Florida vs Pennsylvania: 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 | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation level | Moderate regulation | High regulation |
| Notification | Varies by pathway | Varies by pathway |
| Testing | Varies by pathway | Varies by pathway |
| Required subjects | None specified | 10 subjects |
| Instructional time | No requirement | 900 hrs/yr |
| Instructor qualification | Varies by pathway | Varies by pathway |
| Recordkeeping | portfolio | attendance, grades, portfolio |
| Annual renewal | Not required | Required by August 1 |
Moving Between These States
Moving from Florida to Pennsylvania
What changes:
- +Pennsylvania requires instructor qualification (a high school diploma or GED). Florida does not
- +Pennsylvania requires required subjects (10 subjects). Florida does not
- +Pennsylvania requires instructional time (900 hrs/yr). Florida does not
- ~Recordkeeping: Florida (portfolio) → Pennsylvania (attendance, grades, portfolio)
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 Pennsylvania:
- ▢File notification with superintendent of the school district of residence
- ▢Prepare qualification evidence (a high school diploma or GED)
Moving from Pennsylvania to Florida
Grace period: 30 days from establishing program (Fla. Stat. §1002.41(1)(a))
What changes:
- -Good news: Florida has no instructor qualification requirement
- -Good news: Florida has no required subjects requirement
- -Good news: Florida has no instructional time requirement
- ~Recordkeeping: Pennsylvania (attendance, grades, portfolio) → Florida (portfolio)
Transition checklist
Before you leave Pennsylvania:
- ▢Submit withdrawal letter to superintendent of the school district of residence (required by state law)
- ▢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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?
Florida and Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?
When moving from Florida to Pennsylvania, you must comply with Pennsylvania'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