Homeschool requirements, state by state.

Alabama is a low-regulation state. Most families homeschool under the church school or private school option, with minimal reporting and no state testing.

Alaska has essentially no homeschool requirements: no notice, no testing, no required subjects, and no parent qualifications under the homeschool statute.

Arizona is low-regulation: file a one-time affidavit of intent with your county school superintendent, cover a short list of core subjects, and you are set. No testing, no annual renewal.

Arkansas is low-regulation: file a notice of intent with your local superintendent, and that is essentially it. Mandatory standardized testing was eliminated years ago.

California is moderately regulated: most independent homeschoolers file an annual Private School Affidavit and keep attendance records, but there is no state testing or curriculum approval for private homeschools.

Colorado is moderately regulated: annual written notice 14 days before starting, a required subject list, attendance expectations, and testing or evaluation at certain grade levels.

Connecticut is low-regulation in practice: the law requires equivalent instruction in certain subjects, while the state's notice-of-intent and portfolio-review procedures are guidance that most families treat as voluntary.

Delaware is low-regulation: homeschools operate as nonpublic schools that report enrollment and attendance to the state each year, with no testing, subject mandates, or curriculum approval.

Florida is moderately regulated: file a notice of intent, keep a portfolio of work, and complete an annual evaluation of your choice. An umbrella (private) school enrollment is a popular alternative with different rules.

Georgia is moderately regulated: file an annual declaration of intent with the state, teach five required subjects, write a yearly progress report, and test every three years starting in grade 3 — results stay with you.

Hawaii is moderately regulated: notify your local public school before starting, keep records of your program, and submit an annual progress report, with standardized test scores expected at certain grade checkpoints.

Idaho is one of the freest states: no notice, no registration, no testing, and no reporting. The single expectation is instructing your child in subjects commonly taught in Idaho public schools.

Illinois is low-regulation: homeschools operate as private schools with no registration or testing, provided children are taught the required branches of education in English.

Indiana is low-regulation: homeschools operate as private schools with no registration or testing. Keep attendance records and provide instruction for the same number of days as public schools.

Iowa is low-regulation with two main paths: Independent Private Instruction (no reporting at all) and Competent Private Instruction (optional filing, with district-supported programs available).

Kansas is low-regulation: homeschools register once as non-accredited private schools (just a name and address), with no testing, no reporting, and no curriculum oversight.

Kentucky is low-regulation: homeschools operate as private schools that send a brief annual notification letter to the local superintendent and keep attendance and grade records at home — no testing, no submissions.

Louisiana requires you to pick one of two legal routes and file paperwork each year, but neither route involves heavy state oversight day to day.

Maine asks for a notice when you start, an annual letter after that, a set list of subjects, and a yearly assessment — structured but very doable.

Maryland requires a notification form and periodic portfolio reviews by your county — or you can enroll under an umbrella program and be reviewed by them instead.

Massachusetts is one of the most regulated states: you need advance approval of your education plan from your local school district before you begin.

Michigan requires no notice, no testing, and no reporting for homeschoolers — just instruction in a set of core subjects at home.

Minnesota requires an initial report to your district, a short annual letter after that, required subjects, and a yearly standardized test whose results stay with you.

Mississippi asks for one thing: a certificate of enrollment filed with your local school attendance officer each year. No testing, no required subjects, no reviews.

Missouri requires no notice or testing, but it does set a 1,000-hour annual instruction requirement and expects you to keep records showing it.

Montana requires an annual notice to your county superintendent, attendance and immunization records, and instruction in the basic subjects — no testing, no reviews.

Nebraska homeschools operate as exempt private schools: annual paperwork to the state Department of Education, core subjects, and minimum hours — no testing.

Nevada requires a one-time notice of intent with a basic educational plan. After that: no renewals, no testing, no reporting — among the lightest ongoing burdens anywhere.

New Hampshire asks for a notice when you begin, subject coverage, and an annual evaluation — but the evaluation results stay in your own records, not the state's.

New Jersey requires no notification, no testing, no registration, and no reporting. The only legal standard is providing instruction equivalent to public school.

New Mexico requires an annual notification to the state education department, a high school diploma or equivalent for the operating parent, and core subject instruction.

New York is one of the most regulated states: letter of intent, an annual instruction plan (IHIP), quarterly reports, and a yearly assessment. It's a lot of paperwork — but a knowable routine.

North Carolina requires a one-time notice to open your homeschool, ongoing attendance and immunization records, and a nationally standardized test each year.

North Dakota requires an annual statement of intent to your district, core subjects with minimum hours, and standardized testing at certain grade checkpoints, with exemptions available to some families.

Ohio requires a simple annual notification to your district and a list of core subjects. The old assessment and portfolio requirements were removed in 2023.

Oklahoma is the only state whose constitution explicitly protects the right to educate by 'other means.' There is no notice, no testing, and no required subjects.

Oregon requires a one-time notice to your Education Service District and standardized testing at four grade milestones. Between those checkpoints, you choose everything.

Pennsylvania is among the most regulated states: a notarized affidavit each year, required subjects and hours, a portfolio, an annual evaluation, and testing in certain grades.

Rhode Island requires approval from your local school committee, attendance records, and core subjects. The exact process varies noticeably from town to town.

South Carolina offers three legal routes. Most families join a third-option accountability association: a parent with a high school diploma, 180 days, core subjects, and simple records.

South Dakota requires a one-time notification form and instruction in language arts and math. Mandatory testing was eliminated in 2021.

Tennessee's independent option requires annual notice, a parent diploma, 180 days, and testing in certain grades. Most families instead enroll through a church-related umbrella school with lighter state contact.

Since the Leeper decision, Texas homeschools operate as unaccredited private schools: no notice, no testing, no reporting — just a written curriculum taught in good faith covering five subjects.

Utah requires a one-time signed affidavit to your school district, which must issue an exemption certificate. After that there are no subject, hour, or testing requirements.

Vermont is one of the more regulated states: an annual enrollment notice to the Agency of Education, a minimum course of study across specific subject areas, and a year-end assessment for each child.

Virginia's main route requires an annual notice, a parent qualification, and yearly evidence of progress. A full religious exemption and certified-tutor options also exist.

Washington requires an annual declaration of intent, one of four parent qualification routes, eleven required subjects, and a yearly test or assessment that stays in your own files.

West Virginia's main route requires a notice of intent, a parent with a high school diploma or equivalent, and an annual academic assessment, with results submitted to the county in certain grades.

Wisconsin requires one annual online filing (form PI-1206), at least 875 hours of instruction, and a sequentially progressive curriculum in six subjects. No testing, no approval.

Since a 2024 law change, Wyoming no longer requires submitting your curriculum to the local school board. You provide a basic academic educational program covering core subjects.