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:
| STATE | COMPULSORY AGE | TEST or Assessment Required? | REQUIRED SUBJECTS | Notification Required? |
| Alabama | Ages 7-17 | none | none | Yes |
| Alaska | Ages 7-16 | none | none | No |
| Arizona | Ages 6-16 | none | Reading, grammar, math, social studies, and science. | Yes |
| Arkansas | Ages 5-17 | none | none | Yes |
| California | Ages 6-18 | none | Grades 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 |
| Colorado | Ages 6-16 | Yes | Reading, writing, speaking, mathematics, history, civics, literature, science, and the Constitution of the United States. | Yes |
| Connecticut | Ages 5-18 | none | Reading, writing, spelling, grammar, geography, arithmetic, United States history, including the study of the town, state, and federal governments, and citizenship. | No |
| Delaware | Ages 5-16 | none | none | Yes |
| Florida | Ages 6-16 | Yes | none | Yes |
| Georgia | Ages 6-16 | Yes | Instruction in reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science. | Yes |
| Hawaii | Ages 5-18 | Yes | none | Yes |
| Idaho | Ages 7-16 | none | “A homeschooled student must be comparably instructed to students in the public school” | No |
| Illinois | Ages 6-17 | none | Language arts, mathematics, the biological physical and social sciences, the fine arts, and physical development and health education. | No |
| Indiana | Age 7-18 | none | none | No |
| Iowa | Ages 6-16 | none | “Mathematics, reading and language arts, science, and social studies.” | No |
| Kansas | Ages 7-18 | Yes | none | Yes |
| Kentucky | Ages 6-18 | none | Reading, writing, spelling, grammar, history, mathematics, science, and civics. Must be in the English Language. | Yes |
| Louisiana | Ages 5-18 | none | none | Yes |
| Maine | Ages 6-17 | Yes | English 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 |
| Maryland | Ages 5-18 | No | English, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, health, and physical education | Yes |
| Massachusetts | Ages 6-16 | Yes | You need only provide a program that is equivalent to public but no requirements are set. | Yes |
| Michigan | Ages 6-18 | none | “Reading, spelling, mathematics, science, history, civics, literature, writing, and English grammar.” | No |
| Minnesota | Ages 7-17 | Yes | “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 |
| Mississippi | Ages 6-17 | none | none | Yes |
| Missouri | Ages 7-17 | none | Reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science. | No |
| Montana | Ages 7-16 | none | Communication 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 |
| Nebraska | Ages 6-18 | Yes | Language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and health. | Yes |
| Nevada | Ages 7-18 | none | “English (including reading, composition, and writing), mathematics, science and social studies (including history geography, economics and government)” | Yes |
| New Hampshire | Ages 6-18 | Yes | “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 Jersey | Ages 6-16 | none | none | No |
| New Mexico | Ages 5-18 | none | “Basic academic educational program, including reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science.” | Yes |
| New York | Ages 6-16 | Yes | “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 7-16 | Yes | none | Yes |
| North Dakota | Ages 7-16 | Yes | English 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 |
| Ohio | Ages 6-18 | Yes | Equivalent 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 |
| Oklahoma | Ages 5-18 | none | none | No |
| Oregon | Ages 6-18 | Yes | none | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | Ages 6-18 | Yes | Language arts, arithmetic, science, geography, history of the U.S., civics, safety education including fire prevention, health, physical education, music and art. | Yes |
| Rhode Island | Ages 6-18 | none | “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 5-17 | Yes | “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 Dakota | Ages 6-18 | none | Language arts and mathematics | Yes |
| Tennessee | Ages 6-17 | Depends on the type of homeschool you have. | none | Yes |
| Texas | Ages 6-19 | none | “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 |
| Utah | Ages 6-18 | none | none | Yes |
| Virginia | Ages 5-18 | Yes | none | Yes |
| Vermont | Ages 6-16 | Yes | “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 |
| Washington | Ages 8-18 | Yes | “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 |
| Wisconsin | Ages 6-18 | none | “Sequentially progressive curriculum of fundamental instruction in reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, and health.” | Yes |
| West Virginia | Ages 6-17 | Yes | Reading, language, math, science, social studies. | Yes |
| Wyoming | Ages 7-16 | none | “Home-based educational programs shall provide for “a sequentially progressive curriculum of fundamental instruction in reading, writing, mathematics, civics, history, literature, and science.” | Yes |
