California vs Virginia: 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 | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation level | Moderate regulation | Moderate regulation |
| Notification | Required — California Department of Education (CDE), Superintendent of Public Instruction Between October 1 and October 15 (filing window) | Required — superintendent of the local school division by August 15 annually; within 30 days if moving into a new school division mid-year |
| Testing | Not required | Required (composite score in or above the fourth stanine on any nationally normed standardized achievement test) |
| Required subjects | 10 subjects (by grade) | None specified |
| Instructional time | No requirement | No requirement |
| Instructor qualification | No requirement | a high school diploma or GED |
| Recordkeeping | attendance | None required |
| Annual renewal | Required by October 1-15 | Required by August 15 |
Moving Between These States
Moving from California to Virginia
Grace period: As soon as practicable notice + 30 days to comply (Va. Code §22.1-254.1(C))
What changes:
- ~Notification: California (Required — California Department of Education (CDE), Superintendent of Public Instruction Between October 1 and October 15 (filing window)) → Virginia (Required — superintendent of the local school division by August 15 annually; within 30 days if moving into a new school division mid-year)
- +Virginia requires testing (Required (composite score in or above the fourth stanine on any nationally normed standardized achievement test)). California does not
- +Virginia requires instructor qualification (a high school diploma or GED). California does not
- -Good news: Virginia has no required subjects requirement
- -Good news: Virginia 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 Virginia:
- ▢Notify superintendent 'as soon as practicable' after moving in. Comply fully within 30 days of notice. Include curriculum description and qualification evidence.
- ▢Prepare qualification evidence (a high school diploma or GED)
Within 30 days of starting:
- ▢File within 30 days of starting (Va. Code §22.1-254.1(C))
- ▢Children under age 6 as of September 30 are exempt from the annual assessment requirement. Standard (existing families) deadline is August 15.
Moving from Virginia to California
Grace period: No explicit grace period — PSA system open Aug 1–Jun 30 (Ed. Code §33190; §48222)
What changes:
- ~Notification: Virginia (Required — superintendent of the local school division by August 15 annually; within 30 days if moving into a new school division mid-year) → California (Required — California Department of Education (CDE), Superintendent of Public Instruction Between October 1 and October 15 (filing window))
- -Good news: California has no testing requirement
- -Good news: California has no instructor qualification requirement
- +California requires required subjects (10 subjects (by grade)). Virginia does not
- +California requires recordkeeping (attendance). Virginia does not
Transition checklist
Before you leave Virginia:
- ▢No formal withdrawal required in Virginia
- ▢Gather records: curriculum materials, work samples, test scores
- ▢Complete any pending assessments before you leave
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 Virginia 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 Virginia?
California and Virginia 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 Virginia?
When moving from California to Virginia, you must comply with Virginia'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