California vs Florida: Homeschool Laws Compared
Side-by-side comparison of homeschool regulations. See what changes if you're moving between these states.
At a Glance
| Requirement | California | Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation level | Moderate regulation | Moderate regulation |
| Notification | Varies by pathway | Varies by pathway |
| Testing | Varies by pathway | Varies by pathway |
| Required subjects | 10 subjects (by grade) | None specified |
| Instructional time | No requirement | No requirement |
| Instructor qualification | Varies by pathway | Varies by pathway |
| Recordkeeping | attendance | portfolio |
| Annual renewal | Required by October 1 through October 15 annually | Not required |
Moving Between These States
Moving from California to Florida
Grace period: 30 days from establishing program (Fla. Stat. §1002.41(1)(a))
What changes:
- +Florida requires testing (Required). California does not
- -Good news: Florida has no required subjects requirement
- ~Recordkeeping: California (attendance) → Florida (portfolio)
Transition checklist
Before you leave California:
- ▢No formal withdrawal required in California
- ▢Gather records: curriculum materials, work samples, test scores
When you arrive in Florida:
- ▢File Notice of Intent with county superintendent within 30 days of establishing home education program.
Within 30 days of starting:
- ▢File within 30 days of starting (Fla. Stat. §1002.41(1)(a))
- ▢File the notice of intent within 30 days of establishing the home education program (Fla. Stat. 1002.41(1)(a)).
Moving from Florida 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:
- -Good news: California has no testing requirement
- +California requires required subjects (10 subjects (by grade)). Florida does not
- ~Recordkeeping: Florida (portfolio) → California (attendance)
Transition checklist
Before you leave Florida:
- ▢Notify your superintendent: File written notice of termination with county superintendent within 30 days of termination, along with annual evaluation if due.
- ▢Gather records: curriculum materials, work samples, test scores
- ▢Complete any pending assessments before you leave
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.
Military families
Neither California nor Florida 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 California and Florida?
California and Florida 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 California to Florida?
When moving from California to Florida, you must comply with Florida'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