California vs New Jersey: 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 | New Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation level | Moderate regulation | No 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) | None specified |
| 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 New Jersey
What changes:
- -Good news: New Jersey has no notification requirement
- -Good news: New Jersey has no required subjects requirement
- -Good news: New Jersey 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 New Jersey:
- ▢No notification required in New Jersey
Moving from New Jersey 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)). New Jersey does not
- +California requires required subjects (10 subjects (by grade)). New Jersey does not
- +California requires recordkeeping (attendance). New Jersey does not
Transition checklist
Before you leave New Jersey:
- ▢Withdrawal letter recommended (but not legally required) in New Jersey
- ▢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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey?
California and New Jersey 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 New Jersey?
When moving from California to New Jersey, you must comply with New Jersey'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