State Laws
Homeschool Laws Disclaimer
The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only and is intended as a starting point for families researching homeschooling requirements. Homeschool laws and regulations change periodically and may vary based on your specific circumstances.
Learning Locker does not provide legal advice and cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided. Before withdrawing your child from school or beginning a homeschool program, always verify the current requirements with your state's Department of Education, local school district, or other appropriate government agency.
By using this resource, you acknowledge that it is your responsibility to comply with all applicable state and local homeschooling laws.
| State | Basic Homeschool Requirements | Official State Information |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Families generally homeschool through a church school, private school, or private-tutor option. The required steps depend on the option selected. | Alabama Homeschool Information |
| Alaska | Parents may educate their children at home without notifying the state, filing forms, testing, or meeting teacher-qualification requirements when operating independently. | Alaska Statutes: Education |
| Arizona | File a notarized Affidavit of Intent with the county school superintendent. Instruction must include reading, grammar, math, social studies, and science. | Arizona Homeschool Information |
| Arkansas | Submit a Notice of Intent to homeschool each school year through the Arkansas Department of Education. | Arkansas Home Schools |
| California | Families may establish a private school, enroll in a private school satellite program, use a credentialed tutor, or participate in a public charter or independent-study program. | California Schooling at Home |
| Colorado | Submit a notice of intent to a Colorado school district, teach required subjects, maintain records, and complete required evaluations or testing. Other legal options are also available. | Colorado Home School |
| Connecticut | Parents may provide equivalent instruction at home. The state provides suggested procedures, including filing a Notice of Intent with the local school district. | Connecticut Homeschooling |
| Delaware | Families must register a homeschool with the Delaware Department of Education and report enrollment and attendance information. | Delaware Nonpublic Schools |
| Florida | Submit a Notice of Intent to the county superintendent, maintain a portfolio, and complete an annual educational evaluation. | Florida Home Education |
| Georgia | Submit an annual Declaration of Intent, teach required subjects for at least 180 days, and complete standardized testing at designated grade levels. | Georgia Home Study Program |
| Hawaii | Submit Form 4140 or a letter of intent to the local public school. Parents must keep records and provide required progress reports. | Hawaii Homeschooling |
| Idaho | Idaho does not generally require homeschool registration or state approval. Parents must provide instruction in subjects commonly taught in Idaho public schools. | Idaho Homeschool Information |
| Illinois | Homeschools are treated as private schools. Instruction must cover required branches of education and be taught in English. Registration is voluntary. | Illinois Homeschooling |
| Indiana | Homeschools are considered nonpublic, nonaccredited schools. Families must provide instruction for the required number of days and maintain attendance records. | Indiana Homeschool Information |
| Iowa | Iowa provides several home-education options with different filing, supervision, assessment, and reporting requirements. | Iowa Home Schooling |
| Kansas | Register the homeschool once as a nonaccredited private school and provide instruction for a period substantially equivalent to public schools. | Kansas Nonaccredited Private Schools |
| Kentucky | Notify the local superintendent in writing each school year, maintain attendance and scholarship reports, and teach required subjects in English. | Kentucky Home School |
| Louisiana | Families may use the Home Study Program or operate as a nonpublic school not seeking state approval. Each option has separate filing requirements. | Louisiana Home Study |
| Maine | File an initial notice with the state and local superintendent, submit annual letters, teach required subjects, and complete annual assessments. | Maine Home Instruction |
| Maryland | Sign a statement of consent with the local school system or approved supervising organization and maintain a portfolio for review. | Maryland Home Instruction |
| Massachusetts | Homeschool programs generally require advance approval from the local school district. Requirements may vary by district. | Massachusetts Homeschooling Information |
| Michigan | Parents may homeschool under the home-school option or operate as a nonpublic school. Required subjects must be taught. | Michigan Home School Information |
| Minnesota | Submit required reporting forms to the local superintendent, provide instruction in required subjects, maintain records, and complete annual testing. | Minnesota Home School |
| Mississippi | Submit a Certificate of Enrollment annually to the local school attendance officer. | Mississippi School Attendance |
| Missouri | No state registration is generally required. Families must maintain instructional records and meet subject and instructional-hour requirements. | Missouri Home School |
| Montana | Notify the county superintendent annually, maintain attendance and immunization records, meet instructional-hour requirements, and teach required subjects. | Montana Home School |
| Nebraska | File for exempt-school status and submit required information to the Nebraska Department of Education. | Nebraska Exempt Schools |
| Nevada | Submit a one-time Notice of Intent and an educational plan to the local school district. | Nevada Homeschool |
| New Hampshire | Notify a participating agency, maintain a portfolio, and complete an annual evaluation. | New Hampshire Home Education |
| New Jersey | Parents may provide equivalent instruction elsewhere than at school. The state does not generally require approval or routine registration. | New Jersey Homeschooling |
| New Mexico | Notify the Public Education Department within 30 days of beginning and renew annually. The instructor must meet minimum education requirements. | New Mexico Home Schools |
| New York | Submit a Letter of Intent, Individualized Home Instruction Plan, quarterly reports, and annual assessments to the local school district. | New York Home Instruction |
| North Carolina | File a Notice of Intent with the Division of Non-Public Education, maintain attendance and immunization records, and administer annual standardized testing. | North Carolina Home School |
| North Dakota | File a statement of intent with the local superintendent, meet parent-qualification requirements, teach required subjects, and follow applicable testing rules. | North Dakota Home Education |
| Ohio | Notify the local school district superintendent and provide instruction that complies with Ohio’s home-education requirements. | Ohio Home Education |
| Oklahoma | The state constitution recognizes homeschooling. No state registration or approval is generally required, but instruction should be provided in good faith. | Oklahoma School Choice |
| Oregon | Notify the local education service district, complete required testing at designated grade levels, and follow additional rules when applicable. | Oregon Homeschooling |
| Pennsylvania | Submit a notarized affidavit or unsworn declaration, maintain a portfolio, meet subject and instructional requirements, complete testing, and obtain an annual evaluation. | Pennsylvania Home Education |
| Rhode Island | Obtain approval from the local school committee and comply with local attendance, subject, and instructional requirements. | Rhode Island Home School |
| South Carolina | Families may homeschool through the local school district, the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools, or an approved accountability association. | South Carolina Homeschooling |
| South Dakota | Submit a standard notification form and provide instruction in required subjects. Additional testing provisions may apply. | South Dakota Alternative Instruction |
| Tennessee | Families may register as an independent home school, enroll through a church-related umbrella school, or use an accredited online school. | Tennessee Home School |
| Texas | Homeschools operate as private schools. Instruction must be bona fide, use a written curriculum, and cover required subjects. | Texas Homeschool Information |
| Utah | Submit a homeschool affidavit to the local school district. The district provides an exemption certificate. | Utah Home School |
| Vermont | Enroll annually with the Agency of Education and submit required information concerning the minimum course of study. | Vermont Home Study |
| Virginia | File a Notice of Intent under the home-instruction statute, qualify under an approved option, provide required information, and submit annual evidence of progress. | Virginia Home Instruction |
| Washington | File an annual Declaration of Intent, meet parent-qualification requirements, teach required subjects, and complete annual testing or assessment. | Washington Home-Based Instruction |
| West Virginia | Submit a notice to the county superintendent, provide required assurance and instructor qualifications, and complete assessments at designated grade levels. | West Virginia Home School |
| Wisconsin | Submit the PI-1206 form annually, provide at least 875 instructional hours, and offer a sequential curriculum in required subject areas. | Wisconsin Home-Based Private Education |
| Wyoming | Submit a curriculum to the local school district each year and provide a basic academic educational program. | Wyoming Home School |