A guide to meeting your state's legal requirements for homeschooling, including notification, record-keeping, assessment, and graduation compliance.
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Research Your State's Homeschool Laws
Look up your state's homeschool statute on the state legislature website
Search for your state's education code, not just blog posts about it. Laws change every legislative session. The official statute is the only source you can rely on. Print or bookmark the current version with the revision date noted.
Determine which regulatory category your state falls into: low, moderate, or high regulation
About 11 states have no notification requirement at all, 15 require notification only, and 24 require notification plus additional items like testing or curriculum approval. High-regulation states may require annual portfolio reviews by a certified teacher.
Check compulsory education age ranges in your state
Compulsory education ages vary from 5-18 in some states to 6-16 in others. Starting homeschool before the compulsory age requires no notification in most states. If your child is currently enrolled in public school, you must formally withdraw them first.
Identify whether your state requires parent qualifications
Most states have no education requirements for homeschool parents. About 5-6 states require a high school diploma or GED. Two states require parents to have supervised teaching for the first year. Check if your state distinguishes between parent-taught and umbrella school programs.
File Required Notifications
Submit a declaration of intent to homeschool to the correct authority
Depending on your state, this goes to the local school district, county superintendent, or state department of education. About 30 states require this filing. Deadlines vary: some require 14 days notice, others require filing before the school year begins.
Include all required information in your notification letter
Typical requirements include the child's name, age, address, and the subjects to be taught. Some states also require the curriculum publisher names or a brief description of your educational plan. Use your state's official form if one exists rather than writing a freeform letter.
Keep a copy of your filed notification with proof of delivery
Send notifications via certified mail with return receipt, or hand-deliver and get a date-stamped copy. Email submissions should be followed up with a confirmation request. Without proof of filing, you have no defense if truancy questions arise.
Set a calendar reminder to renew your notification annually if required
Most states that require notification need it filed every year, not just once. Filing deadlines are typically July 1 or August 15 for the upcoming school year. Missing the deadline by even one day can trigger truancy notices in strict enforcement states.
Meet Curriculum and Instruction Requirements
Verify which subjects your state mandates for home instruction
Nearly all states require math, reading, and language arts. About 30 states also require science, social studies, and health. Some states mandate specific topics like state history or the Constitution. Document how your curriculum covers each required subject area.
Confirm minimum instructional hours or days per year
Requirements range from 600 hours per year (about 3.5 hours per school day) to 1,000 hours in some states. About 25 states specify a minimum of 170-180 school days. Track hours or days in a simple log from day one rather than trying to reconstruct records later.
Check whether your state requires curriculum approval or review
About 6-8 states require submitting your curriculum plan for review by the school district or a certified teacher. Prepare this document before filing your notification. Include the publisher, edition, and scope for each subject. Most reviews are approved within 30 days.
Determine if your state offers umbrella school or cover school options
Umbrella schools handle much of the paperwork and reporting for you for an annual fee of $200-$600. They provide transcripts, report cards, and sometimes a diploma. This option simplifies compliance in high-regulation states significantly.
Set Up Required Record-Keeping
Create an attendance log in your state's required format
A simple spreadsheet with dates and hours works for most states. Log each day's start time, end time, and subjects covered. Some states accept a monthly summary rather than daily records. Consistent daily logging takes 2 minutes; reconstructing it takes hours.
Start a portfolio of work samples organized by subject and date
Save 3-5 samples per subject per quarter. Include a mix of daily work, tests, and projects. Date and label everything clearly. About 10 states require an annual portfolio review. Even if your state does not require it, portfolios prove educational progress if questioned.
Maintain an immunization record or file a valid exemption
Even homeschooled children need immunization records for future college enrollment or returning to public school. All 50 states allow medical exemptions. About 44 states allow religious exemptions. Keep records in the same file as your other homeschool documents.
Store all records securely with backups for at least 3 years
Keep both physical and digital copies of all records. Use a fireproof folder or a cloud storage backup. States can request records for up to 2 years after you stop homeschooling. Lost records can delay college enrollment or cause compliance issues.
Comply with Assessment Requirements
Check whether your state requires annual standardized testing
About 12-15 states require standardized testing at specific grade levels. Common accepted tests include the Iowa Assessments, Stanford Achievement Test, and state-specific exams. Register 4-6 weeks in advance as testing seats fill quickly for homeschoolers.
Determine if professional evaluation is an alternative to testing
About 8 states allow a certified teacher evaluation instead of standardized testing. The evaluator reviews the portfolio, interviews the child, and writes a progress report. These evaluations cost $75-$200 and must be done by someone who holds a valid teaching certificate.
Submit test scores or evaluation results by the deadline
Deadlines for submitting results are typically August 1 or September 1 of the following school year. Late submissions may trigger remediation requirements in some states. If your child scores below the required percentile, you may have 12 months to show improvement.
Plan for High School and Graduation
Research your state's requirements for homeschool diplomas
In most states, parents issue the diploma themselves. About 4-5 states require additional documentation or a state-recognized program. Start planning high school credits in 8th grade to ensure all graduation requirements are met over 4 years.
Create a high school transcript template if your child is age 14 or older
Colleges require a transcript listing courses, grades, credits, and GPA. Use the standard Carnegie unit system: 1 credit equals 120-180 hours of instruction. Include course descriptions for any uniquely named classes. Start the transcript in 9th grade even if college is years away.
Verify college admission requirements for homeschool applicants in your target schools
Most colleges accept homeschool graduates but require SAT/ACT scores, a transcript, and sometimes additional documentation like a GED or portfolio. Contact the admissions office directly to ask about their homeschool policy. Start this research by 10th grade at the latest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is homeschooling legal in all 50 states?
Yes, homeschooling is legal in all 50 US states and all US territories. However, regulations vary dramatically by state. States like Texas, Alaska, and Idaho have minimal requirements (no notification needed), while New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts require annual assessments, curriculum approval, and quarterly progress reports. About 11 states have high regulation, 15 have moderate regulation, and 24 have low or no regulation beyond basic notification.
Do I need a teaching degree to homeschool my children?
No state requires a teaching degree to homeschool. About 6 states require a high school diploma or GED for the teaching parent. Some states with moderate regulation ask parents to submit a curriculum plan or demonstrate competency in core subjects, but this does not mean holding a formal credential. Research consistently shows no correlation between a parent's education level and their homeschooled child's academic performance.
How do I officially withdraw my child from public school to homeschool?
The process depends on your state. In low-regulation states, you may simply stop attending and file a notice of intent with the school district or state education agency. In moderate to high-regulation states, submit a formal withdrawal letter to the school principal plus a notice of intent to homeschool to the superintendent or state office. Do this before the first day of the school year or at least 14 days before withdrawing mid-year. Keep a copy of every document you submit.
What records am I required to keep as a homeschool parent?
Requirements range from none (Texas, Alaska) to extensive annual portfolios (New York, Pennsylvania). Common documentation includes attendance records, immunization records, curriculum plans, samples of student work, and standardized test scores or professional evaluations. Even in low-regulation states, maintaining a portfolio of work, grades, and a transcript protects your child when applying to college or transferring back to public school. Keep records organized by subject and grade level in both digital and physical formats.
Can homeschooled students participate in public school sports and activities?
As of 2025, about 30 states have laws (often called Tim Tebow laws) allowing homeschooled students to participate in public school extracurriculars, including sports, band, theater, and clubs. Requirements typically include living in the school district, meeting academic standards, and following the same eligibility rules as enrolled students. In states without these laws, private leagues, homeschool co-op teams, and community recreation programs provide alternative competition and activity opportunities.