How to Homeschool in Your State
While regulations vary from state to state, homeschooling is legal in all 50 states.
Curious about homeschool regulations? Here is a simple collection of links to laws from the HSLDA on how to homeschool in your state.
The very first step to homeschool in your state is to take a look at the current laws.
Don’t let that thought intimidate you. There are many resources that have done the work of researching, simplifying & updating so that you don’t have to.
Also, if you’re in an urgent situation that requires you to start homeschooling fast, check out my Emergency Homeschooling post and get your child started right away!
The Homeschool Legal Defense Association
One especially great place that has organized all the information is HSLDA.org where The Home School Legal Defense Association provides a guide to Homeschool Laws By State.
In this guide, you will find a map showing the various levels of homeschool regulation across the country. The levels of regulation range from having to give little to no notice of intent to homeschool all the way to the five states with the highest regulations.
How to Homeschool in Your State
Unique Situations
If you are roadschooling or travel very often, you should look to the state where your vehicle is registered and in which you are licensed to drive.
Law Updates
HSLDA is especially helpful because their legal team keeps up to with the laws and requirements per state with homeschooling families best interest in mind. When there is a change, they are the first to inform you on their page.
State Laws at a Glance
Their state laws at a glance is a simplified summary.
7 points for each state:
- Number of options for homeschooling
- Ages required for schooling
- Whether or not notification is required
- If there are teacher qualification requirements or not
- State mandated subjects
- Assessment requirements
- Immunization requirements*
*Notice that your state may require immunizations but looking further, holding exemptions may be sufficient and acceptable as your child’s immunization records.
Support & Resources
There are also many other reasons to poke around on their site and consider becoming a member.
Some state-specific helpful articles and videos, included are as follows:
- How to comply with your state’s homeschool law
- Compulsory school age for that state
- How to withdraw your child from school
- Public school access for homeschoolers
- Special education provisions available
- The importance of record-keeping in your state
Find out how to Homeschool in Your State
resources by State:
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
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
Remember, there are many resources to support homeschooling in your state. The Homeschool Legal Defense Association is the best to stay up to date on homeschool laws and how to homeschool in your state but you can also find many groups or even start one!
