Arizona vs California: Homeschool Laws Compared
Side-by-side comparison of homeschool regulations. See what changes if you're moving between these states.
At a Glance
| Requirement | Arizona | California |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation level | Low regulation | Moderate regulation |
| Notification | Varies by pathway | Varies by pathway |
| Testing | Not required | Varies by pathway |
| Required subjects | 5 subjects | 10 subjects (by grade) |
| Instructional time | No requirement | No requirement |
| Instructor qualification | No requirement | Varies by pathway |
| Recordkeeping | None required | attendance |
| Annual renewal | Not required | Required by October 1 through October 15 annually |
Moving Between These States
Moving from Arizona to California
Grace period: No explicit grace period. The CDE's Private School Affidavit filing system is open August 1 through June 30. (Ed. Code §33190; §48222)
What changes:
- ~Required subjects: Arizona (5 subjects) → California (10 subjects (by grade))
- +California requires recordkeeping (attendance). Arizona does not
Transition checklist
Before you leave Arizona:
- ▢No formal withdrawal required in Arizona
- ▢Gather records: curriculum materials, work samples, test scores
When you arrive in California:
- ▢File a Private School Affidavit through the CDE online system when your home-based private school starts. The system is open August 1 through June 30.
Before you start teaching:
- ▢File BEFORE you start teaching (Ed. Code §33190; §48222)
- ▢The statutory filing period is October 1 through 15, and the CDE's online system stays open August 1 through June 30 so new schools and home schools can file when they start. Schools established in July wait until the system opens in August.
Moving from California to Arizona
What changes:
- ~Required subjects: California (10 subjects (by grade)) → Arizona (5 subjects)
- -Good news: Arizona has no recordkeeping requirement
Transition checklist
Before you leave California:
- ▢No formal withdrawal required in California
- ▢Gather records: curriculum materials, work samples, test scores
When you arrive in Arizona:
- ▢File notification with county school superintendent (NOT the local school district superintendent)
Military families
Neither Arizona nor California has military-specific homeschool provisions. MIC3 (Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children) does not apply to homeschoolers — it covers public schools only. Your School Liaison Officer can help with the transition.
Planning a move?
Enter your move date to get a timeline with specific deadlines.
Common questions
What are the differences between homeschooling in Arizona and California?
Arizona and California have different homeschool regulations covering notification requirements, testing, required subjects, instructor qualifications, and recordkeeping. See the comparison table above for the exact differences.
What do I need to do to move my homeschool from Arizona to California?
When moving from Arizona to California, you must comply with California's homeschool laws from scratch. See the transition checklist above for step-by-step guidance.
Data sourced from state statutes and administrative codes. Comparison based on default homeschool pathway for each state. This is compliance guidance, not legal advice. Terms · How we verify