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2026 State Guide
Homeschooling in Alabama: Requirements & Rules
Homeschooling is legal in Alabama, and requirements are minimal — typically a simple notification. Here’s everything you need to stay compliant, in plain English.
- Regulation level
- Low
- Notification
- One-time notice
- Instruction time
- No state mandate
- Required subjects
- No mandated list
- Assessment
- Not required
- Recordkeeping
- Required
- Compulsory ages
- 6–17
Notification
Alabama requires one-time notice, due before beginning or within 5 days of public school year start.
Most families enroll in a church school (many exist solely for homeschool enrollment); the enrollment form is filed once, not annually. Alternatively, homeschool under private tutor statute with one-time notice.
Instruction time
Alabama sets no statewide requirement for days or hours of instruction.
Church school route has no state-mandated hour requirement. Private tutor route requires 140 days.
Required subjects
Alabama does not mandate a specific list of subjects.
Church school route: no mandated subject list. Private tutor route: 'several branches of study required in public schools.'
Assessment & testing
No statewide testing or assessment is required in Alabama.
No assessment requirement under church school or standard homeschool routes.
Recordkeeping
Alabama requires homeschool families to maintain records.
The principal teacher (the parent, under the church school route) must keep a daily attendance register.
Parent qualifications
None required under church school route.
Good to know
Sex offender prohibition applies under the church school enrollment route.
Track Alabama’s requirements automatically
Homeschool Wizard logs your school days, hours, and subjects against Alabama’s rules — and turns them into portfolio PDFs, transcripts, and report cards when you need them. Free for one student.
Private by design: your family’s records stay on your device.
Frequently asked questions
Is homeschooling legal in Alabama?
Yes — homeschooling is legal in all 50 states. In Alabama, requirements are minimal — typically a simple notification. Children ages 6–17 fall under compulsory education law.
Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in Alabama?
Yes. Alabama requires one-time notice — before beginning or within 5 days of public school year start. Most families enroll in a church school (many exist solely for homeschool enrollment); the enrollment form is filed once, not annually. Alternatively, homeschool under private tutor statute with one-time notice.
How many days or hours of instruction does Alabama require?
Alabama sets no statewide day or hour mandate for homeschoolers. Church school route has no state-mandated hour requirement. Private tutor route requires 140 days.
What subjects are required in Alabama?
Alabama does not mandate a specific subject list. Church school route: no mandated subject list. Private tutor route: 'several branches of study required in public schools.'
Is testing or assessment required for homeschoolers in Alabama?
No statewide assessment is required in Alabama. No assessment requirement under church school or standard homeschool routes.
What records do homeschoolers need to keep in Alabama?
Alabama requires families to keep homeschool records. The principal teacher (the parent, under the church school route) must keep a daily attendance register.
Official sources
Verify current requirements with the Alabama Department of Education and HSLDA’s Alabama page.
Not legal advice. This data is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Homeschool laws change frequently. Always verify requirements with your state's Department of Education or a qualified homeschool legal organization before making compliance decisions. Requirements shown were last verified 2026-09.