Homeschool Requirements by State

Alabama offers one of the most parent-friendly homeschooling environments in the country. There are three legal pathways: church school (most popular, one-time notice only), private school (register by October 10), or private tutor (state certification required). Most families use the church school option, which requires minimal paperwork and no curriculum approval.

Arizona provides a homeschooling pathway with minimal requirements. Parents file a one-time notarized Affidavit of Intent with their county school superintendent within 30 days of starting. No annual renewal, testing, or record-keeping is required, making Arizona one of the most flexible states for homeschooling.

Arkansas is one of the most flexible homeschooling states. While parents must file a Notice of Intent by August 15, there are virtually no other requirements. No subjects are mandated, no testing is required, and no record-keeping is specified. This makes Arkansas extremely parent-friendly.

Colorado requires a Notice of Intent filed 14 days before starting homeschooling. Parents must provide at least 172 days of instruction per year with 4 hours per day minimum. Testing is required in grades 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11, but can be fulfilled by a qualified evaluator rather than standardized tests.

Connecticut has minimal homeschooling regulations. A Notice of Intent is optional but recommended. Parents must provide instruction equivalent to public schools in core subjects such as English, geography, arithmetic, and US history. No testing is required.

Delaware requires registration as a Nonpublic School (NPS) by September 30 each year. Beyond this simple registration, there are no mandated subjects, hours, days, or testing requirements. This makes Delaware a very flexible state for homeschooling families.

Florida offers multiple homeschool options with different requirements. The main homeschool statute requires a one-time Notice of Intent and annual assessment (test, portfolio, or educator evaluation). Other options like virtual school or private tutor have different requirements. No mandatory subjects required under the homeschool statute.

Hawaii requires a Letter of Intent or Form 4140 filed when your homeschool program begins. Curriculum must be 'structured and based on educational objectives and child needs.' Standardized testing is required in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10.

Indiana has minimal homeschooling requirements. No filing or notification is required. Parents must provide instruction equivalent to public schools and maintain attendance records that may be requested by the superintendent, but no testing is required.

Kentucky requires a Private School Notice of Attendance filed within the first two weeks of the school year. Parents must provide 1,062 hours of instruction (170 days) in required subjects. No standardized testing is mandated.

Maryland requires a Notice of Consent filed 15 days before starting homeschooling. Parents must provide instruction on a regular basis with 'sufficient duration' and maintain a portfolio demonstrating 'regular, thorough instruction' with work samples, attendance, reports, and test scores.

Missouri has very hands-off homeschooling regulations. No formal filing is required (though some recommend notifying districts). Parents must provide 1,000 instructional hours (600 in core subjects) and maintain a plan book or portfolio for children under 16. Children must be evaluated at the end of each school year through the parent's chosen method.

Montana requires annual notification to the county superintendent (not district). Parents must provide 720 hours per year (grades 1-3) or 1,080 hours (grades 4-12). No testing is required. Recent law (HB 778, May 2025) removed immunization and health/safety compliance requirements.

Nevada requires a one-time Notice of Intent filed within 30 days of moving to the state or within 10 days of withdrawing from public school. No annual renewal is needed. There are no mandated hours, days, or testing requirements. Families can participate in public school activities via the NOIPPA form.

New Jersey has minimal homeschooling requirements. The only requirement is that you provide 'equivalent instruction' to public schools. No filing is needed unless withdrawing from public school. No testing is mandated. It is wise to keep documentation (attendance, textbooks, work samples).

Oregon requires a Notice of Intent filed within 10 days of starting or withdrawing from public school. This is a one-time filing (not annual). Standardized testing is required in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10 by August 15. New homeschoolers receive an 18-month grace period.

South Dakota requires a Certificate of Enrollment filed within 30 days of beginning homeschooling. Curriculum is very flexible with minimal requirements (language arts and math minimum). Testing is required only if enrolled more than 50% of the day in public school. Full extracurricular access is allowed.

Tennessee requires an annual Intent to Home School form filed with the local school district. Parents must provide 180 days and 4 hours per day of instruction. Testing is required in grades 5, 7, and 9. Parent must have high school diploma or equivalency.

West Virginia requires a one-time Notice of Intent filed with the county superintendent. Annual assessment is required (standardized test, improvement, or certified teacher portfolio review). HB 2777 removes the high school diploma requirement for parents. Assessment copies kept for 3 years.

Wisconsin requires a Statement of Enrollment (PI-1206 form) filed annually by October 15. Parents must provide 875 hours of instruction per school year. Required subjects are specified but no mandated curriculum or testing. No progress reporting required.