How to Homeschool Legally in Your State:

Understanding the Rules

Each state has its own specific homeschooling regulations, and these can vary widely. Key aspects to consider include:

  • Curriculum Requirements: What subjects you must teach.
  • Withdrawal Procedures: How to formally withdraw your child from public school.
  • Compulsory School Age: The age range during which schooling is required (including whether kindergarten is mandatory).
  • Reporting Requirements: Any documentation or assessments you need to submit.

Finding Your State’s Information

We’ve made it easy for you to find the regulations for your state. Below, you’ll find a reference chart with a state summary and link to each State’s Education Department website to specific details. Find Your State >>

Road Schooling Considerations

If you homeschool while traveling, you need to adhere to the homeschooling laws of the state where your driver’s license and vehicle are registered. Always carry proof that you are complying with these laws when traveling to other states.

Who Can Homeschool?

Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states. It can be undertaken by grandparents, parents, or other family members appointed as the legal guardian. Ensure you have set up the necessary legal framework according to your state’s requirements.

Record Keeping Essentials

Record keeping requirements vary by state and can include maintaining portfolios and attendance logs. Regardless of state mandates, it is highly recommended to keep detailed records and transcripts, especially once your child reaches high school. This documentation is crucial for your teen’s future academic and career opportunities. Be sure to follow or exceed your state’s suggested course guidelines.

Getting Started with Homeschooling

Visit our Getting Started page for a wealth of resources designed to support your homeschooling journey. Through our informative podcasts, blog posts, daily inspiration, and a wide range of free printable tools, we aim to empower and assist you on your homeschooling journey. We believe in equipping you with valuable resources to make your homeschooling experience successful and enjoyable. Whether you have a brand new Kindergartner or a High Schooler, we can give you the tools to succeed!

Follow BTDT Homeschool for Daily Inspiration:

State-Specific Homeschool Laws

Below is a chart detailing the homeschooling requirements for each state. Click on the STATE NAME to visit the official State Education Department website for the most current information. Remember, it is legal for you to homeschool in all 50 states!

  • Some states have no requirements at all—no letter of intent is needed.
  • Other states only require a letter of intent to homeschool.
  • Some states have more stringent regulations, including specific curriculum and hours of study requirements.

Regardless of the level of regulation, thousands of homeschoolers successfully navigate these requirements every day. Learn what is required in your state and ensure you comply to provide the best education for your child.

BTDT Homeschool was created with a heartfelt mission: to empower and give back to the secular homeschool community.

Through our informative podcasts, blog posts, daily inspiration, and a wide range of free printable tools, we aim to empower you on your homeschooling journey.

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States with the STRICTEST regulation:

  • Massachusetts
  • New York
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island

States with NO NOTICE regulation:

  • Alaska
  • Connecticut
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Michigan
  • Missouri
  • New Jersey
  • Oklahoma
  • Texas

Homeschool Laws by State*

Click the STATE NAME below to visit the official State Education Department website:

STATECOMPULSORY
AGE
TEST or Assessment
Required?
REQUIRED SUBJECTSNotification Required?
Alabama Ages 7-17none noneYes
AlaskaAges 7-16nonenoneNo
Arizona Ages 6-16noneReading, grammar, math, social studies, and science.Yes
Arkansas Ages 5-17none noneYes
California  Ages 6-18noneGrades 1-6: English, math, social science, science, visual and performing arts, health, and physical education. Grades 7-12: The government may prescribe English; social sciences; foreign languages (starting no later than seventh grade); physical education; science; mathematics; visual and performing arts; applied arts; career technical education; automobile driver education.Yes
ColoradoAges 6-16YesReading, writing, speaking, mathematics, history, civics, literature, science, and the
Constitution of the United States.
Yes
Connecticut Ages 5-18noneReading, writing, spelling, grammar, geography, arithmetic, United States history, including the study of the town, state, and federal governments, and citizenship.No
DelawareAges 5-16none noneYes
FloridaAges 6-16Yes noneYes
GeorgiaAges 6-16YesInstruction in reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science.Yes
HawaiiAges 5-18YesnoneYes
IdahoAges 7-16none“A homeschooled
student must be comparably instructed to students in the public school”
No
IllinoisAges 6-17noneLanguage arts, mathematics, the biological physical and social sciences, the fine arts, and physical development and health education.No
IndianaAge 7-18 nonenone No
IowaAges 6-16none“Mathematics, reading and language arts, science, and social studies.”No
KansasAges 7-18YesnoneYes
KentuckyAges 6-18noneReading, writing, spelling, grammar, history, mathematics, science, and civics. Must be in the English Language.Yes
LouisianaAges 5-18none noneYes
MaineAges 6-17YesEnglish and language arts, math, science, social studies, physical education, health education, library skills, fine arts and, in at least one grade from grade 6 to 12, Maine studies. At one grade level from grade 7 to 12, the student will demonstrate proficiency in the use of computers.Yes
MarylandAges 5-18NoEnglish, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, health, and physical educationYes
Massachusetts Ages 6-16YesYou need only provide a program that is equivalent to public but no
requirements are set.
Yes
MichiganAges 6-18none“Reading, spelling, mathematics, science, history, civics, literature, writing, and English grammar.”No
MinnesotaAges 7-17Yes“Home schools are required to provide instruction in 1) basic communication skills, including reading, writing, literature, and fine arts; 2) mathematics and science; 3) social studies, including history, geography, and government; and 4) health and physical education.”Yes
MississippiAges 6-17 none noneYes
MissouriAges 7-17noneReading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science.No
MontanaAges 7-16 noneCommunication arts (reading, literature, writing, speaking and listening, and media literacy); arts; health enhancement; library media; mathematics; science; social studies; technology; world languages; workplace competencies; and career and vocational/technical education.Yes
NebraskaAges 6-18YesLanguage arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and health.Yes
NevadaAges 7-18none“English (including reading, composition, and writing), mathematics, science and social studies (including history geography, economics and government)” Yes
New Hampshire Ages 6-18Yes “Science, mathematics, language,
government, history, health, reading, writing, spelling, the history of the constitutions of New Hampshire and the United States, and an exposure to and
appreciation of art and music.”
Yes
New JerseyAges 6-16nonenoneNo
New MexicoAges 5-18 none“Basic academic educational program, including reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science.” Yes
New YorkAges 6-16Yes“Required courses for grades 1-6 are arithmetic, reading, spelling, writing, the English language, geography, US history, science, health education, music, visual arts, physical education, and bilingual education and/or English as a second language where the need is indicated.
“Required courses for grades 7-8 are English, history, geography, science, mathematics, physical education, health education, art, music, practical arts, and library skills.”
“Required courses for grades 9- 12 are English, social studies, including US history, government, and economics, mathematics, science, art and/or music; health education, physical education; and three electives.”
Yes
North
Carolina 
Ages 7-16YesnoneYes
North DakotaAges 7-16YesEnglish Langrage Arts (reading, composition, creative writing, English grammar and spelling), Mathematics, Social Studies (including the U. S. Constitution, U. S. History, geography and government, and ND studies with an emphasis on geography, history, and agriculture of this state and including the federally recognized Indian tribes in the state in grades 4 & 8) Science (including agriculture), Physical Education, Health (Including physiology, hygiene, disease control, nature and effects of alcohol, tobacco and narcotics)Yes
OhioAges 6-18YesEquivalent to public school. “Language, reading, spelling, and writing; geography, history of the United States and Ohio; and national, state, and local government; mathematics; science; health; physical education; fine arts, including music; and first aid, safety, and fire prevention.”Yes
OklahomaAges 5-18nonenoneNo
OregonAges 6-18Yes noneYes
PennsylvaniaAges 6-18YesLanguage arts, arithmetic, science, geography, history of the U.S., civics, safety education including fire prevention, health, physical education, music and art.Yes
Rhode IslandAges 6-18none“State law requires the instruction be in English and the curriculum to include reading, writing, geography, arithmetic, history of the United States, history of Rhode Island, principles of US Government, health and physical education. Also, beginning with 4th grade, history and government of Rhode Island must be taught. In high school, the U.S. Constitution and Rhode Island Constitution must be taught.”Yes
South
Carolina 
Ages 5-17Yes“The curriculum must include but not be limited to the basic instructional areas of reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies, and in grades seven through 12, composition and literature; and d) education records must be maintained by the parent-teacher.”
Yes
South DakotaAges 6-18noneLanguage arts and mathematicsYes
TennesseeAges 6-17Depends on the type of homeschool you have. noneYes
TexasAges 6-19none“Homeschool curriculum must be designed to meet a minimum of basic education goals including reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics, and a study of good citizenship.”No
UtahAges 6-18nonenoneYes
VirginiaAges 5-18YesnoneYes
VermontAges 6-16Yes“Home study programs in Vermont must provide a minimum course of study in the following fields: basic communication, including reading, writing, and the use of numbers; citizenship, history, and government in Vermont and the United States; physical education and comprehensive health education; English, American, and other literature; the natural sciences; and the fine arts.”Yes
WashingtonAges 8-18Yes“Curriculum and instruction in the basic skills of occupational education, science, mathematics, language, social
studies, history, health, reading, writing, and spelling, and the development of an appreciation of art and music.”
Yes
WisconsinAges 6-18 none“Sequentially progressive curriculum of fundamental instruction in reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, and health.”Yes
West Virginia  Ages 6-17Yes Reading, language, math, science, social studies.Yes
WyomingAges 7-16none“Home-based educational programs shall provide for “a sequentially progressive curriculum of fundamental instruction in reading, writing, mathematics, civics, history, literature, and science.”Yes
*Please note that this information was taken from each state’s Department of Education website page. We have found that some states have “laws” at the state level that are not enforced or are enforced differently at the local level. This does tend to cause confusion, however, when in doubt give your local district a call.  This is why it is important to understand what your state requires from you as a homeschooling family.

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