Homeschool Requirements in Arizona

Arizona keeps homeschooling simple. You file one affidavit with your county, teach five subjects, and that's it. The one thing that trips families up is the ESA, which is a separate path. Here's all of it, in plain English.

Natalie Riggs

Homeschool mom of two and co-founder of Packet Day

✓ Last verified October 2026 against the Arizona Revised Statutes on azleg.gov

The short answer ⚡

Yes, once. Within 30 days of starting, file an affidavit of intent with your county school superintendent, plus a birth certificate or other proof of age. Teach reading, grammar, math, social studies and science. There's no testing, and you don't renew it each year.

Arizona at a glance 📋

Notify the county: Yes, once; An affidavit of intent within 30 days of starting
Proof of age: Yes; A birth certificate or other proof, within 30 days
Parent qualifications: None listed; The homeschool law doesn't list any
Subjects: Yes; Reading, grammar, math, social studies, and science
State testing: Not required; The law says homeschoolers aren't required to test
Days or hours: None set; The homeschool law doesn't set days or hours
Ages: 6 to 16; Or wait until 8 by filing an affidavit that says so

Pick your path 🛤️

Arizona law lets you choose a public, private or charter school, a homeschool, or an Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA). Here's how the home options compare:

How the Arizona homeschool paths compare
Path	What you file	Who you file with	Testing
Homeschool	What you fileAn affidavit of intent, once	Who you file withYour county school superintendent	TestingNone required
ESA	What you fileAn ESA contract, renewed every year	Who you file withThe Arizona Department of Education	TestingNone in the ESA law
Online charter school	What you fileEnrollment with the school	Who you file withThe school	TestingPublic school testing

At home

1. Homeschool by affidavit

A homeschool is "a nonpublic school conducted primarily by the parent, guardian or other person who has custody of the child." You file one affidavit of intent with your county school superintendent and teach the five required subjects.

Scholarship option

2. Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA)

Since the 2022 to 2023 school year, any Arizona resident who can enroll in a public school can apply. ESA parents sign a contract with the state that counts as school attendance, teach the same five subjects, and agree not to file a homeschool affidavit. It's a separate path, not a kind of homeschool.

Public option

3. Public, charter, or online charter school

Maricopa County says not to file a homeschool affidavit for a child in a virtual charter school. It's public school at home.

Private option

4. Private school

Private school families file an affidavit of intent with the county too, stating that the child attends a regularly organized private school.

Your Arizona homeschool, step by step 📝

Everything runs on 30 day clocks: 30 days after you start, and 30 days after you stop. The affidavit goes to your county school superintendent, not your school district.

What goes in your affidavit

Your child's name and date of birth
The current address of your homeschool
The names, phone numbers and addresses of the people who have custody of your child
Proof of age: a certified copy of the birth certificate, or other reliable proof with an affidavit explaining why there's no birth certificate. The county copies it and gives it back.
Counties ask for the affidavit to be notarized. Maricopa County offers a notary at no charge.

Decide your path. Don't file a homeschool affidavit if your child has an ESA or attends an online charter school.
Within 30 days of starting: file your affidavit of intent with your county school superintendent. Maricopa County takes it online, by mail, or in person.
Within the same 30 days: give the county a birth certificate or other proof of age.
All year: teach reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies and science.
If you stop: tell the county superintendent within 30 days. If you start again later, file a new affidavit within 30 days.

Waiting until age 8

If your child isn't 8 by September 1 and you'd like to wait on formal lessons, file an affidavit that says you don't want to begin homeschool instruction yet

Sports at your public school

Homeschoolers can try out for interscholastic activities at the public school for your area, the same way enrolled students do
You send written verification of passing grades and satisfactory progress
A child who was enrolled in a school this year has to wait until the next school year

If the county doesn't get proof of age

The county sends a written notice. Unless you provide it within 10 days, the case is referred to local law enforcement.

Source: A.R.S. 15-802: School instruction and the affidavit of intent

Want this as a printable? Get the free Arizona checklist.

Records to keep 🗂️

Arizona's homeschool law doesn't ask you to keep or turn in records. A small file still makes life easier, especially if your child goes back to school or tries out for sports:

A copy of your filed affidavit and anything the county sends backOur suggestion
Work samples and a reading list helpful if your child enrolls in school laterOur suggestion
A simple record of grades and progress for the written verification school sports ask forOur suggestion

One folder covers all of it.

Testing: what Arizona actually requires 🧪

None while you homeschool. Arizona law says it doesn't require "the testing of children who are instructed in a homeschool program while they are receiving homeschool instruction."

If your child later enrolls in a public school, the school tests them to decide the right grade placement. The ESA law doesn't require a test either.

What to teach 📚

Arizona law asks for instruction in at least five subjects. You choose your own curriculum and materials:

Ages 6 to 16: reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies, and science

Arizona's homeschool law doesn't set days or hours, and no one approves your materials.

5 mistakes new Arizona homeschoolers make ⚠️

1. Missing the 30 day window.
The affidavit is due within 30 days of starting, and so is the birth certificate or other proof of age.
2. Sending it to your school district.
It goes to your county school superintendent.
3. Filing a homeschool affidavit while on an ESA.
The ESA contract says you won't file one. An online charter school is public school, so it doesn't need one either.
4. Forgetting to tell the county when you stop.
Notify the county superintendent within 30 days, and file a new affidavit if you start again.
5. Expecting school sports right after leaving school.
A child who was enrolled in a school during the year can't take part in interscholastic activities for the rest of that school year.

Arizona homeschool FAQ 💬

Do I need to notify anyone to homeschool in Arizona?

Yes, once. Within 30 days of starting, file an affidavit of intent with your county school superintendent, not your school district. Within that same 30 days, give the county a certified copy of your child's birth certificate or other reliable proof of age. You don't renew it each year.

What goes in the Arizona affidavit of intent?

Your child's name and date of birth, the address of your homeschool, and the names, phone numbers and addresses of the people with custody. Counties ask for it to be notarized, and Maricopa County offers a notary for free. Include the birth certificate or other proof of age.

What subjects do I have to teach in Arizona?

The law asks for at least reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies and science. You choose your own curriculum and materials. Arizona's homeschool law doesn't set days or hours, and it doesn't ask you to keep or turn in records, though keeping a simple file is a smart idea.

Do Arizona homeschoolers take standardized tests?

No. State law says children being homeschooled aren't required to be tested. If your child later enrolls in a public school, the school will test them to decide the right grade placement, so keeping work samples and a reading list can help that conversation go smoothly.

What age does homeschooling start in Arizona?

Arizona's attendance law covers ages 6 to 16. If your child isn't 8 by September 1 and you'd like to wait on formal lessons until then, you can file an affidavit that says so. Maricopa County's form has a line to initial for exactly this choice.

What happens when we stop homeschooling?

Tell your county school superintendent within 30 days that your child is no longer being homeschooled. Maricopa County has a withdrawal form for this. If you decide to homeschool again later, file a new affidavit of intent with the county within 30 days of starting back up.

Is an ESA the same as homeschooling in Arizona?

No. An Empowerment Scholarship Account is a separate option. ESA parents sign a contract that counts as school attendance, agree to teach the same five subjects, and promise not to file a homeschool affidavit. The state sends your county a list of ESA students instead. Pick one path, not both.

Can my homeschooler play sports at our public school?

Yes. Homeschoolers can try out for interscholastic activities at the public school for your area, under the same rules as enrolled students. You send written verification of passing grades and progress. A child who left a school this year has to wait until the next school year.

Get your free Arizona checklist ✅

We turned this whole page into a 1 page printable checklist: every affidavit step, every subject, every 30 day deadline. Stick it in your homeschool binder and you're covered.

Plus, make your first learning packet free. 11 to 17 pages, generated around your kiddo in a minute or two.

Sources 📖

A.R.S. 15-802: School instruction and the affidavit of intent (checked October 2026)
A.R.S. 15-828: Birth certificate for homeschooled children (checked October 2026)
A.R.S. 15-745: Homeschooled children and testing (checked October 2026)
A.R.S. 15-802.01: Interscholastic activities (checked October 2026)
A.R.S. 15-803: School attendance exemptions (checked October 2026)
A.R.S. 15-2401.01: Universal ESA eligibility (checked October 2026)
A.R.S. 15-2402: ESA contract and funds (checked October 2026)
Laws 2022, Chapter 388 (HB 2853): ESA expansion (checked October 2026)
Maricopa County School Superintendent: Homeschool (checked October 2026)

Last verified October 2026. Requirements are summarized from the sources above.

This page summarizes public information for general reference. It is not legal advice. Laws change; confirm current requirements with your county school superintendent or a qualified attorney before making decisions for your family.

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