3. Maintain attendance records.
4. Teach subjects required by the state, including language arts, math, social studies, science, and health.

Find out more at HSLDA

Idaho

Idaho’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Provide instruction in subjects as laid out by the state laws.

Find out more at HSLDA

Illinois

Illinois’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Provide instruction in core subjects such as language arts, math, science, social studies, and physical education.
2. Ensure that the primary instructor holds at least a high school diploma or its equivalent.

Find out more at HSLDA

Indiana

Indiana’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Provide 180 days of instruction per year.
2. Teach language arts, math, social studies, science, and fine arts.
3. Maintain attendance records.

Find out more at HSLDA

Iowa

Iowa’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. File a Competent Private Instruction (CPI) form with the local school district.
2. Provide instruction in the basic skills of reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science.
3. Conduct an annual assessment to evaluate student progress.
4. Keep records of immunization and health screenings for each homeschooled student.

Find out more at HSLDA

Kansas

Kansas’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Register your school with the state as the law requires.
2. Teach subjects commonly taught in public schools, including math, language arts, science, social studies, and physical education.
3. Maintain records of attendance and academic progress.
4. Assess student progress annually through a standardized test or evaluation by a qualified individual.

Find out more at HSLDA

Kentucky

Kentucky’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Submit a Letter of Intent to the local school district.
2. Provide instruction in English grammar, spelling, reading, writing, mathematics, science, civics, and history.
3. Maintain records of attendance and academic progress.
4. Teach for the required number of days

Find out more at HSLDA

Louisiana

Louisiana’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Parents must provide 180 days of instruction per year.
2. Subjects required to be taught include math, English, science, and social studies.
3. Parents must submit an annual letter of intent to homeschool to the Louisiana Department of Education.
4. Standardized testing is required in grades 3, 5, 6, 7, and 9.

Find out more at HSLDA

Maine

Maine’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Parents must provide a sequential educational program that includes math, English, social studies, science, health education, physical education, library skills, fine arts, computer proficiency, and Maine studies.
2. Instruction must be given annually for 175 days.
3. Parents must submit an annual letter of intent to homeschool to the Maine Department of Education.
4. Standardized testing is not required but may be requested by the superintendent of schools.

Find out more at HSLDA

Maryland

Maryland’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Parents must provide regular, thorough instruction in the studies usually taught in public schools to children of the same age.
2. Instruction must be given for a minimum of 180 days each school year.
3. Parents must submit an annual notification of consent to homeschool to the local school system.
4. Maintain a portfolio of educational materials

Find out more at HSLDA

Massachusetts

Massachusetts’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Parents must provide instruction in the same subjects required to be taught in public schools.
2. Instruction must be given for at least 180 days each year.
3. Parents must submit an educational plan outlining their homeschooling goals and methods to the local school district, along with a notice of intent
4. Complete periodic standardized tests or evaluations

Find out more at HSLDA

Michigan

Michigan’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Parents must provide an organized educational program that includes reading, spelling, mathematics, science, history, civics, literature, writing, and English grammar.
2. Instruction must be given for at least 180 days each school year.

Find out more at HSLDA

Minnesota

Minnesota’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Parents must provide instruction in a variety of subjects, including reading, writing, literature, fine arts, math, science, history, geography, government, health, physical education, and citizenship.
2. Parents must notify the local school district of their intent to homeschool annually.
3. Standardized testing is required annually in grades 3-8 and once in high school.

Find out more at HSLDA

Mississippi

Mississippi’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Parents must submit an annual certificate of enrollment to the local school attendance officer.

Find out more at HSLDA

Missouri

Missouri law for private instruction commonly requires families to provide a specified number of instructional hours (for example, many programs reference a 1,000-hour year with at least 600 hours in basic subjects) and to maintain attendance and academic records; however, applicability and exact counts can vary by program type. Families should consult the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education or a homeschool legal resource for precise guidance.

Missouri’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Parents must provide at least 1,000 hours of instruction during the school year, with at least 600 hours in the basics such as reading, math, science, language arts, and social studies.
2. Parents must maintain records of attendance and submit a plan of instruction to the local school district upon request.

Find out more at HSLDA

Montana

Montana’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Parents must provide a basic education including language arts, math, social studies, science, health, arts, and career education.
2. Instruction must be given for at least 720 – 1,080 hours per school fiscal year.
3. Parents must submit an annual notification of intent to homeschool to the county superintendent of schools.

Find out more at HSLDA

Nebraska

Nebraska’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Parents must provide a sequential curriculum of instruction in the subjects of reading, writing, math, science, and social studies.
2. Instruction must be given for at least 1,080 hours each school year.
3. Parents must submit an annual statement of intent to homeschool to the local school district.

Find out more at HSLDA

Nevada

Nevada’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. File a notice of intent to homeschool.
2. Instruction must be equivalent to public schools, including the subjects: English, math, science, and social studies.

Find out more at HSLDA

New Hampshire

New Hampshire’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Parents must notify the local school district of their intent to homeschool.
2. Students must be taught the required subjects such as: science, mathematics, language, government, history, health, reading, writing, spelling, and fine arts.
3. Provide an annual portfolio of student work or evaluation by a certified teacher.
4. Standardized testing is required annually

Find out more at HSLDA

New Jersey

New Jersey’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Submit a Notice of Intent to the local school district.
2. Provide instruction in specific subjects including language arts, math, science, social studies, and health.
3. Keep attendance records and submit an annual progress assessment.

Find out more at HSLDA

New Mexico

New Mexico’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Submit a letter of intent to homeschool to the local school district.
2. Provide instruction in the required subjects, including reading, language arts, math, social studies, and science.
3. Teach for the required number of days (typically 180 days)

Find out more at HSLDA

New York

New York’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Submit an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) to the local school district.
2. Provide instruction in specific subjects, including math, reading, writing, science, social studies, and patriotism, and comply with day, hour, and subject requirements
3. Keep attendance records and submit quarterly reports of student progress.
4. Assess your student annually with standardized tests.

Find out more at HSLDA

North Carolina

North Carolina’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Parents must file a Notice of Intent to homeschool with the North Carolina Division of Non-Public Education.
2. Provide the required days of instruction by operating for at least nine calendar months each year.
3. Keep attendance records and administer a nationally standardized achievement test annually.

Find out more at HSLDA

North Dakota

North Dakota’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Parents must notify the local school district of their intent to homeschool.
2. Provide an annual statement of assurance regarding educational objectives and testing.
3. Instruction must include language arts, math, social studies, science, and health.
4. Issue standardized tests bi-annually if applicable.

Find out more at HSLDA

Ohio

Ohio’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Parents must notify the local school district of their intent to homeschool.
2. Provide instruction including specific subjects like language, math, science, history, government, and social studies.

Find out more at HSLDA

Oklahoma

Oklahoma’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. A homeschool must be operated for 180 days.

Find out more at HSLDA

Oregon

Oregon’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Parents must register with a homeschool education service district.
2. Provide annual assessments of student progress in specific subjects, including math, language arts, science, and social studies.
3. Keep attendance records and submit an educational plan.

Find out more at HSLDA

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Parents must submit a notarized affidavit to the school district superintendent each year.
2. Students must receive instruction in certain subjects, including math, language arts, and science.
3. Standardized testing or evaluation is required to assess student’s performance
4. The homeschool program must operate for at least 180 days per school year.

Find out more at HSLDA

Rhode Island

Rhode Island’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Parents must submit an annual notice of intent to homeschool to the school district superintendent.
2. Homeschooling parents must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
3. Students must receive instruction in certain subjects, such as math, reading, writing, science, and civics.
4. Students must be taught for the number of days as public schools, 180 days

Find out more at HSLDA

South Carolina

South Carolina’s requirements can be summarized as: To be qualified to homeschool, one must meet the requirements in one of three ways:

1. Parents must have a high school diploma or GED.
2. A homeschool association must approve the homeschooling program.
3. Students must receive instruction in certain subjects, including math, science, social studies, and language arts.

Students must be taught for 180 days out of the year, and records must be kept of academic progress.

Find out more at HSLDA

South Dakota

South Dakota’s requirements can be summarized as:
State law provides three legal homeschooling options (Option 1, Option 2, Option 3). Each option has different oversight and record-keeping rules: Option 1 is district-sponsored and requires district approval; Options 2 and 3 involve independent associations or enrollment in certain approved organizations and have different testing/notification requirements. Do not assume a single set of requirements for all SC homeschoolers — confirm which option a family will use and follow that option’s specific rules. (See SC Dept. of Education for details.)

Find out more at HSLDA

Tennessee

Tennessee’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Parents must have a high school diploma or equivalent, and submit a notice of intent.
2. Homeschooling families must maintain attendance records and submit them for review if requested.
3. Students must receive instruction in math, language arts, science, social studies, and health.
4. Standardized testing is required in grades 5, 7, and 9.

Find out more at HSLDA

Texas

Texas’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Parents must notify the local school district of their intent to homeschool.
2. Curriculum must include good citizenship, math, reading, spelling, grammar, and a study of good character and work habits.
3. Standardized testing is not required for homeschooled students in Texas.

Find out more at HSLDA

Utah

Utah’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Parents must submit a notarized affidavit to the local school district.
2. Homeschooling parents must have a high school diploma or equivalent.

Find out more at HSLDA

Vermont

Vermont’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Parents must submit a written enrollment notice to the state department of education.
2. Homeschooling parents must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
3. Students must receive instruction in certain subjects, including reading, writing, math, history, physical education, fine arts, and science.
4. Standardized testing must be taken and recorded annually.

Find out more at HSLDA

Virginia

Virginia’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Parents must provide evidence of a high school diploma or higher education.
2. Homeschooling parents must submit an annual notice of intent to the local school district.
3. Students must receive instruction in certain subjects, such as math, language arts, science, history, and social studies.
4. Standardized testing is required annually for homeschooled students starting at age 6.

Find out more at HSLDA

Washington

Washington’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Parents must file a declaration of intent to homeschool with the local school district annually, when their child is age 8 or older.
2. There are 3 main ways to meet the qualifications to homeschool in WA state: Complete a parent qualifying course, have earned at least 45 quarter credits of college-level coursework, or hire a certified teacher to supervise the instruction.
3. Students must receive instruction in certain subjects, including math, science, language arts, social studies, history, health, and art and music appreciation- these subjects may be studied at any time and at any length during their home instruction.
4. Standardized testing is required annually for each student over the age of 8.

Find out more at HSLDA

West Virginia

West Virginia’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Submit a Notice of Intent to Homeschool form to the county superintendent.
2. Provide evidence of educational progress annually such as standardized test scores or an academic assessment.
3. Teach subjects including reading, language, mathematics, science, and social studies.

Find out more at HSLDA

Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Submit a homeschool report to the local school district administrator.
2. Provide at least 875 hours of instruction each school year covering subjects like reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science.
3. Maintain records of attendance and academic progress for each student.

Find out more at HSLDA

Wyoming

Wyoming’s requirements can be summarized as:

1. Submit a Letter of Intent to homeschool to the local school district.
2. Submit curriculum to the public school district for evaluation, and teach the required subjects of reading, writing, math, civics, history, literature, and science.

Find out more at HSLDA

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