Is homeschooling legal in every state?

Yes. All fifty states and the District of Columbia allow a parent to educate a child at home. What differs is what the state asks: some want nothing on paper, some a notice or an annual report, and some an annual test or evaluation. Each guide names its state's list, with the statute beside each item.

Does Faith Schooling work in my state?

Yes. No state tells a family which publisher to use, and most do not review the curriculum at all; the states that ask for a plan or a subject list are met by materials that are a sequence by grade, which every Faith Schooling program is. Faith Schooling provides the reading, language arts and mathematics foundation, Bible is free in the Apostolic Academy, and you add science, social studies and health as your state and your family see fit.

Do I need to be a certified teacher to homeschool?

In most states, no. Some ask the teaching parent for a high school diploma or its equivalent, and each guide says plainly whether its state is one of them. No state requires a teaching license for a parent educating their own children at home.

Which states require no notice or registration to homeschool?

As the guides read the law for 2026–2027, 12 states ask for no notice, registration or filing at all: Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming. Several others ask for one notice when you begin and nothing after. Each guide says exactly what its state wants and where the statute says so.

Which states require standardized testing for homeschoolers?

16 states ask for a test or an evaluation on a schedule, usually in certain grades or once a year, and most of them let a parent choose an evaluation or a portfolio review instead of a test: Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia. A few more test only on one of several legal routes; the guides say which.

Which states give homeschooling families money?

As of the guides' reading, 21 states run a scholarship, education savings account, tax credit or deduction that a homeschooling family can use, each with its own eligibility and rules: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming. The guide for each names the program, who qualifies and where to apply, read from the program's own page; a state not listed had no verified program on the day its guide was read.

State guide

Homeschool Laws and Requirements by State

Homeschooling is legal in all fifty states and the District of Columbia, and most ask for less than parents fear. Each guide reads the state's own statute and education agency, says what is required and what is yours to decide, and shows how to start, what help the state offers, and where Faith Schooling's reading, language arts and mathematics fit.

Compare the states at a glance

One line per state, written from that state's own guide: what you file, how much instruction the law counts, whether it tests, which subjects it names and what it asks of the teaching parent. A cell summarises a law; the guide carries the statute, the dates and the routes.

Homeschool requirements compared across the states, 2026–2027, each cell a summary of that state's guide
State	Notice / filing	Instructional time	Testing / evaluation	Required subjects	Parent qualifications
Alabama	Three routes: church school enrollment form to your superintendent; private school enrollment report each year; tutor statement	The school's own calendar (a certified private tutor only: 3 hours a day, 140 days)	None on the church school and private school routes	None named on the church school and private school routes (tutor: the public school branches, in English)	None (tutor route: a state teaching certificate)
Alaska	None	None set	None	None named	None
Arizona	One affidavit of intent to the county school superintendent within 30 days of starting; not renewed	None set	None	Five: reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies, science	None
Arkansas	Notice of Intent to Home School to your district superintendent each school year, by August 15	None set	None (the state tests by your choice)	None named	None
California	Private School Affidavit to the Department of Education each year, October 1 to 15 (or on starting)	None set for a home-based private school (a credentialed tutor: 3 hours a day, 175 days)	None for a private school student	Grades 1 to 6: English, mathematics, social science, science, fine arts, health, physical education, taught in English	None for a home-based private school (instructors capable of teaching)
Colorado	Written notice to any Colorado school district 14 days before you start, and each year after	172 days a year, averaging 4 contact hours a day	Grades 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11: a national test, or an evaluation by a qualified person	Reading, writing, speaking, mathematics, history, civics, literature, science, the U.S. Constitution	None (a parent, or an adult relative the parent designates)
Connecticut	None in 2026–2027 (a withdrawal form from July 2027, an intent-to-educate form from July 2028)	None set	None	Equivalent instruction in the studies taught in the public schools	None
Delaware	Register online with the Department of Education before you withdraw; two reports a year (enrollment by Sept. 30, attendance by July 31)	None set	None	None named for a single-family homeschool	None
Florida	Written notice of intent to your district school superintendent within 30 days of starting (a notice of termination when you finish)	None set	A yearly evaluation filed with the superintendent: a certified teacher's portfolio review, a normed or state test, or an agreed measure	None named	None
Georgia	Declaration of Intent to the Georgia Department of Education within 30 days of starting and by September 1 each year after	180 days a year of 4.5 hours each	A nationally standardized test at least every three years from the end of grade 3; results kept at home	Five at a minimum: reading, English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies	High school diploma or GED (the parent, or a hired tutor)
Hawaii	Form 4140 or a letter to the principal of your child's home public school before you start; not refiled while progress reports continue	None set	A nationally normed test in grades 3, 5, 8 and 10; a progress report to the principal each year	Your planned curriculum, kept at home (elementary: language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, art, music, health, PE)	None
Idaho	None	None set	None	The subjects commonly and usually taught in Idaho's public schools, covered your way	None
Illinois	None (tell the school in writing when you withdraw a child)	None set	None	Six, in English: language arts, mathematics, biological and physical sciences, social sciences, fine arts, physical development and health	None
Indiana	None (the Department's enrollment report is voluntary)	180 days a year; you choose the days and their length	None	None named: instruction equivalent to the public schools	None
Iowa	None on independent private instruction; the competent private instruction report (Form A) by September 1 is a choice	None on independent instruction; 148 days a year, 37 a quarter, on competent private instruction	None on independent instruction; a yearly evaluation by May 31 for a family that files Form A	Mathematics, reading and language arts, science, social studies	None
Kansas	Register the school's name, address and records custodian once with the State Board (online, no fee)	A term substantially equivalent to the public schools' (KSDE: 186 days of 6 hours, or 1,116 hours, grades 1 to 11)	None	None named; planned instruction by a competent instructor	None (a competent instructor)
Kentucky	A letter of intent to your district superintendent each year, within the first two weeks of the school year (or two weeks of withdrawing)	None set (KDE recommends the public-school minimum, 1,062 hours over 170 days)	None	None named	None
Louisiana	Two routes: BESE home study approval (apply within 15 days, renew yearly) or a registered nonpublic school (a yearly enrollment report)	180 days a year on either route	None (home study renews with a packet, a test or a certified teacher's statement)	None named; home study must equal the public schools' quality at the grade	None
Maine	Notice of intent to your superintendent and the Commissioner within 10 days; a continuing letter by Sept. 1 each year after	175 days a year; no hour count	A yearly assessment filed each September: a standardized or local test, a certified teacher's or portfolio review, or an advisory board	Eight: English and language arts, math, science, social studies, physical education, health, library skills, fine arts	None
Maryland	MSDE's home instruction notification form to your local superintendent at least 15 days before you begin; verify each later year	None set (regular instruction of sufficient duration)	None; a portfolio review by the school system at the end of each semester (or a supervising church or nonpublic school program)	English, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, health, physical education	None
Massachusetts	Approval from your superintendent or school committee in advance, renewed each year; each district has its own form	What you propose; the district measures it against the public schools' 180 days	By agreement with the district: periodic standardized tests, progress reports, or dated work samples	Reading, writing, English and grammar, arithmetic, geography, U.S. history and Constitution, citizenship, drawing, music, health, PE	None (no certificate or degree; the district asks who will teach)
Michigan	None under exemption (f); a nonpublic school under exemption (a) files a yearly membership report	None set	None (state assessments are open, never required)	Nine: reading, spelling, mathematics, science, history, civics, literature, writing, English grammar	The parent or legal guardian (exemption (f))
Minnesota	A report to the superintendent by October 1 of the first year your child is seven; a letter to continue by October 1 each year after	None set	A nationally norm-referenced standardized test each year, agreed with the superintendent; scores stay with you	Reading, writing, literature, fine arts, mathematics, science, social studies, health, physical education	None for a parent (who qualifies by having the child tested each year)
Mississippi	Certificate of Enrollment to your school attendance officer on or before August 15 each year (or when you withdraw a child mid-year)	None set	None	None named (a legitimate home instruction program)	None
Missouri	None (write to the public school that you are pursuing other educational options, and it drops the child from its rolls)	1,000 hours a year: 600 in the five core subjects, 400 of those at home; you choose the days	None	Five core: reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science (600 hours), plus what you choose	None
Montana	A notice to your county superintendent of schools each school fiscal year (most counties have a one-page intent form)	The public schools' minimum: 720 hours a year in grades 1 to 3, 1,080 in grades 4 to 12	None; the parent evaluates the instruction	The subjects the public schools must teach as their basic instructional program, in an organized course of study	None
Nebraska	The exempt-school election (statement of election and assurances, information form) to the Department of Education by July 15 each year	1,032 hours a year in grades K to 8, 1,080 in grades 9 to 12	None	A sequential program leading to basic skills in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, health	Anyone you are satisfied is qualified to monitor instruction in the basic skills; no certificate
Nevada	One notice of intent to your district superintendent before you begin (within 10 days of withdrawing, or 30 days of moving in); not renewed	None set	None	English (reading, composition, writing), mathematics, science, social studies, in your educational plan; not every subject every year	None
New Hampshire	None since July 1, 2026; an optional one-page declaration when you withdraw a child from a public school or want access to its courses	None set	None (the annual evaluation was repealed July 1, 2026)	None named	None
New Jersey	None (the Department encourages a written note to your district; withdraw from a public school in writing)	None set	None	Instruction equivalent to the public schools' for children of similar grades: the subjects they teach, by your books and methods	None
New Mexico	Register with the Public Education Department within 30 days of starting, and by August 1 each later year (online or on paper)	None set	None	A basic academic education including reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science	A high school diploma or its equivalent
New York	Notice of intent to your superintendent by July 1 each year (or within 14 days of starting); an IHIP for each child by August 15	180 days a year: 900 hours in grades 1 to 6, 990 in grades 7 to 12	Four quarterly reports and a yearly assessment: a narrative in grades 1 to 3, a normed test at least every other year from grade 4	Grades 1 to 6: arithmetic, reading, spelling, writing, English, geography, U.S. history, science, health, music, visual arts, PE	None
North Carolina	Notice of Intent to Operate a Home School, filed once with DNPE online; update your school's information in the portal each year	Nine calendar months a year on a regular schedule; no hour count	A nationally standardized test each year in at least English grammar, reading, spelling and mathematics; results kept at home	None named (the yearly test covers English grammar, reading, spelling and mathematics)	A high school diploma or its equivalent for everyone who teaches
North Dakota	Statement of intent (SFN 16909) to your district superintendent at least 5 days before you begin, and once each year after	At least 4 hours a day for at least 175 days a year	Grades 4, 6, 8 and 10: the district's standardized test (free) or a nationally normed test at your cost, unless you claim an exemption	Those required of public school students: English language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, PE, health, computer science	A high school diploma or GED (or two years monitored by a licensed teacher)
Ohio	Written notice to your district superintendent within 5 days of starting (or withdrawing or moving in), and by August 30 each year after	None set	None (ended by House Bill 33, October 2023)	English language arts, mathematics, science, history, government, social studies	None
Oklahoma	None (tell the school when you withdraw)	Good faith for the full term the district's schools are in session (the Department reads that as 180 days of 6 hours)	None (a child returning to public school takes a placement test there)	None named (the Department recommends reading, writing, math, science, citizenship, the Constitution, health, safety, PE, conservation)	None
Oregon	A one-time notice to your Education Service District within 10 days of withdrawing or of the school year's start	None set	An approved nationally normed test at the end of grades 3, 5, 8 and 10, scores kept at home; 18 months' grace for new families	None named	None
Pennsylvania	An affidavit or unsworn declaration to your superintendent before you begin and by August 1 each year, with your objectives by subject	180 days a year, or 900 hours (elementary) / 990 hours (secondary)	A nationally normed test in reading and math in grades 3, 5 and 8; a portfolio reviewed and certified by an evaluator by June 30 each year	English (spelling, reading, writing), arithmetic, science, geography, U.S. and Pennsylvania history, civics, safety, health, PE, music, art	A high school diploma or its equivalent (the supervising parent)
Rhode Island	Approval of your plan by the school committee of your town before you begin, through its own yearly process	A period substantially equal to the public schools' (districts provide at least 1,080 hours a year), with attendance registers returned	None by the state; progress evaluated as you and the committee agree, which may include testing at regular intervals	Reading, writing, geography, arithmetic, U.S. history, Rhode Island history, American government, in English; RIDE adds civics, health, PE	None
South Carolina	Three routes: district board approval, membership in SCAIHS, or membership in a home school association of fifty or more families	180 days a year on every route (the district route adds 4.5 hours a day)	The annual statewide tests on the district route only; none on the association routes	Reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies on every route (grades 7 to 12 add composition and literature)	A high school diploma or GED on every route
South Dakota	One notification on the Department's form within 30 days of beginning alternative instruction; refiled only on a transition	None set	None (the 2021 rewrite names no test)	The basic skills of language arts and mathematics, leading to mastery of English	None (no certification)
Tennessee	Notice of Intent to Home School to your school district, any time the first year and before the start of each later school year	At least 4 hours a day for 180 days a year	Grades 5, 7 and 9: a nationally normed test you choose, or the state's test (TCAP, free at the public school)	None named (the intent form lists the subjects you will teach)	A high school diploma or an equivalency credential approved by the State Board
Texas	None (a signed, dated withdrawal letter to the school if your child was enrolled)	None set	None	A curriculum in visual form covering reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics and good citizenship	None
Utah	A one-time initial notification (a letter of intent will do) to your district's local school board; acknowledged within 30 days	None set	None (a district may not require testing)	None set (on request the board identifies the knowledge and skills recommended by grade)	None (a district may not require credentials)
Vermont	Enrollment notice to the Secretary of Education at least 10 business days before you begin; a renewal notice before each following year	175 days a year in the minimum course of study	A year-end assessment kept at home: a standardized test, a certified teacher's review, your own report and portfolio, or grades	Reading, writing, numbers; citizenship, history and government; PE and health; literature; natural sciences; fine arts	None
Virginia	Notice of intent to your division superintendent by August 15 each year, with how you qualify and a list of the coming year's subjects	None set	Evidence of progress by August 1 each year: a test score in or above the fourth stanine, or an evaluation showing adequate growth	None named (the notice lists the subjects you will teach)	One of four: a high school diploma, teacher qualifications, a program of study or curriculum, or evidence of an adequate education
Washington	A signed declaration of intent to your district superintendent each year by September 15, or within two weeks of a new term	The hours set for approved private schools at each grade	Each year a State Board-approved test given by a qualified person, or a written assessment by a certificated person; kept at home	Occupational education, science, mathematics, language, social studies, history, health, reading, writing, spelling, art, music	One of four: 45 college quarter credits, a home-instruction course, a certificated person's supervision, or the superintendent's finding
Washington, D.C.	Notification of Intent to OSSE at least 15 business days before you begin; a continuation notification by August 15 each year	None set (thorough, regular instruction of sufficient duration)	None required; a portfolio OSSE may review on 30 days' written notice, at most twice a school year	Eight: language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, health, physical education	A high school diploma or its equivalent (or a waiver petition to OSSE)
West Virginia	One notice of intent to your county superintendent before you begin (Exemption B); not renewed each year	None set on the notice route	A yearly assessment (a test, a certified teacher's portfolio review, or an agreed alternative); results sent in grades 3, 5, 8 and 11	Reading, language, mathematics, science, social studies	A high school diploma or its equivalent, or a post-secondary degree or certificate
Wisconsin	Home-based private educational program enrollment report (PI-1206) to DPI each school year, by October 15	875 hours a year	None	Six: reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, health	None
Wyoming	None since July 1, 2025 (tell the district when a child leaves a public school for a home-based program)	None set	None	A sequentially progressive curriculum in reading, writing, mathematics, civics, history, literature, science	None (the parent, or a person the parent designates)

Every state, A to Z

Questions parents ask about homeschool laws

Is homeschooling legal in every state?: Yes. All fifty states and the District of Columbia allow a parent to educate a child at home. What differs is what the state asks: some want nothing on paper, some a notice or an annual report, and some an annual test or evaluation. Each guide names its state's list, with the statute beside each item.
Does Faith Schooling work in my state?: Yes. No state tells a family which publisher to use, and most do not review the curriculum at all; the states that ask for a plan or a subject list are met by materials that are a sequence by grade, which every Faith Schooling program is. Faith Schooling provides the reading, language arts and mathematics foundation, Bible is free in the Apostolic Academy, and you add science, social studies and health as your state and your family see fit.
Do I need to be a certified teacher to homeschool?: In most states, no. Some ask the teaching parent for a high school diploma or its equivalent, and each guide says plainly whether its state is one of them. No state requires a teaching license for a parent educating their own children at home.
Which states require no notice or registration to homeschool?: As the guides read the law for 2026–2027, 12 states ask for no notice, registration or filing at all: Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming. Several others ask for one notice when you begin and nothing after. Each guide says exactly what its state wants and where the statute says so.
Which states require standardized testing for homeschoolers?: 16 states ask for a test or an evaluation on a schedule, usually in certain grades or once a year, and most of them let a parent choose an evaluation or a portfolio review instead of a test: Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia. A few more test only on one of several legal routes; the guides say which.
Which states give homeschooling families money?: As of the guides' reading, 21 states run a scholarship, education savings account, tax credit or deduction that a homeschooling family can use, each with its own eligibility and rules: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming. The guide for each names the program, who qualifies and where to apply, read from the program's own page; a state not listed had no verified program on the day its guide was read.

Homeschool Laws and Requirements by State

Find your state

Compare the states at a glance

Every state, A to Z

Questions parents ask about homeschool laws