Florida · Some paperwork

Homeschooling in Florida

Florida 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 onceWithin 30 days of starting your home education program, send a signed written notice to your county school superintendent with each child's full legal name, address and birthdate. A written notice of termination, with the final annual evaluation, is due within 30 days when the program ends (s. 1002.41, Florida Statutes).

Testing or assessmentYes

Instruction timeNo minimum set

RecordsKeep 2 years

How to start homeschooling in Florida

Written from Florida'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
Florida asks families to file a notice before they begin. The deadline is: Within 30 days of starting your home education program, send a signed written notice to your county school superintendent with each child's full legal name, address and birthdate. A written notice of termination, with the final annual evaluation, is due within 30 days when the program ends (s. 1002.41, Florida Statutes). This is a one-time filing — you will not repeat it each year. It goes to Florida Department of Education / Local School Superintendent (Home Education Program) / Private School (Umbrella pathway).
Choose what to teach
Florida does not name required subjects, so your curriculum is your own decision. Most families still cover reading, writing, and math daily, and let interest lead the rest.
Keep a light record as you go
Attendance, a few work samples each term, and a running list of what you covered. Florida expects records to be kept for 2 years.
Plan the assessment early
Florida asks for an assessment. You can choose from: Home Education Program (Option 1): annual evaluation — choose one: (a) nationally normed standardized achievement test administered by a certified teacher; (b) evaluation by a Florida-certified teacher based on portfolio review; (c) Florida state assessment administered at an approved site; (d) evaluation by a licensed psychologist; (e) another valid assessment tool agreed upon by parent and superintendent; Private school (Option 2): the school sets its own policies; ask the school; Private tutor (Option 3): the tutor must hold a valid Florida teaching certificate and keep the records and reports required by s. 1002.43. Deciding early which route you will take saves a scramble.

Your notice of intent

Who receives it: Florida Department of Education / Local School Superintendent (Home Education Program) / Private School (Umbrella pathway)
When it is due: Within 30 days of starting your home education program, send a signed written notice to your county school superintendent with each child's full legal name, address and birthdate. A written notice of termination, with the final annual evaluation, is due within 30 days when the program ends (s. 1002.41, Florida Statutes).
How often: Once, when you begin
Notarized?: No
Official form: www.fldoe.org/
Ongoing reporting: Yes, once a year

Testing, portfolios and reviews

Assessment: Required
Ways to meet it: Home Education Program (Option 1): annual evaluation — choose one: (a) nationally normed standardized achievement test administered by a certified teacher; (b) evaluation by a Florida-certified teacher based on portfolio review; (c) Florida state assessment administered at an approved site; (d) evaluation by a licensed psychologist; (e) another valid assessment tool agreed upon by parent and superintendent
Private school (Option 2): the school sets its own policies; ask the school
Private tutor (Option 3): the tutor must hold a valid Florida teaching certificate and keep the records and reports required by s. 1002.43
Named tests: Any nationally normed student achievement test administered by a certified teacher
Portfolio: A portfolio of your child's work must be kept and may be reviewed

What you teach, and what you keep

Required subjects: Florida does not name required subjects — the curriculum is yours to choose.
Instruction time: Florida sets no minimum number of days or hours.
Who may teach: No teaching certificate, degree, or credential is required of you.
Keeping records: Keep your records for 2 years.
Legal routes: Option 1 – Home Education Program: one-time notice to superintendent within 30 days; maintain portfolio (log of activities + work samples); annual evaluation; no subjects or hours mandated — compulsory ages 6–16
Option 2 – Private school: enroll with a private school that accepts home-based students. The school sets its own policies and handles attendance and immunization records; ask the school what it requires
Option 3 – Private tutor: the tutor must hold a valid Florida teaching certificate and keep the records and reports required by s. 1002.43
Umbrella / cover schools: Some families enroll with a private school that accepts home-based students. Private schools set their own rules, so ask the school what records, fees and requirements apply.

Sports, dual enrollment and life after high school

Public school sports: Florida has a law on this. Home education students may take part in interscholastic and intrascholastic extracurricular activities under s. 1006.15 and s. 1002.41(4). They must meet the home education requirements, show educational progress by a method agreed with the school, and meet the same acceptance, behavior and performance standards as other students. Ask the school about the steps.
Dual enrollment: Eligible home education secondary students may dual enroll in college courses. You provide proof of home education enrollment, handle your own transportation unless the agreement says otherwise, and sign a home education articulation agreement with the college (s. 1007.271(13)).
Diplomas: Home education is directed by the parent, who keeps the records. Ask the colleges or employers your student is aiming for what they want to see.
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 Florida

Personalized Education Program (PEP)

Run by Step Up For Students · payments through Step Up For Students (EMA)

About $8,000 per student on average. The exact amount is set each year by the Florida Legislature and varies by county.

How you get it: Buy what your child needs, then submit an itemized receipt for reimbursement — or purchase inside the program marketplace.

Instructional materials, curriculum, part-time tuition and tutoring, and nationally standardized tests are all named as things the account can cover.

Eligibility and application dates are set by the program. Check the program's official page before you apply.

Questions parents ask about Florida

Is homeschooling legal in Florida?

Yes. Homeschooling is legal in Florida. Florida 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 Florida?

Yes. Florida requires families to file a Notice of Intent by Within 30 days of starting your home education program, send a signed written notice to your county school superintendent with each child's full legal name, address and birthdate. A written notice of termination, with the final annual evaluation, is due within 30 days when the program ends (s. 1002.41, Florida Statutes).. This is a one-time filing when you begin homeschooling.

How many instruction days are required in Florida?

Florida does not mandate a minimum amount of instruction time.

What subjects are required by law in Florida?

Florida does not mandate specific subjects, giving families complete freedom to design their own curriculum.

Does Florida require annual assessment for homeschoolers?

Yes. Florida requires annual assessment. Accepted methods include: Home Education Program (Option 1): annual evaluation — choose one: (a) nationally normed standardized achievement test administered by a certified teacher; (b) evaluation by a Florida-certified teacher based on portfolio review; (c) Florida state assessment administered at an approved site; (d) evaluation by a licensed psychologist; (e) another valid assessment tool agreed upon by parent and superintendent, Private school (Option 2): the school sets its own policies; ask the school, Private tutor (Option 3): the tutor must hold a valid Florida teaching certificate and keep the records and reports required by s. 1002.43.

Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in Florida?

No. Florida 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 Florida?

Florida has a law on this. Home education students may take part in interscholastic and intrascholastic extracurricular activities under s. 1006.15 and s. 1002.41(4). They must meet the home education requirements, show educational progress by a method agreed with the school, and meet the same acceptance, behavior and performance standards as other students. Ask the school about the steps.

Worth knowing about Florida

The Home Education Program (Option 1) involves a written notice to the superintendent, a portfolio you keep (not submitted unless requested), and an annual evaluation filed with the superintendent. No set subjects or instructional hours or days apply under Option 1.

Who to ask in Florida

Regulator: Florida Department of Education / Local School Superintendent (Home Education Program) / Private School (Umbrella pathway)
Official site: www.fldoe.org/
Forms: www.fldoe.org/

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 Florida'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 California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Georgia Hawaii Idaho All 51 →

Last checked in March 2026. Laws change between checks, so confirm anything you are about to file with Florida Department of Education / Local School Superintendent (Home Education Program) / Private School (Umbrella pathway). This is information for families, not legal advice.

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How to start homeschooling in Florida

Written from Florida'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

Florida asks families to file a notice before they begin. The deadline is: Within 30 days of starting your home education program, send a signed written notice to your county school superintendent with each child's full legal name, address and birthdate. A written notice of termination, with the final annual evaluation, is due within 30 days when the program ends (s. 1002.41, Florida Statutes). This is a one-time filing — you will not repeat it each year. It goes to Florida Department of Education / Local School Superintendent (Home Education Program) / Private School (Umbrella pathway).

Choose what to teach

Florida does not name required subjects, so your curriculum is your own decision. Most families still cover reading, writing, and math daily, and let interest lead the rest.

Keep a light record as you go

Attendance, a few work samples each term, and a running list of what you covered. Florida expects records to be kept for 2 years.

Plan the assessment early

Florida asks for an assessment. You can choose from: Home Education Program (Option 1): annual evaluation — choose one: (a) nationally normed standardized achievement test administered by a certified teacher; (b) evaluation by a Florida-certified teacher based on portfolio review; (c) Florida state assessment administered at an approved site; (d) evaluation by a licensed psychologist; (e) another valid assessment tool agreed upon by parent and superintendent; Private school (Option 2): the school sets its own policies; ask the school; Private tutor (Option 3): the tutor must hold a valid Florida teaching certificate and keep the records and reports required by s. 1002.43. Deciding early which route you will take saves a scramble.

Your notice of intent

Who receives it

Florida Department of Education / Local School Superintendent (Home Education Program) / Private School (Umbrella pathway)

When it is due

Within 30 days of starting your home education program, send a signed written notice to your county school superintendent with each child's full legal name, address and birthdate. A written notice of termination, with the final annual evaluation, is due within 30 days when the program ends (s. 1002.41, Florida Statutes).

How often

Once, when you begin

Notarized?

Official form

www.fldoe.org/

Ongoing reporting

Yes, once a year

Testing, portfolios and reviews

Assessment

Required

Ways to meet it

Home Education Program (Option 1): annual evaluation — choose one: (a) nationally normed standardized achievement test administered by a certified teacher; (b) evaluation by a Florida-certified teacher based on portfolio review; (c) Florida state assessment administered at an approved site; (d) evaluation by a licensed psychologist; (e) another valid assessment tool agreed upon by parent and superintendent
Private school (Option 2): the school sets its own policies; ask the school
Private tutor (Option 3): the tutor must hold a valid Florida teaching certificate and keep the records and reports required by s. 1002.43

Named tests

Any nationally normed student achievement test administered by a certified teacher

Portfolio

A portfolio of your child's work must be kept and may be reviewed

What you teach, and what you keep

Required subjects

Florida does not name required subjects — the curriculum is yours to choose.

Instruction time

Florida sets no minimum number of days or hours.

Who may teach

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

Keeping records

Keep your records for 2 years.

Legal routes

Option 1 – Home Education Program: one-time notice to superintendent within 30 days; maintain portfolio (log of activities + work samples); annual evaluation; no subjects or hours mandated — compulsory ages 6–16
Option 2 – Private school: enroll with a private school that accepts home-based students. The school sets its own policies and handles attendance and immunization records; ask the school what it requires
Option 3 – Private tutor: the tutor must hold a valid Florida teaching certificate and keep the records and reports required by s. 1002.43

Umbrella / cover schools

Some families enroll with a private school that accepts home-based students. Private schools set their own rules, so ask the school what records, fees and requirements apply.

Sports, dual enrollment and life after high school

Public school sports

Dual enrollment

Eligible home education secondary students may dual enroll in college courses. You provide proof of home education enrollment, handle your own transportation unless the agreement says otherwise, and sign a home education articulation agreement with the college (s. 1007.271(13)).

Diplomas

Home education is directed by the parent, who keeps the records. Ask the colleges or employers your student is aiming for what they want to see.

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.