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.

Yearly 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) — PSA system maintained by CDE; local school district has no direct oversight of PSA homeschools.
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 does not require you to keep records, but a simple folder of work samples makes transcripts and college applications far easier later on.

Source: California Department of Education (CDE) — PSA system maintained by CDE; local school district has no direct oversight of PSA homeschools — www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ps/homeschool.asp. Checked March 2026.

Your notice of intent

Who receives it: California Department of Education (CDE) — PSA system maintained by CDE; local school district has no direct oversight of PSA homeschools
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: Yes, once a year

Testing, portfolios and reviews

No yearly assessment

Californiadoes 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. School's rules and compliance apply. Many charter-based homeschool programs operate under this pathway.
Umbrella / cover schools: California has a large network of Private School Satellite Programs (PSPs) that operate under PSA filings and accept homeschool families as enrolled students. They provide oversight, curriculum, record-keeping, and diploma services. Families enrolled in a PSP generally use the school's PSA rather than filing their own.

Sports, dual enrollment and life after high school

Diplomas: California does not issue state diplomas to homeschoolers under the PSA pathway. Families self-issue transcripts and diplomas, or use PSP/private school diplomas. Accredited programs (e.g., Clonlara, Laurel Springs) provide recognized transcripts and diplomas.
College admissions: California public universities (UC system, CSU system) accept homeschool applicants. UCs require SAT/ACT (or test-optional review), coursework documentation, and often a portfolio or personal statement addressing homeschool background. CSUs have established homeschool admission paths. Private colleges vary.
Support for additional needs: Homeschooled students operating under a PSA lose FAPE entitlement. However, students enrolled in a charter-based independent study program may retain some IEP rights. Parents may request Child Find assessments from local districts.

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) — PSA system maintained by CDE; local school district has no direct oversight of PSA homeschools 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 track your compliance automatically.

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?

California does not have a statewide law guaranteeing homeschoolers access to public school sports. Participation may be at individual district discretion. Check with your local school district.

Worth knowing about California

California has no explicit homeschool statute — families use one of three legal pathways rooted in private school law. PSA (Pathway 1) is most common: file annually Oct 1–15 with CDE, maintain attendance records and a course of study, teach required subjects in English. No testing, no state oversight visits. Pathway 2 requires a credentialed tutor. Pathway 3 uses existing private/charter school enrollment. No Tim Tebow sports law. No public school dual enrollment. PSP (umbrella school) enrollment is widely available and simplifies compliance.

Who to ask in California

Regulator: California Department of Education (CDE) — PSA system maintained by CDE; local school district has no direct oversight of PSA homeschools
Official site: www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ps/homeschool.asp
Forms: www3.cde.ca.gov/psa

Free tools for your first year

Everything below works whether or not you ever pay us a penny. Use what helps with California's requirements and ignore the rest.

Transcript builderBuild a clean high-school transcript with GPA and credits, ready to send to a college.Paperwork generatorFill in your details and get the letter or affidavit your state expects, already worded for it.Printable worksheetsPrint practice pages by grade and subject for the days a screen is the wrong answer.Instruction day logTick off days as you go so the count is already done when your state asks for it.State fundingSee whether your state puts education money in your hands, and how to claim it.Starting guideThe whole first year in five steps, written for someone who has never done this before.

Other states

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

This page was written from California's published rules and last checked in March 2026. Laws change between checks, so confirm anything you are about to file with California Department of Education (CDE) — PSA system maintained by CDE; local school district has no direct oversight of PSA homeschools. This is information for families, not legal advice.

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