California · Some paperwork

Homeschooling in California

California asks you to file a notice before you begin. Here is what goes in it, when it is due, and what happens after.

VerifiedMarch 2026

Notice of intentFile every yearPSA pathway: file between October 1–15 annually (system opens August 1). New schools filing outside Oct window should file as soon as possible. Credentialed tutor: no affidavit required.

Testing or assessmentNot required

Instruction time175 days a year

RecordsYour choice

How to start homeschooling in California

Written from California's own rules. If a step is missing below, it is because your state does not ask for it.

Withdraw from the school your child attends now
If your child is currently enrolled in a public school, tell the school in writing that you are moving to home education. Keep a dated copy for yourself — it is the record that closes out their enrollment.
Send your notice of intent
California asks families to file a notice before they begin. The deadline is: PSA pathway: file between October 1–15 annually (system opens August 1). New schools filing outside Oct window should file as soon as possible. Credentialed tutor: no affidavit required. You will do this again at the start of every school year. It goes to California Department of Education (CDE) — receives the annual Private School Affidavit and states it does not provide guidance on how to home school. School districts verify that the affidavit was filed; parents do not report to the district..
Cover the subjects the state names
California names 8 subject areas to teach. How you teach them, in what order, and with which materials is entirely up to you.
Keep a light record as you go
Attendance, a few work samples each term, and a running list of what you covered. California requires a home-based private school to keep attendance records, a list of the courses of study offered, and the names and addresses of the faculty with their educational qualifications (Education Code sections 33190 and 48222).

Your notice of intent

Who receives it: California Department of Education (CDE) — receives the annual Private School Affidavit and states it does not provide guidance on how to home school. School districts verify that the affidavit was filed; parents do not report to the district.
When it is due: PSA pathway: file between October 1–15 annually (system opens August 1). New schools filing outside Oct window should file as soon as possible. Credentialed tutor: no affidavit required.
How often: Every school year
Notarized?: No
Official form: www3.cde.ca.gov/psa
Ongoing reporting: None

Testing, portfolios and reviews

No testing or assessment

California does not require a standardized test or an evaluator's review. Plenty of families still keep a folder of work through the year — not because the state asks, but because it makes a transcript or a college application far easier to put together later. A note from the state: No testing required under PSA (Pathway 1) No testing required under credentialed tutor (Pathway 2)

What you teach, and what you keep

Required subjects: English (instruction must be in English)MathematicsSocial SciencesScienceVisual and Performing ArtsHealthPhysical EducationOther branches of study required in public schools (CA Ed Code 48222)
Instruction time: 175 days a year
Who may teach: No teaching certificate, degree, or credential is required of you.
Keeping records: No retention period is set. Keeping a simple folder is still worth doing.
Legal routes: Pathway 1 — Private School Affidavit (PSA) under EC 33190 & 48222: File annual PSA with California Superintendent of Public Instruction between October 1–15. Operate as a one-student (or multi-child) private school. Must teach in English, maintain attendance records, keep a course of study on file, and list instructor qualifications. No testing required. This is the most common California homeschool pathway.
Pathway 2 — Credentialed Tutor (EC 48224): Child receives instruction from a tutor who holds a valid CA teaching credential for the grade being taught, for at least 3 hours/day between 8am–4pm for 175 days/year. No PSA filing required.
Pathway 3 — Private Full-Time Day School Enrollment (EC 48222): Enroll child as a full student in a private school that operates an independent study or satellite program. The school's own rules apply. Public charter schools and public independent study programs are separate options listed by CDE.
Umbrella / cover schools: The California Department of Education lists enrolling your child in an existing private school that offers online learning or independent study as one way to school at home. Ask any school about its records, curriculum and diploma services before you enrol.

Sports, dual enrollment and life after high school

Diplomas: The California Department of Education page links the state minimum high school graduation requirements and the courses needed for CSU and UC admission. Check who issues a diploma and transcript for your chosen pathway.
College admissions: College admissions requirements vary by institution. Check each college's current admissions page for its homeschool applicant requirements.
Support for additional needs: Special-education eligibility and services after withdrawal from public school depend on your circumstances and the applicable rules. Confirm with your school district or your state education agency.

Money your family can claim in California

No program on file yet

We do not have a verified California education savings account, scholarship, or tax credit for homeschooling families on file. That may mean the state has none, or it may mean we have not confirmed one yet — we would rather say so than point you at something we have not checked. State programs change often, so it is worth asking California Department of Education (CDE) — receives the annual Private School Affidavit and states it does not provide guidance on how to home school. School districts verify that the affidavit was filed; parents do not report to the district. directly.

See the states where funding is confirmed →

Questions parents ask about California

Is homeschooling legal in California?

Yes. Homeschooling is legal in California. California has moderate homeschool regulation — some requirements apply but they are generally manageable. Koydo can put the dates your state lists on your calendar.

Do I need to file a Notice of Intent to homeschool in California?

Yes. California requires families to file a Notice of Intent by PSA pathway: file between October 1–15 annually (system opens August 1). New schools filing outside Oct window should file as soon as possible. Credentialed tutor: no affidavit required.. This notice must be renewed annually.

How many instruction days are required in California?

California requires 175 days a year.

What subjects are required by law in California?

California requires instruction in the following subjects: English (instruction must be in English), Mathematics, Social Sciences, Science, Visual and Performing Arts, Health, Physical Education, Other branches of study required in public schools (CA Ed Code 48222).

Does California require annual assessment for homeschoolers?

No. California does not require formal annual assessment. Families may voluntarily track progress for college application purposes.

Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in California?

No. California does not require parents to hold a teaching certificate or any specific educational credential to homeschool their children.

Can homeschoolers participate in public school sports in California?

Rules about homeschooled students taking part in public school sports and activities differ by state and by district. Check with your local school district and your state athletic association.

Worth knowing about California

The California Department of Education lists several ways to school at home: a public charter school, a public independent study program, an existing private school with online or independent study, your own home-based private school, or a credentialed tutor. A home-based private school files a Private School Affidavit every year, keeps attendance records, a course of study and faculty qualifications, and teaches in English. Parents do not report to the school district.

Who to ask in California

Regulator: California Department of Education (CDE) — receives the annual Private School Affidavit and states it does not provide guidance on how to home school. School districts verify that the affidavit was filed; parents do not report to the district.
Official site: www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ps/homeschool.asp
Forms: www3.cde.ca.gov/psa

Tools for your first year

The free tools below work whether or not you ever pay us a penny; each tile says what it needs. Use what helps with California's requirements and ignore the rest.

Transcript builderBuild a clean high-school transcript with GPA and credits. Free copies carry a small Koydo watermark.No account needed Starting guideThe whole first year in five steps, written for someone who has never done this before.No account needed Printable worksheetsPrint practice pages by grade and subject for the days a screen is the wrong answer. A few free pages every day.Free with a Koydo account State fundingSee whether your state puts education money in your hands, and how to claim it.Free with a Koydo account Paperwork generatorFill in your details and get the letter or affidavit your state expects, already worded for it.Needs HomeSchool Premium Instruction day logTick off days as you go so the count is already done when your state asks for it.Needs HomeSchool Premium

Other states

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho All 51 →

Last checked in March 2026. Laws change between checks, so confirm anything you are about to file with California Department of Education (CDE) — receives the annual Private School Affidavit and states it does not provide guidance on how to home school. School districts verify that the affidavit was filed; parents do not report to the district.. This is information for families, not legal advice.

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How to start homeschooling in California

Written from California's own rules. If a step is missing below, it is because your state does not ask for it.

Withdraw from the school your child attends now

If your child is currently enrolled in a public school, tell the school in writing that you are moving to home education. Keep a dated copy for yourself — it is the record that closes out their enrollment.

Send your notice of intent

California asks families to file a notice before they begin. The deadline is: PSA pathway: file between October 1–15 annually (system opens August 1). New schools filing outside Oct window should file as soon as possible. Credentialed tutor: no affidavit required. You will do this again at the start of every school year. It goes to California Department of Education (CDE) — receives the annual Private School Affidavit and states it does not provide guidance on how to home school. School districts verify that the affidavit was filed; parents do not report to the district..

Cover the subjects the state names

California names 8 subject areas to teach. How you teach them, in what order, and with which materials is entirely up to you.

Keep a light record as you go

Attendance, a few work samples each term, and a running list of what you covered. California requires a home-based private school to keep attendance records, a list of the courses of study offered, and the names and addresses of the faculty with their educational qualifications (Education Code sections 33190 and 48222).

Your notice of intent

Who receives it

California Department of Education (CDE) — receives the annual Private School Affidavit and states it does not provide guidance on how to home school. School districts verify that the affidavit was filed; parents do not report to the district.

When it is due

PSA pathway: file between October 1–15 annually (system opens August 1). New schools filing outside Oct window should file as soon as possible. Credentialed tutor: no affidavit required.

How often

Every school year

Notarized?

Official form

www3.cde.ca.gov/psa

Ongoing reporting

None

Testing, portfolios and reviews

No testing or assessment

What you teach, and what you keep

Required subjects

English (instruction must be in English)MathematicsSocial SciencesScienceVisual and Performing ArtsHealthPhysical EducationOther branches of study required in public schools (CA Ed Code 48222)

Instruction time

175 days a year

Who may teach

No teaching certificate, degree, or credential is required of you.

Keeping records

No retention period is set. Keeping a simple folder is still worth doing.

Legal routes

Pathway 1 — Private School Affidavit (PSA) under EC 33190 & 48222: File annual PSA with California Superintendent of Public Instruction between October 1–15. Operate as a one-student (or multi-child) private school. Must teach in English, maintain attendance records, keep a course of study on file, and list instructor qualifications. No testing required. This is the most common California homeschool pathway.
Pathway 2 — Credentialed Tutor (EC 48224): Child receives instruction from a tutor who holds a valid CA teaching credential for the grade being taught, for at least 3 hours/day between 8am–4pm for 175 days/year. No PSA filing required.
Pathway 3 — Private Full-Time Day School Enrollment (EC 48222): Enroll child as a full student in a private school that operates an independent study or satellite program. The school's own rules apply. Public charter schools and public independent study programs are separate options listed by CDE.

Umbrella / cover schools

The California Department of Education lists enrolling your child in an existing private school that offers online learning or independent study as one way to school at home. Ask any school about its records, curriculum and diploma services before you enrol.

Sports, dual enrollment and life after high school

Diplomas

The California Department of Education page links the state minimum high school graduation requirements and the courses needed for CSU and UC admission. Check who issues a diploma and transcript for your chosen pathway.

College admissions

College admissions requirements vary by institution. Check each college's current admissions page for its homeschool applicant requirements.

Support for additional needs

Special-education eligibility and services after withdrawal from public school depend on your circumstances and the applicable rules. Confirm with your school district or your state education agency.