Georgia vs Texas: Homeschool Laws Compared
Side-by-side comparison of homeschool regulations. See what changes if you're moving between these states.
At a Glance
| Requirement | Georgia | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation level | Moderate regulation | No regulation |
| Notification | Required — Georgia Department of Education Within 30 days of establishing the home study program, and by September 1 of each subsequent year | Not required |
| Testing | Required | Not required |
| Required subjects | 5 subjects | 5 subjects |
| Instructional time | 180 days/yr, 810 hrs/yr | No requirement |
| Instructor qualification | a high school diploma or GED | No requirement |
| Recordkeeping | attendance | None required |
| Annual renewal | Required by September 1 | Not required |
Moving Between These States
Moving from Georgia to Texas
Grace period: N/A — no notification required (Tex. Educ. Code §25.086(a)(1); Leeper v. Arlington ISD (1994))
What changes:
- -Good news: Texas has no notification requirement
- -Good news: Texas has no testing requirement
- -Good news: Texas has no instructor qualification requirement
- -Good news: Texas has no instructional time requirement
- -Good news: Texas has no recordkeeping requirement
Transition checklist
Before you leave Georgia:
- ▢No formal withdrawal required in Georgia
- ▢Gather records: curriculum materials, work samples, test scores
- ▢Complete any pending assessments before you leave
When you arrive in Texas:
- ▢None. Texas requires no notification, registration, or approval. Compliant as soon as bona fide instruction begins.
Filing deadline:
- ▢No filing deadline — begin teaching when ready
Moving from Texas to Georgia
Grace period: 30 days after establishing program (O.C.G.A. §20-2-690(c))
What changes:
- +Georgia requires notification (Required — Georgia Department of Education Within 30 days of establishing the home study program, and by September 1 of each subsequent year). Texas does not
- +Georgia requires testing (Required). Texas does not
- +Georgia requires instructor qualification (a high school diploma or GED). Texas does not
- +Georgia requires instructional time (180 days/yr, 810 hrs/yr). Texas does not
- +Georgia requires recordkeeping (attendance). Texas does not
Transition checklist
Before you leave Texas:
- ▢No formal withdrawal required in Texas
- ▢Gather records: curriculum materials, work samples, test scores
When you arrive in Georgia:
- ▢Submit Declaration of Intent to GA DOE within 30 days of establishing home study program. Online filing available.
- ▢Prepare qualification evidence (a high school diploma or GED)
Within 30 days of starting:
- ▢File within 30 days of starting (O.C.G.A. §20-2-690(c))
- ▢After first year, DOI due by September 1 annually. Public schools must receive proof of homeschooling within 45 days of withdrawal to prevent DFCS referrals.
Military families
Neither Georgia nor Texas 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 Georgia and Texas?
Georgia and Texas 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 Georgia to Texas?
When moving from Georgia to Texas, you must comply with Texas'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