Quick answer: Homeschool requirements are set by each state. The four things states regulate are notice to the state or school district, required subjects, testing or evaluation, and parent qualifications. Of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, 9 ask for no notice at all, 33 list required subjects, and 12 require an assessment under every homeschool route. The table below shows each state.
Use this page as a starting map, then confirm the details with your state department of education before you file anything. Rules are updated by state legislatures, and several states changed their homeschool laws in recent years.
Table of Contents
The four kinds of homeschool requirements
- Notice. A notice of intent, enrollment form or letter filed with the state or the local school district. Some states ask once, some every year, and some not at all.
- Required subjects. A list of subjects the program must cover, such as reading, math, science and social studies.
- Assessment. A standardized test, portfolio review or evaluation by a qualified person, usually at set grade levels or once a year.
- Parent qualifications. A minimum education level for the parent, such as a high school diploma. Most states set none.
Many states offer more than one legal route, shown as “options” in the table. Common routes are an independent home education program, a private or church school route, and instruction by a certified tutor. Where a rule applies to one route only, the table says so.
Homeschool requirements by state
| State | Legal options | Notice required | Required subjects | Assessment | Parent qualifications | Compulsory school ages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Three | Yes | No | No | No, except option 3 | 6-17 |
| Alaska | Four | No, except option 4 | No | No, except option 4 | No, except option 2 | 7-16 |
| Arizona | One | Yes | Yes | No | No | 6-16 |
| Arkansas | One | Yes | No | No | No | 5-17 |
| California | Three | Yes | Yes | No | No, except option 3 | 6-18 |
| Colorado | Three | Yes | Yes | Yes | No, except option 3 | 6-17 |
| Connecticut | One | No | Yes | No | No | 5-18 |
| Delaware | Three | Yes | No | No | No | 5-16 |
| District of Columbia | One | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | 5-18 |
| Florida | Three | No, except option 1 | No | No, except option 1 | None for parents | 6-16 |
| Georgia | One | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 6-16 |
| Hawaii | One | Yes | No, but see other curriculum requirements | Yes | No | 5-18 |
| Idaho | One | No | Yes | No | No | 7-16 |
| Illinois | One | No | Yes | No | No | 6-17 |
| Indiana | One | No | No | No | No | 7-18 |
| Iowa | Five | Yes, except options 1 and 2 | No, except option 1 | No, except option 4 | No | 6-16 |
| Kansas | One | First year only | No | Periodic | No | 7-18 |
| Kentucky | One | Yes | Yes | No | No | 6-18 |
| Louisiana | Two | Yes | Yes for option 1 | Yes for option 1 | No | 5-18 |
| Maine | Two | Yes | Yes | Yes for option 1 | Yes for option 2 | 6-17 (with exceptions) |
| Maryland | Four | Yes | Yes | No | No | 5-18 |
| Massachusetts | One | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 6-16 |
| Michigan | Two | Option 2 only | Yes | No | Option 2 only | 6-18 |
| Minnesota | One | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7-17 |
| Mississippi | One | Yes | No | No | No | 6-17 |
| Missouri | One | No | Yes | Yes | No | 7-17 |
| Montana | One | Yes | Yes | No | No | 7-16 (with exceptions) |
| Nebraska | One | Yes | Yes | No | No | 6-18 |
| Nevada | One | Yes | Yes | No | No | 6-18 |
| New Hampshire | One | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 6-18 (with exceptions) |
| New Jersey | One | No | No, but see instruction requirements | No | No | 6-16 |
| New Mexico | One | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | 5-18 |
| New York | One | Yes | Yes | Yes | No, just competent instructor | 6-16/17 |
| North Carolina | One | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | 7-16 |
| North Dakota | Two | Yes | Yes | Yes, with exceptions | Yes | 7-16 |
| Ohio | Two | Yes | Yes | No | No | 6-18 |
| Oklahoma | One | No | No | No | No | 5-18 |
| Oregon | One | Yes | No | Yes | No | 6-18 |
| Pennsylvania | Four | Yes | Yes | No, except option 1 | No, except option 1 | 6-18 |
| Rhode Island | One | Yes | Yes | No | No | 6-18 (with exceptions) |
| South Carolina | Three | No, but see option 1 approval process | Yes | No, except option 1 | Yes | 5-17 |
| South Dakota | One | Yes | Yes | No | No | 6-18 |
| Tennessee | Three | Yes | No | No, except options 1 and 2a | Yes | 6-17 |
| Texas | One | No | Yes | No | No | 6-19 |
| Utah | One | Yes | No | No | No | 6-18 |
| Vermont | One | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 6-16 |
| Virginia | Four | Yes | No | No, except option 1 | No | 5-18 |
| Washington | Two | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8-18 |
| West Virginia | Three | Yes | Yes | Yes for Options 2 & 3 | Yes | 6-17 |
| Wisconsin | One | Yes | Yes | No | No | 6-18 |
| Wyoming | Two | No | Yes | No | No | 7-16 |
Source: state law summaries published by the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), reviewed October 2026. “Option” numbers refer to the legal routes listed for that state. Confirm current rules with your state department of education.
States that require no notice
These states do not ask families to notify the state or district under any homeschool route: Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming. A few more ask for notice only under certain routes or only in the first year, as the table shows.
States that require testing or evaluation
These states require an assessment under every homeschool route: Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont and Washington. Other states require it for some routes only. The form varies by state: a standardized test, a portfolio review, a written evaluation, or evaluation records kept by the parent.
How an accredited online school fits
In many states, a child enrolled in a private school follows the private school rules, and the school keeps attendance, grades and transcripts. Families who want teachers, grading and records handled by a school often choose an accredited online program and learn at home. How enrollment in an out-of-state online private school is treated differs by state, so check your state’s rules or ask your district.
Forest Trail Academy offers accredited homeschool programs for kindergarten through grade 12, with self-paced courses and year-round enrollment.
What to do next
- Find your state in the table and note what it asks for.
- Read the current rules on your state department of education website.
- File any notice before your first homeschool day.
- Follow the steps in our guide on how to start homeschooling.
- Set up records from day one. See the homeschool transcript guide and the homeschool diploma guide.
Frequently asked questions
Which states have the fewest homeschool requirements?
States that ask for no notice have the lightest paperwork: Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming. Some of them still list required subjects, so read the full row for your state.
Do I have to notify the school district before homeschooling?
In most states, yes. 36 states and jurisdictions require notice under every route. Check your state’s row and file before the first homeschool day.
Do homeschooled students have to take standardized tests?
Only where the state requires an assessment. 27 states and jurisdictions require none under any route.
Do parents need a teaching certificate to homeschool?
32 states and jurisdictions set no parent qualification under any route. The others ask for a minimum such as a high school diploma, or apply a requirement to one route only.
Do the rules change if we move to another state?
Yes. Each state applies its own law from the day you become a resident. Students enrolled in an online school keep the same courses, teachers and transcript through a move. Book a call with admissions to talk through your situation.
