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Homeschool Requirements by State

Plain English guides to homeschooling legally in your state, checked against official sources.

Natalie Riggs

Homeschool mom of two and co-founder of Packet Day

✓ Last verified

Popular states ⭐

All 50 states, plus DC 🗺️

We're writing these one state at a time and checking each against official sources. Greyed out states are on the way; tap Notify me and we'll email you when yours is ready.

  • Alabama
  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • District of Columbia
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming

How states differ ⚖️

Every state writes its own homeschool rules, so what one family files in one state can look nothing like what a family files next door. To make that easier to scan, each guide gives its state a regulation level. It's our own quick summary of how much a state asks of you, not an official label from any state.

  • Low regulation

    Little or no paperwork with the state.

  • Moderate regulation

    Some notice to the state or district, and sometimes an annual evaluation, testing, or set subjects.

  • High regulation

    More paperwork and oversight, like regular reports to the state or district, required assessments, or set subjects and hours.

California is a good example of low regulation. Most families there file a Private School Affidavit once a year and keep a few simple records. There's no state testing, and parents don't need a teaching credential. Texas is low too: there's nothing to file with the state, though you withdraw in writing if your child is enrolled in public school. Florida is our first moderate example: you file a notice with your county and an evaluation once a year. New York is our first high example: a yearly notice, a home instruction plan, four quarterly reports, and an annual assessment, all with your district. As more guides go live, we'll add more examples here.

The level is a quick way to see what you're in for, not the whole story. Every state is different, so check your state's guide before you start.

Get the checklist for your state

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Questions parents ask 💬

What's the difference between low and high regulation states?

Low regulation states ask for little or no paperwork. Moderate states usually want some notice to the state or district, and sometimes an annual evaluation, testing, or set subjects. High regulation states add more paperwork and oversight, like regular reports, required assessments, or set subjects and hours. Your state's guide spells out exactly what applies to you.

Do I need a teaching credential to homeschool?

It depends on your state and the legal path you choose. In California, for example, parents who file the Private School Affidavit don't need one. Check your state's guide for the rules where you live.

How do I know what my state requires?

Start typing your state in the finder at the top of this page. If its guide is ready, you'll go straight to it: what to file, which records to keep, and what your state doesn't require. If it isn't ready yet, tap Notify me and we'll email you when it is.

How often are these guides checked?

Each guide shows the date it was last verified, right under its title, along with the official sources it was checked against. We recheck every guide regularly against those sources, and when a rule changes, we update the guide and its date. Spot something out of date? Email us at hello@packetday.com.

Sources: every state guide lists the official sources it was checked against, with the date we checked each one.

These guides summarize public information for general reference. They are not legal advice. Laws change; confirm current requirements with your state's department of education or a qualified attorney before making decisions for your family.