Before you dive into lesson plans, curriculum shopping, or setting up a homeschool space, there’s one thing you need to know first, your state’s homeschool laws.
Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, but the exact requirements vary from state to state. Understanding your state’s rules will protect your right to homeschool and give you confidence that you’re doing it legally from day one.
A great place to start is the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA). They provide clear, regularly updated summaries of homeschool laws for each state, plus sample forms and helpful tips. You can compare your state’s requirements at a glance and then dig deeper into the details using your state’s official Department of Education website.
Don’t worry, once you understand what’s required, staying compliant is just part of your yearly homeschool routine.
Why Legal Compliance Matters
Knowing your state’s homeschool laws:
- Keeps you in good standing with local or state education officials.
- Protects your right to homeschool if it’s ever challenged.
- Helps you set up smart record-keeping and routines from the start.
- Gives you peace of mind so you can focus on teaching, not worrying.
Step 1: Learn Your State’s Homeschool Laws
Every state has compulsory education laws, specifying the ages during which children must receive an education. This is usually from age 5, 6, or 7 until age 16–18. Homeschooling is one way to fulfill this requirement, but the process varies.
Here’s what you might see in your state:
Notification or Enrollment Requirements
Some states require you to notify your local school district or state education department that you intend to homeschool, often with a letter of intent or official form.
Example: New York and North Carolina require a notice of intent.
Example: Texas and Illinois have no notification requirement.
Always check your state’s paperwork rules before starting.
Homeschool Statutes vs. Other Legal Options
Many states have specific homeschool laws that outline what’s required, such as record-keeping, required subjects, or annual assessments.
Other states allow homeschooling under a private school law or other exemption.
Example: In Texas and Indiana, homeschools are legally considered private schools.
Step 2: Know Your State’s Level of Regulation
States are often grouped into three categories based on oversight:
- Low-Regulation States:
- Little to no required paperwork, testing, or reporting.
- Examples: Idaho, Texas, Illinois, New Jersey, Alaska.
- Moderate-Regulation States:
- Annual notice plus some form of yearly evaluation.
- Examples: Florida (annual test or portfolio review), Washington (annual testing).
- High-Regulation States:
- More detailed oversight, like lesson plans, quarterly reports, and mandatory testing.
- Examples: New York (quarterly reports + annual test), Pennsylvania (portfolio + testing).
Step 3: Check the Compulsory School Age
If your child is not yet school-aged, you might not need to file anything yet.
Example: California & Florida require schooling from age 6.
Example: Washington starts at age 8.
Still, if you join a charter or umbrella program early, you may need to follow their requirements even for younger children.
Step 4: Find and Confirm Accurate Information
Laws can change, so always double-check the current requirements:
- Your state’s Department of Education homeschool page.
- HSLDA’s State Laws summaries.
- Local homeschool groups or state homeschool associations (great for examples and real-life tips).
- Trusted homeschool websites.
Step 5: Common Requirements to Look For
When researching your state’s law, pay attention to:
- Notification: Who to notify, when, and how.
- Teacher Qualifications: Some states require a diploma or degree.
- Required Days or Hours: Minimum days or instructional hours per year.
- Required Subjects: A list of subjects you must teach.
- Record-Keeping Rules: What records to keep and for how long.
- Assessments/Evaluations: Type (test, portfolio, review), grade levels, deadlines.
- Health Forms: Some states require proof of immunizations or health checks.
Step 6: Turn Your Research Into a Simple System
Once you know your state’s requirements:
- Mark Deadlines on Your Calendar: Testing dates, notices, portfolio due dates.
- Create a Homeschool Binder: Keep forms, letters, attendance logs, and work samples.
- Keep Digital Backups: Scan important documents for extra security.
FREE RESOURCE: State Homeschool Law Checklist
To make this even easier, I created a State Homeschool Law Checklist you can fill out for your state.
It walks you through:
- Notification requirements.
- Teacher qualifications (if any).
- Required days/hours.
- Subjects to teach.
- Record-keeping rules.
- Testing or evaluations.
- Health form requirements.
You can print one for each school year to stay organized and compliant without stress.
Homeschool laws can feel intimidating at first, but once you know what’s expected, it becomes second nature. Thousands of families in every type of state, from low-regulation to high-regulation, homeschool successfully every year.
Take it one step at a time, stay organized, and use tools like the State Homeschool Law Checklist to make it simple.
Stick around for the rest of the Homeschool 101 series, where we’ll explore different homeschool styles, how to choose a curriculum, setting up your space, finding a routine, and much more.
You’ve got this! I’m here to help every step of the way.
- Jeni
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