California vs Illinois: 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 | Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation level | Moderate regulation | Low regulation |
| Notification | Required — California Department of Education (CDE), Superintendent of Public Instruction Between October 1 and October 15 (filing window) | Not required |
| Testing | Not required | Not required |
| Required subjects | 10 subjects (by grade) | 6 subjects |
| Instructional time | No requirement | No requirement |
| Instructor qualification | No requirement | No requirement |
| Recordkeeping | attendance | None required |
| Annual renewal | Required by October 1-15 | Not required |
Moving Between These States
Moving from California to Illinois
What changes:
- -Good news: Illinois has no notification requirement
- ~Required subjects: California (10 subjects (by grade)) → Illinois (6 subjects)
- -Good news: Illinois 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 Illinois:
- ▢No notification required in Illinois
Moving from Illinois to California
Grace period: No explicit grace period — PSA system open Aug 1–Jun 30 (Ed. Code §33190; §48222)
What changes:
- +California requires notification (Required — California Department of Education (CDE), Superintendent of Public Instruction Between October 1 and October 15 (filing window)). Illinois does not
- ~Required subjects: Illinois (6 subjects) → California (10 subjects (by grade))
- +California requires recordkeeping (attendance). Illinois does not
Transition checklist
Before you leave Illinois:
- ▢Withdrawal letter recommended (but not legally required) in Illinois
- ▢Gather records: curriculum materials, work samples, test scores
When you arrive in California:
- ▢File Private School Affidavit (PSA) via CDE online system as soon as possible. System open Aug 1–Jun 30.
Before you start teaching:
- ▢File BEFORE you start teaching (Ed. Code §33190; §48222)
- ▢Statutory window is Oct 1–15 but CDE accepts filings year-round for new schools. File immediately upon withdrawal from prior school.
Military families
Neither California nor Illinois 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 Illinois?
California and Illinois 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 Illinois?
When moving from California to Illinois, you must comply with Illinois'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