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2026 State Guide
Homeschooling in California: Requirements & Rules
Homeschooling is legal in California, and requirements are minimal — typically a simple notification. Here’s everything you need to stay compliant, in plain English.
- Regulation level
- Low
- Notification
- Annual notice
- Instruction time
- No state mandate
- Required subjects
- 7 subjects
- Assessment
- Not required
- Recordkeeping
- Required
- Compulsory ages
- 6–18
Notification
California requires annual notice, due october 1–15 annually (for private school affidavit).
Most families file as a home-based private school by submitting an annual affidavit to the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) each October. Other options: PSP enrollment, private tutor, or public ISP.
Instruction time
California sets no statewide requirement for days or hours of instruction.
No day/hour mandate under the private school affidavit (PSA) route. The 175-day, 3-hour rule applies only to the private tutor option.
Required subjects
- English
- Mathematics
- Social sciences
- Science
- Fine arts
- Health
- Physical education
Required subjects mirror public school requirements: English, math, social sciences, science, fine arts, health, and PE.
Assessment & testing
No statewide testing or assessment is required in California.
No assessment requirement for home-based private school option.
Recordkeeping
California requires homeschool families to maintain records.
Attendance records required. Academic records recommended.
Parent qualifications
Must be 'capable of teaching' (state cannot enforce this).
Good to know
California is complex — four legal options exist. Most use the home-based private school (PSA filing) route.
Track California’s requirements automatically
Homeschool Wizard logs your school days, hours, and subjects against California’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 California?
Yes — homeschooling is legal in all 50 states. In California, requirements are minimal — typically a simple notification. Children ages 6–18 fall under compulsory education law.
Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in California?
Yes. California requires annual notice — october 1–15 annually (for private school affidavit). Most families file as a home-based private school by submitting an annual affidavit to the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) each October. Other options: PSP enrollment, private tutor, or public ISP.
How many days or hours of instruction does California require?
California sets no statewide day or hour mandate for homeschoolers. No day/hour mandate under the private school affidavit (PSA) route. The 175-day, 3-hour rule applies only to the private tutor option.
What subjects are required in California?
California requires: English, Mathematics, Social sciences, Science, Fine arts, Health, Physical education. Required subjects mirror public school requirements: English, math, social sciences, science, fine arts, health, and PE.
Is testing or assessment required for homeschoolers in California?
No statewide assessment is required in California. No assessment requirement for home-based private school option.
What records do homeschoolers need to keep in California?
California requires families to keep homeschool records. Attendance records required. Academic records recommended.
Official sources
Verify current requirements with the California Department of Education and HSLDA’s California 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.