By state

Homeschool laws & record-keeping by state

Last verified October 2026 against primary sources

Homeschooling is legal everywhere in the United States. What differs, and differs enormously, is how much paperwork stands between you and doing it. One family files a single form once and is finished. Another, a state line away, files a notice, a plan, four progress reports, and a year-end assessment. This page compares all 51 jurisdictions on the same six questions, with the law behind each answer.

Pick your state in Homeschoolio and it counts the days and hours that state requires as you log, reminds you before each deadline, and fills in the paperwork from your records.

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How we rate each state

The level is worked out from the table below, by four written rules, and describes only what the state asks of you. Where a state offers several routes, we rate the standard route for a parent teaching their own child, and the row names the others.

No notice (13): No notice, registration or approval is needed to start. Some of these states still set subjects or ask you to keep records.
Low (16): A notice or registration, and nothing reviewed by the district or state.
Moderate (18): A notice or registration, plus a required test or evaluation, or a portfolio the district or state can ask to see.
High (4): The district must approve your plan before you start, or you file a yearly plan or objectives and periodic reports on top of an annual test or evaluation.

The least regulated states, by this measure, are the 13 rated No notice: they ask for no notice, registration, or approval to start.

At a glance

Every number here is counted from the table rows. Open a list to see which states it covers.

13 of 51 need no notice, registration, or approval to start. 38 do.
See the 13 states
Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Texas, Wyoming.
4 of these (Indiana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Wyoming) still ask for a form when you withdraw a child from a public school.
23 of 51 require a test, an evaluation, or a portfolio review. In 11 of them you submit results at least in some years.
See the 23 states
Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia.
16 of 51 set a minimum number of instructional days or hours in law, 11 of them as days. Where an agency only suggests a figure, the table says so and the state is not counted.
See the 16 states
Colorado, Georgia, Kansas, Maine, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin.

Compare every state

Select a state name for its full walkthrough and deadlines. The Law column links the statute, rule, or agency page behind the row. Scroll sideways on a phone; the state column stays in place.

Download the table as CSV, with every field's citation and source link.

Homeschool requirements for all 50 states and the District of Columbia, verified October 2026
State	Level	Notice or registration	Required subjects	Days or hours	Testing or evaluation	Records	Parent qualifications	Law	Verified
Alabama	Low	File a church school enrollment form with the local superintendent	None set for the church school route	None set for the church school route	None for the church school route	Church school keeps an attendance register	None for the church school route	Ala. Code §16-28-7 Ala. Code §16-28-5 (tutor route only)Ala. Code §16-28-8	Oct 2026
Alaska	No notice	None for a parent teaching their own child at home	None for the home exemption	None for the home exemption	No testing or evaluation	None required	None for the parent or legal guardian	AS 14.30.010(b)(12)AS 14.45.110(b) (private school rout…	Oct 2026
Arizona	Low	File an affidavit of intent with the county school superintendent	Reading, grammar, math, social studies, science	None set for a homeschool	No testing required	None required	None	A.R.S. §15-802(B)(2), (C)A.R.S. §15-745	Oct 2026
Arkansas	Low	File a notice of intent with the district superintendent each year by Aug 15	None set by the state	None set for a home school	No testing required	None required	None	Ark. Code §6-15-503 6 CAR §33-104(g)ADE Commissioner's Memo COM-25-076	Oct 2026
California	Low	File a private school affidavit with the state each October 1-15	The branches taught in public schools (English, math, science, more)	None set for a home-based private school	No state testing or evaluation	Attendance register, courses of study, instructor qualifications	Instructor must be 'capable of teaching'; no credential named	Cal. Educ. Code §33190, §48222 Cal. Educ. Code §48222	Oct 2026
Colorado	Moderate	Notify a school district 14 days before starting, then every year	Reading, writing, speaking, math, history, civics, literature, science	172 days, averaging 4 instructional hours a day	Test or evaluation in grades 3, 5, 7, 9, 11; submit to the district or a school	Keep attendance, test results and immunization records permanently	None; parent is exempt from teacher licensing	C.R.S. §22-33-104.5(3)(e)C.R.S. §22-33-104.5(3)(f), (5)	Oct 2026
Connecticut	No notice	None required by law. The state asks you to tell your districtPublic Act 26-37 (2026): from July 1, 2027 withdrawing a child to learn at home needs an in-person form and a DCF records check. From 2028-29 an annual intent form is due each October 1.	Reading, writing, spelling, grammar, geography, math, U.S. history, citizenship	No minimum days or hours in state law	None required. No testing or report is set by law	None required. The state suggests an attendance log and portfolio	None	Conn. Gen. Stat. §10-184 cga.ct.gov SDE Homeschooling in Connecticut ove…	Oct 2026
Delaware	Low	Register with the state DOE, then report enrollment by Sept 30 each year	No subjects listed for a single-family homeschool	No minimum days or hours set. You report days open and days attended	None required	No records required. The state recommends a portfolio	None	14 Del. C. §§2703A, 2704 14 Del. C. §§2703, 2703A 14 Del. C. §§2703A, 2704(a)	Oct 2026
District of Columbia	Moderate	Notify OSSE 15 business days before starting, then every year by Aug 15	Language arts, math, science, social studies, art, music, health, PE	No set number of days or hours. Instruction must be regular and thorough	No testing. OSSE may review your portfolio up to twice a year	Keep a portfolio of work samples for at least 1 year	High school diploma or equivalent, or an OSSE waiver	5-E DCMR §§5202, 5203	Oct 2026
Florida	Moderate	File a notice of intent with the district superintendent within 30 days of starting	No required subjects in the home education law	No minimum days or hours. Not bound by the school day	Annual evaluation (teacher review, test or other) filed with the district	Keep a portfolio (activity log and work samples) for 2 years	None. No teaching certificate needed	Fla. Stat. §1002.41(1)(a)-(c)Fla. Stat. §§1002.01(1), 1002.41(13)…	Oct 2026
Georgia	Moderate	File a declaration of intent with the state DOE within 30 days, then by Sept 1 yearly	Reading, language arts, math, social studies, science	180 days a year, at least 4.5 hours each day	Nationally normed test at least every 3 years from grade 3, kept by parent	Keep test records and annual progress reports (reports for 3 years)	High school diploma or state-approved equivalency (HSE)	O.C.G.A. §20-2-690(c)(1)-(2)	Oct 2026
Hawaii	Moderate	Send a one-time notice of intent (Form 4140 or letter) to the school principal	No required list. You record the subject areas you plan to teach	No minimum days or hours. Keep a record of hours per week	Annual progress report to the principal; test scores in grades 3, 5, 8, 10	Keep a written record of your planned curriculum	None. The parent is deemed a qualified instructor	HAR §8-12-13	Oct 2026
Idaho	No notice	None. No registration or sign-up	Subjects commonly taught in Idaho public schools; no list	No set number of days or hours	None required	None required; SDE recommends keeping your own	None. No teaching license required	Idaho Code §33-202 legislature.idaho.gov Idaho Dept. of Education, Home Schoo…	Oct 2026
Illinois	No notice	None. Registration with ISBE is voluntary	Six public-school areas, taught in English	No minimum days or hours	No testing required; any results stay with the parent	None required; parent decides what to keep	No credential. ISBE says the teacher must be competent	105 ILCS 5/26-1 ISBE Home Schooling FAQ	Oct 2026
Indiana	No notice	No registration. Tell your child's school you are withdrawing	None set by state law	No number in law; IDOE says families should teach 180 days	None required	Daily attendance record, shown only on request	None	IC 20-33-2-21, 20-33-2-28.6 IC 20-33-2-12(a)IC 20-33-2-20	Oct 2026
Iowa	No notice	None for IPI or CPI opt-out reporting; Form A (Sept 1) for other CPIA 2026 law (HF 2754) removed the limits on independent private instruction.	Math, reading and language arts, science, social studies	None for independent private instruction; CPI needs 148 days	None for independent private instruction	None required; report on request names teacher and students	None; teacher license only for CPI Option 1	Iowa Code §299A.1(2)(b)Iowa Code §299A.1(2)(b)(3) as amende…Iowa Code §299A.1-299A.2	Oct 2026
Kansas	Low	Register the school's name and address once with KSDE	None set for nonaccredited private schools	186 days of 6+ hours, or 1,116 hours (grades 1-11)	None required	None required; KSDE advises keeping progress records	'Competent instructor' required; no license needed	K.S.A. 72-4346 K.S.A. 72-3217 K.S.A. 72-3120(a)(2)	Oct 2026
Kentucky	Low	Annual letter to district superintendent within 2 weeks of school start	None set for non-certified homeschools	No minimum; KDE suggests 170 days and 1,062 hours	None required	Keep attendance and grades; open to inspection	None; KDE may not set teacher certification	KRS 159.030(1)(b)KRS 158.080 KRS 159.040	Oct 2026
Louisiana	Moderate	Apply to the state within 15 days of starting, then renew every year	No subject list; curriculum must equal public school quality	No minimum in the home study statute; LDOE guidelines say 180 days	Renewal needs a test score, work packet or certified teacher letter	No record rule; renewal needs a work packet, test score or teacher letter	None; no teaching certification required	La. R.S. 17:236.1(A)-(B)La. R.S. 17:236(A)-(B)LDOE, BESE-Approved Home Study Progr…	Oct 2026
Maine	Moderate	Notice within 10 days of starting, then a letter by Sept 1 each year	English, math, science, social studies, PE, health, library, arts, Maine studies	175 days a year; no hours requirement	Yearly test or review, sent in with the Sept 1 letter	Keep copies of filings and assessments until home instruction ends	None set by law	20-A M.R.S. §5001-A(3)(A)(4)(a)-(b)	Oct 2026
Maryland	Moderate	File the state form 15 days before starting, then verify each year	English, math, science, social studies, art, music, health, PE	No set days or hours; instruction must be regular during the school year	District portfolio review each semester, up to 3 a year; no state test	Keep a portfolio of materials and work samples	None; no teacher certification required	COMAR 13A.10.01.01B MSDE Home Instruction FAQs	Oct 2026
Massachusetts	High	District must approve your plan in advance; notify the district first	Public school subjects apply: reading, writing, math, history, health, PE	No state minimum; the district may weigh hours and year length	Test, progress reports or work samples, as set in your approved plan	No state rule; the district may ask for plans, materials and samples	No license or degree; the district may ask about credentials	M.G.L. c. 76 §1 Care and Protection of Charles, 399…DESE Home Schooling page	Oct 2026
Michigan	No notice	None; registering with the state is optional	Reading, spelling, math, science, history, civics, literature, writing, grammar	No minimum days or hours set	None required; state tests are optional through the local district	None required; parents are encouraged to keep progress records	None, but the teacher must be the child's parent or guardian	MCL 380.1561(3)(f)legislature.mi.gov MCL 380.1561(3)(f) (read in full)	Oct 2026
Minnesota	Moderate	Report to the district by Oct 1 (or 15 days after withdrawing), then a letter each Oct 1	Reading, writing, literature, arts, math, science, social studies, health, PE	No minimum days or hours	Yearly nationally normed test, ages 7-16; parent keeps the results	Keep class schedules, materials and proof that tests were given	No license or degree for a parent, who must test the child yearly	Minn. Stat. §120A.24, subd. 1 Minn. Stat. §120A.22, subd. 9 Minn. Stat. 120A.22 and 120A.24 (rea…	Oct 2026
Mississippi	Low	File a certificate of enrollment with the attendance officer by Aug 15 each yearThe certificate deadline moved from Sept 15 to Aug 15 on July 1, 2026 (SB 2103).	None set by state law	No minimum days or hours set for home instruction	No testing or evaluation required	None required. MDE advises keeping a copy of the form and a portfolio	None	Miss. Code Ann. §37-13-91(3)Miss. Code Ann. §37-13-91(9)	Oct 2026
Missouri	No notice	None required. Written notice removes a child from public school rolls	600 of the 1,000 hours in reading, language arts, math, social studies, science	1,000 hours a year; 600 in core subjects, 400 of those at the home location	No test. Parent keeps a record of evaluations of progress	Plan book or diary, work samples, record of evaluations (or equivalent)	None	RSMo 167.042 (as amended by SB 63, e…RSMo 167.012.2(2)	Oct 2026
Montana	Low	Notify the county superintendent each school fiscal year	Subjects public schools must teach (Board of Public Education rules)	720 hours a year in grades 1-3; 1,080 hours in grades 4-12	No testing or evaluation required	Attendance records, shown to the county superintendent on request	None	MCA 20-5-109(2)(a)MCA 20-5-109(2)(c)MCA 20-5-102(2)(e)	Oct 2026
Nebraska	Low	File a Statement of Election and Assurances with NDE by July 15 each year	Basic skills in language arts, math, science, social studies and health	1,032 hours a year in elementary grades; 1,080 in high school	No testing or evaluation required	Immunization proof unless religious election; attendance, transcript advised	No diploma or certificate. Barred if convicted of listed felonies	Neb. Rev. Stat. §79-1601(2)-(3)Neb. Rev. Stat. §79-1601(2), (4)(c)Neb. Rev. Stat. §79-211	Oct 2026
Nevada	Low	File a notice of intent with the district superintendent once, before you start	Educational plan covers English language arts, math, science, social studies	No minimum days or hours set by state law	No testing, evaluation or progress report required	No logs or portfolios. Keep your plan and proof of identity ready for a court	None	NRS 388D.020	Oct 2026
New Hampshire	No notice	None to begin. Declaration when leaving public school or using district programsRewritten in 2026 (HB 1268, effective July 1, 2026): the portfolio and annual evaluation were repealed.	None set by state law	No minimum days or hours set by state law	No test, evaluation or portfolio review required	No portfolio or records required	None	RSA 193-A:3 RSA 193-A:1, IV RSA 193-A:4, III	Oct 2026
New Jersey	No notice	No notice required in most cases; a transfer form applies when leaving public high school	No required subjects. Instruction must be equivalent to public schools.	No minimum days or hours set for home instruction	No testing or evaluation required	No state record keeping rule for parents	None. No teacher certification required	N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25 and 18A:38-31	Oct 2026
New Mexico	Low	Register with the PED within 30 days of starting, then renew by Aug 1 each year	Reading, language arts, math, social studies, science	No hour minimum in the home school law; PED FAQ cites 1,140 hours	No testing required	Keep immunization records or a waiver; other records optional	Instructor needs a high school diploma or equivalent	NMSA 1978 §22-1-2.1(A)NMSA 1978 §22-1-2.1 (no hours)	Oct 2026
New York	High	Letter of intent to the superintendent by July 1 each year, then an IHIP	Core subjects, health, arts and PE, listed by grade band	180 days, plus 900 hours (grades 1-6) or 990 hours (grades 7-12)	Annual test, or narrative in grades 1-8 only; filed with 4th quarterly report	Keep attendance records; the district may ask to see them	None. No credentials required	8 NYCRR §100.10(b)-(d)NYSED home instruction Q&A	Oct 2026
North Carolina	Moderate	One Notice of Intent to the state DNPE before starting; no yearly renewal	No required subjects in the home school law	No day or hour count; must run on a regular schedule 9 months a year	Annual nationally standardized test; results kept, not submitted	Keep attendance, immunization and test records	Teacher needs a high school diploma or equivalent	N.C.G.S. §115C-564 N.C.G.S. §115C-563 to -565 N.C.G.S. §115C-564 (home school meet…	Oct 2026
North Dakota	Moderate	Statement of intent to the superintendent 5 days before starting, then yearly	Same subjects public schools must teach (ELA, math, social studies, science)	At least 4 hours a day for 175 days a year	Test in grades 4, 6, 8, 10; results filed; exemptions available	Keep an annual record of courses and progress, including test results	High school diploma or GED, or monitoring for two years	N.D.C.C. §15.1-23-02	Oct 2026
Ohio	Low	Notice to your superintendent within 5 days of starting, then by Aug 30 yearly	English language arts, math, science, history, government, social studies	No minimum days or hours	No testing or evaluation required	No record keeping required by state law	None required	ORC §3321.042(C)ORC §3321.042 (read in full)	Oct 2026
Oklahoma	No notice	None required by law; SDE suggests telling the district	None set for home schools; SDE lists 10 subjects as guidance	No day or hour count; law says other means run the district's full term	None required; no state testing for home schools	No state record rules; SDE says show documentation on re-entry	None; no certified teacher required	SDE home school page 70 O.S. §10-105(A)-(B)	Oct 2026
Oregon	Moderate	One-time written notice to the ESD within 10 days; again if you move	None set; families choose their own curriculum	No minimum days or hours for parent-taught children	Nationally normed test in grades 3, 5, 8, 10; send scores to ESD on request	Keep test scores to send to the ESD on request; no other record rules	None for the parent	ORS 339.035(2)ORS 339.030(1)(e)ORS 339.035(3)(c)-(d)	Oct 2026
Pennsylvania	High	Notarized affidavit (or unsworn declaration) to the superintendent by Aug 1 yearly	Statute lists required courses for elementary and secondary levels	180 days, or 900 hours (elementary) or 990 hours (secondary), per year	Tests in grades 3, 5, 8 kept in portfolio; evaluator's certification due June 30	Portfolio of log, work samples, test results and evaluation, kept on file	Parent supervisor needs a high school diploma or equivalent	24 P.S. §13-1327.1(b)(1)	Oct 2026
Rhode Island	High	Get school committee approval of your at-home instruction plan before starting	Seven subjects in §16-19-2, plus civics, health and physical education	Must be 'substantially equal' to public schools: 180 days, 1,080 hours	No state test; you and the school committee agree how progress is evaluated	Keep attendance registers; reports go to the superintendent or designee	None; the plan must show 'thorough and efficient' instruction	R.I. Gen. Laws §16-19-1(a), §16-19-2 R.I. Gen. Laws §16-19-2(3), §16-22-2…RIDE at-home instruction guidance (r…	Oct 2026
South Carolina	Moderate	Option 1: district board approval first. Options 2 and 3: join an association	Reading, writing, math, science, social studies; composition, literature 7-12	180 days a year; Option 1 adds a 4.5 hour day	Option 1: annual statewide tests, semiannual reports. Options 2-3: no state test	Plan book, work portfolio, evaluations; semiannual progress report	Diploma or GED, or bachelor's degree (Option 1); Options 2-3: diploma or GED	S.C. Code §59-65-40(A)-(B), §59-65-4…	Oct 2026
South Dakota	Low	One-time notification to the state DOE or the district within 30 days	Basic skills of language arts and mathematics	No minimum days or hours	No testing or evaluation required	None required by law (DOE recommends keeping a record)	None. Teacher need not be certified	SDCL 13-27-3 sdlegislature.gov SDCL 13-27-7	Oct 2026
Tennessee	Moderate	Annual Intent to Home School form to the district before each school yearSince May 1, 2026 (Pub. Ch. 912) parents may pick a nationally normed test instead of the state test.	None listed. Parent picks the curriculum	180 days, at least 4 hours a day	Grades 5, 7, 9: parent-chosen national test or state test; results submitted	Attendance records, sent to the district at year end	High school diploma or equivalency credential	Tenn. Code Ann. §49-6-3050(b)(1)TN DOE Independent Home School Requi…Tenn. Code Ann. §49-6-3050(b)(5)(A)-…	Oct 2026
Texas	No notice	No notice or registration required	Written curriculum: reading, spelling, grammar, math, good citizenship	No minimum days or hours	No testing or evaluation required	No state record-keeping requirement	None	Tex. Educ. Code §25.086(a)(1)Texas Education Agency v. Leeper, 89…Tex. Educ. Code §1.010	Oct 2026
Utah	Low	One-time notice of intent to the district school board (a letter is enough)	None required. Parent chooses subjects and materials	No minimum days or hours	No testing or evaluation required	None. Districts may not require records	None. No license, degree or training required	Utah Code §53G-6-204(3)-(5)Utah Code §53G-6-204(2)(a), (2)(c)	Oct 2026
Vermont	Moderate	Notice of intent to the Agency of Education, then an annual notice each year	Six areas under 13; four areas at 13 and older (no PE, health or fine arts)	175 days of instruction per year (equivalent)	Year-end assessment of your choice, kept by the parent, not submitted	Keep the year-end assessment record; no need to send it	None stated in the statute	16 V.S.A. §166b(a), (b), (c), (k)16 V.S.A. §906(b)16 V.S.A. §166b(a)(3)	Oct 2026
Virginia	Moderate	Annual notice of intent to the division superintendent by Aug 15	No required subjects; the yearly notice lists the subjects you plan	No days or hours in home instruction law; attendance law cites school schedule	Yearly test (4th stanine+) or evaluation, sent to the district by Aug 1	No homeschool records required; immunization proof on request	Meet 1 of 4: diploma, teaching license, program of study, or proof	Va. Code §22.1-254.1(B)Va. Code §22.1-254(A)Va. Code §22.1-271.4	Oct 2026
Washington	Moderate	Annual signed declaration of intent to the district by Sept 15	Eleven named subjects, from reading and math to art and music	1,000 hours a year, matching approved private schools	Yearly approved test or certificated-teacher assessment; you keep it	Keep test or assessment results and immunization records; forward on transfer	Certified-teacher supervision, 45 quarter credits, or district approval	RCW 28A.200.010(1)(a)RCW 28A.225.010(4)RCW 28A.195.010(1)	Oct 2026
West Virginia	Moderate	One-time notice of intent to the county superintendent	Reading, language, math, science and social studies	No set year on the notice route; county-approved route: 900 hours	Yearly assessment; submit results in grades 3, 5, 8, 11 by June 30	Keep copies of each yearly assessment for 3 years	High school diploma or equivalent, or a post-secondary degree or certificate	W. Va. Code §18-8-1(c)(2)(A)W. Va. Code §18-8-1(c)(2)	Oct 2026
Wisconsin	Low	File online form PI-1206 with DPI each year by Oct 15	Six subjects: reading, language arts, math, social studies, science, health	875 hours of instruction each school year	None. State law requires no testing or assessment	No state record requirement; DPI recommends keeping records	None. No minimum education and no teaching license required	Wis. Stat. §115.30(3)Wis. Stat. §118.165(1)(d)DPI Home-Based Private Educational P…	Oct 2026
Wyoming	No notice	None to start. Withdrawing a child from school: notify the district or sign consent	Reading, writing, math, civics, history, literature and science	No day or hour count; attendance law refers to the public school calendar	None in state law	No record requirement in state law	None stated; the parent or a designee teaches	Wyo. Stat. §21-4-102(b)-(c)	Oct 2026

How this table was made

Every cell comes from the state's own law (a statute, an administrative rule, or a court decision where the state has no statute) or from its education agency's guidance, and the Law column links the page. Each fact was checked twice: first against the source, with the passage that supports it quoted, and then again by an independent second check that tried to find errors. The last full verification was in October 2026. We check the full table every year, and sooner when a legislature changes the law.

"None" means the source says there is none, or the statute was read in full and says nothing. A requirement we could not source is left out of the table.
Where an agency suggests a figure the law does not require, the cell says so, and the state is not counted as setting a minimum.
Where the law is unclear, the cell says that instead of picking an answer.
Some states offer more than one route, such as an umbrella school or an association. The row describes the standard route and names the others, and your state page goes further.
Changes that have been enacted but are not yet in force are flagged in the row.

This is general information, not legal advice. Requirements vary by district and change over time, so confirm your state's current rules with the sources linked in each row.

How to cite this page

Homeschoolio, "Homeschool Laws by State (2026)," https://homeschoolio.com/states/, verified October 2026. To cite one state, link its row, for example https://homeschoolio.com/states/#texas.

Browse by regulation level

High Approval before you start, or a yearly plan and periodic reports on top of an annual test or evaluation.

Massachusetts→New York→Pennsylvania→Rhode Island→

Moderate A notice, plus a required test, evaluation, or portfolio the district or state can review.

Colorado→District of Columbia→Florida→Georgia→Hawaii→Louisiana→Maine→Maryland→Minnesota→North Carolina→North Dakota→Oregon→South Carolina→Tennessee→Vermont→Virginia→Washington→West Virginia→

Low A notice or registration, and nothing reviewed by the district or state.

Alabama→Arizona→Arkansas→California→Delaware→Kansas→Kentucky→Mississippi→Montana→Nebraska→Nevada→New Mexico→Ohio→South Dakota→Utah→Wisconsin→

No notice No notice, registration, or approval needed to start.

Alaska→Connecticut→Idaho→Illinois→Indiana→Iowa→Michigan→Missouri→New Hampshire→New Jersey→Oklahoma→Texas→Wyoming→

Common questions

Is homeschooling legal in every state?

Yes. Homeschooling is legal in all fifty states and the District of Columbia. What changes from state to state is how much you have to tell the government about it, and what you have to keep on file. Of the 51 jurisdictions on this page, 38 ask for a notice, registration, or approval to start, and 13 ask for none.

Which are the least regulated states for homeschooling?

By the criteria above, the least regulated states are the 13 that need no notice, registration, or approval to start: Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Texas, Wyoming. "Least regulated" describes what the state asks of you and says nothing about how easy it is to homeschool there. Several of these states still set subjects, ask you to keep records, or require a form when you withdraw a child from a public school, so check your state's row.

Which state has the strictest homeschool laws?

4 jurisdictions fall into the high tier: Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island. In two (Massachusetts and Rhode Island), the district must approve your plan before you start. In the other two (New York and Pennsylvania), you file an instruction plan or objectives and further reports during the year on top of an annual test or evaluation. New York is the usual answer, because it stacks a July 1 letter of intent, an annual instruction plan, four quarterly reports, and a year-end assessment into one year.

Which states require no notice at all?

13 of the 51 jurisdictions do not require you to notify anyone to start homeschooling: Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Texas, Wyoming. 4 of them (Indiana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Wyoming) still ask for a notice or form when you withdraw a child from a public school. That does not always mean no rules: several of these states still expect you to teach particular subjects, or to keep attendance in case anyone asks.

Do I have to give my child standardized tests?

Only in some states. 23 of the 51 jurisdictions require a test, an evaluation, or a portfolio review, and 11 of those make you submit the results at least in some years. The rest require none. The testing column says whether results are submitted or only kept.

How many days a year do I have to homeschool?

It depends entirely on the state. 16 of the 51 jurisdictions set a minimum number of instructional days or hours for a home school in law: 11 state a number of days, and the rest state hours only. In the others the law sets no figure, although some agencies suggest one and the table says so. Where a day count exists it falls between 172 and 186.

What happens if I move to a different state?

You take on the new state's rules, not the ones you left, and usually from the point you establish residency or begin instruction there. A notice filed in your old state does not transfer. Your records do travel with you though, and days, hours, and coursework completed elsewhere still count toward a transcript.

Keep reading

Sources

The rules, dates, and figures on this page were checked in October 2026 against each state's own law and its education agency's guidance. Start there when you need the letter of the law.

Show the sources for all 51 states

Homeschoolio helps you keep records. It isn't legal advice. Homeschool requirements vary by district and change over time, so always verify your state and district's current rules.