Florida vs New York: 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 | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation level | Moderate regulation | High regulation |
| Notification | Required — county school district superintendent Within 30 days of beginning the home education program | Detailed plan required — superintendent of the local school district By July 1 annually, or within 14 days of commencing home instruction mid-year |
| Testing | Required | Required (Composite score above the 33rd percentile on national norms, OR one academic year of growth compared to a prior year's test) |
| Required subjects | None specified | 12 subjects |
| Instructional time | No requirement | 900 hrs/yr |
| Instructor qualification | No requirement | No requirement |
| Recordkeeping | portfolio | attendance, grades |
| Annual renewal | Not required | Required by July 1 annually (LOI and subsequently IHIP) |
Moving Between These States
Moving from Florida to New York
Grace period: 14 days from commencing home instruction in the district (8 NYCRR §100.10)
What changes:
- ~Notification: Florida (Required — county school district superintendent Within 30 days of beginning the home education program) → New York (Detailed plan required — superintendent of the local school district By July 1 annually, or within 14 days of commencing home instruction mid-year)
- +New York requires required subjects (12 subjects). Florida does not
- +New York requires instructional time (900 hrs/yr). Florida does not
- ~Recordkeeping: Florida (portfolio) → New York (attendance, grades)
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 New York:
- ▢File Letter of Intent with local superintendent within 14 days of commencing instruction. Submit IHIP within 4 weeks of receiving the form from the district.
Within 14 days of starting:
- ▢File within 14 days of starting (8 NYCRR §100.10)
- ▢District has 10 business days to respond with IHIP form. Complete IHIP due within 4 weeks of receiving form.
Moving from New York to Florida
Grace period: 30 days from establishing program (Fla. Stat. §1002.41(1)(a))
What changes:
- ~Notification: New York (Detailed plan required — superintendent of the local school district By July 1 annually, or within 14 days of commencing home instruction mid-year) → Florida (Required — county school district superintendent Within 30 days of beginning the home education program)
- -Good news: Florida has no required subjects requirement
- -Good news: Florida has no instructional time requirement
- ~Recordkeeping: New York (attendance, grades) → Florida (portfolio)
Transition checklist
Before you leave New York:
- ▢No formal withdrawal required in New York
- ▢Gather records: curriculum materials, work samples, test scores
- ▢Complete any pending assessments before you leave
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 New York 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 New York?
Florida and New York 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 New York?
When moving from Florida to New York, you must comply with New York'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