Every state regulates homeschooling differently. This guide compares notification, attendance, testing, and record-keeping rules across all 50 states so you can see exactly where yours falls.
Every state in the U.S. allows homeschooling, but the specific regulations vary considerably. Some states take a hands-off approach and let families educate however they see fit. Others impose detailed requirements around curriculum, attendance, testing, and reporting.
For parents considering homeschooling (or those who have already started), understanding your state's regulations is the single most important step you can take. It determines what paperwork you need to file, what records you need to keep, and whether your children need to be tested.
Homeschool regulations generally cover five areas:
Notification is often the first regulatory hurdle new homeschool families face. The question is simple: does your state require you to tell someone that you are homeschooling?
These states do not require any formal notification. You can begin homeschooling immediately.
These states require a basic notice of intent. You typically send a letter or file an online form that includes your name, address, and the children you plan to homeschool. The process usually takes a few minutes.
States in this group include Alabama, Arizona, California (via private school affidavit), Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and others.
A smaller group of states requires more than a simple notice. These states may ask for curriculum details, a list of planned subjects, or even prior approval from your local school board.
Attendance regulations define how many days or hours per year your child must receive instruction. These numbers are usually tied to the state's compulsory education age range.
The most common format. Most states require between 170 and 185 school days per year.
| Days Required | States |
|---|---|
| 180 days | NC, GA, FL, OH, VA, WV, SC, and others |
| 175 days | LA, TN |
| 172 days | CO |
| 170 days | MN, WI |
Some states measure attendance in instructional hours rather than days. This gives families more flexibility in how they structure each school day.
| State | Elementary Hours | Secondary Hours |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 900 | 990 |
| Pennsylvania | 900 | 990 |
| Washington | 1,000 | 1,000 |
Texas, Alaska, Idaho, and several other low-regulation states do not set a specific attendance floor. However, homeschooling is expected to be conducted in a "bona fide" manner with regular instruction.
Enter your state and see a personalized school year calendar with holidays and breaks.
Calculate Your DaysMany states specify which academic subjects must be included in your homeschool program. The core requirements that appear most frequently are:
Beyond the basics, some states add specific requirements:
States with no required subject list include Texas, Alaska, Idaho, and Oklahoma. In these states, you have complete freedom over what you teach. Even so, covering core academics is strongly recommended for college preparation and standardized testing.
Assessment regulations are where states differ the most. The question is whether (and how) the state verifies that homeschooled children are making academic progress.
Many states do not require any form of assessment. These include Texas, Alaska, California, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, Oklahoma, and Connecticut.
Other states require one or more of the following:
For detailed assessment options in your state, see our guide on Homeschool Evaluations and Testing.
Record-keeping requirements vary from nonexistent to quite detailed. Here is how states generally break down:
States like Texas, Alaska, Idaho, and Oklahoma do not specify record-keeping requirements. Even in these states, maintaining basic records is highly recommended for your own protection and your child's future needs (college applications, transcripts, etc.).
Most states fall in this category. They expect you to maintain attendance records, a list of subjects or curriculum used, and possibly work samples or test scores. You keep these on file at home and produce them only if requested.
New York requires quarterly reports and annual test results submitted to the school district. Pennsylvania requires a portfolio of work, a log of instruction, and an annual evaluation submitted to the superintendent. Vermont requires annual assessment results reported to the state.
For a complete walkthrough of what to keep and how to organize it, see How to Keep Homeschool Records. For a quick-start system, try our Binder Checklist Builder.
If your family relocates, you will need to comply with your new state's regulations. There is no reciprocity between states for homeschool status. Here is what to expect:
Moving from a low-regulation state (like Texas) to a high-regulation state (like New York) is the scenario that catches families off guard. If you know a move is coming, start documenting your homeschool activities more thoroughly before you relocate. It is much easier to have records and not need them than to need records and not have them.
Every state sets an age range during which children must be enrolled in some form of education (public, private, or home). Outside this range, homeschool regulations typically do not apply.
Check your specific state page for exact compulsory education ages. For children below or above the compulsory age, you can homeschool freely without following state regulations.
Homeschool laws are the statutes passed by state legislatures that establish the legal right to homeschool. Homeschool regulations are the specific rules and procedures that families must follow, such as notification deadlines, attendance minimums, required subjects, and assessment methods. In practice, the terms are often used interchangeably.
New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont are generally considered the most regulated states for homeschooling. These states require detailed notifications or plans, specific subjects, regular assessments, and ongoing reporting to school officials. New York is often cited as the most regulated due to its requirement for Individualized Home Instruction Plans, quarterly reports, and testing in specific grades.
Alaska, Idaho, Texas, Oklahoma, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Connecticut, Illinois, and New Jersey have the fewest requirements. These states either require no notification at all or have minimal requirements. There is no mandatory testing, no specific subject lists, and minimal or no record-keeping obligations.
Homeschool regulations can change when state legislatures pass new laws, but significant changes are relatively uncommon. Most states have had stable homeschool laws for years. When changes do occur, they usually expand freedoms or simplify compliance. It is still important to review your state's current requirements annually to stay current.
Consequences vary by state. In states with compulsory attendance laws, failure to comply with homeschool regulations could be treated as truancy, which may result in warnings from your school district, mandatory meetings, or in rare cases, legal proceedings. In practice, most compliance issues are resolved through communication with your district. The best protection is knowing and following your state's specific requirements.