Florida 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 | Florida | Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation level | Moderate regulation | Low regulation |
| Notification | Required — county school district superintendent Within 30 days of beginning the home education program | Not required |
| Testing | Required | Not required |
| Required subjects | None specified | 6 subjects |
| Instructional time | No requirement | No requirement |
| Instructor qualification | No requirement | No requirement |
| Recordkeeping | portfolio | None required |
| Annual renewal | Not required | Not required |
Moving Between These States
Moving from Florida to Illinois
What changes:
- -Good news: Illinois has no notification requirement
- -Good news: Illinois has no testing requirement
- +Illinois requires required subjects (6 subjects). Florida does not
- -Good news: Illinois has no recordkeeping requirement
Transition checklist
Before you leave Florida:
- ▢Notify child's current school principal or registrar: 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 Illinois:
- ▢No notification required in Illinois
Moving from Illinois to Florida
Grace period: 30 days from establishing program (Fla. Stat. §1002.41(1)(a))
What changes:
- +Florida requires notification (Required — county school district superintendent Within 30 days of beginning the home education program). Illinois does not
- +Florida requires testing (Required). Illinois does not
- -Good news: Florida has no required subjects requirement
- +Florida requires recordkeeping (portfolio). 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 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))
- ▢Superintendent must accept immediately and may not require additional info. Moving between FL counties requires new NOI with new county superintendent.
Military families
Neither Florida 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 Florida and Illinois?
Florida 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 Florida to Illinois?
When moving from Florida 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