Florida Homeschool Requirements Checklist
Everything you need to do to homeschool legally in Florida, based on Fla. Stat. 1002.41. Florida is classified as Moderate regulation.
This is the general checklist for Home Education Program, the most common of Florida's 3 pathways. Our free wizard customizes this for your family, including grade, pathway, enrollment status, and IEP.
Your compliance checklist
Do first
File your Notice of Intent
Submit to county school district superintendent. Deadline: Within 30 days of beginning the home education program.
Deadline: Within 30 days of beginning the home education program
More details
Notice must include student name, address, date of birth; the parent signs the notice. A new notice is NOT required annually; initial notice remains in effect unless the program is terminated. If the family moves to a different county, filing a new notice with the new county superintendent is widely recommended practice but not a statutory requirement. A written notice of termination must also be filed with the superintendent within 30 days of ending the program (Fla. Stat. 1002.41(1)(c)).
Withdrawal letter recommended
A formal letter isn't required, but it is recommended if your child is enrolled in school. Send it to child's current school principal or registrar.
Deadline: Before you start (if enrolled)
More details
File the Notice of Intent with the county superintendent first or simultaneously. Notify the school that the child is being withdrawn to participate in a home education program under Fla. Stat. 1002.41. No mandatory waiting period — once the NOI is filed, instruction may begin immediately. Some schools may resist or delay; communicate directly with the superintendent's home education office if needed.
Ongoing
Show your child's progress
Standardized test or Teacher evaluation or Other approved method — annually.
More details
Parent chooses ONE evaluation method annually: (1) certified teacher evaluation of portfolio, (2) nationally normed standardized test administered by a certified teacher, (3) state assessment (e.g., FAST), (4) evaluation by a licensed psychologist or school psychologist (per s. 490.003(7)-(8)), or (5) other method mutually agreed upon with superintendent. Results must be submitted to the superintendent. If the student does not demonstrate adequate progress, the parent must provide remedial instruction during a one-year probationary period. If still deficient after probation, continuation in a home education program is contingent upon demonstrating educational progress (Fla. Stat. 1002.41(2)). If below threshold: One-year probationary period with remedial instruction. Must demonstrate progress within one year of probation notice. Continuation in a home education program is contingent upon demonstrating educational progress
Keep basic records
You must maintain: student portfolio.
More details
Portfolio must include: (1) a log of educational activities (texts, activities, and materials used), (2) samples of the student's work (writings, worksheets, creative materials). Portfolio is maintained by the parent and made available for annual evaluation. Not routinely submitted to the superintendent. Portfolio must be made available for inspection upon 15 days' written notice per 1002.41(1)(e).
Good news
No specific subjects required
Florida does not enumerate specific required subjects. The definition of home education requires 'sequentially progressive' instruction in accordance with the student's ability (Fla. Stat. 1002.01(1)). Parents have broad discretion in choosing curriculum, materials, and subjects. Florida does not require adherence to state curriculum standards.
No instructional time minimums
No minimum hours or days of instruction required.
Education savings programs available
Personalized Education Program (PEP): ~$8,000/student (2025-2026) — All Florida students (universal since HB 1, 2023). No income limitation.. Family Empowerment Scholarship - Unique Abilities (FES-UA): ~$10,000/student; up to $34,000+ for severe disabilities (matrix-funded) — Students with disabilities or unique abilities. Must have a current IEP, Section 504 plan, or documented diagnosis of an eligible disability.
More details
ESA funds can be used for private school tuition, home education expenses (curriculum, textbooks, tutoring, educational technology), and other approved expenses. Receiving ESA does NOT change compliance obligations under 1002.41 — family must still file NOI, maintain portfolio, and complete annual evaluations. The scholarship program has its own additional compliance requirements (expense documentation, approved vendor lists). Noncompliance with scholarship rules can result in loss of funding and repayment requirements. Provides ESA funds for specialized curriculum, therapeutic services (speech, OT, ABA), assistive technology, specialized instructional services, and other approved expenses. Florida uses a funding matrix for exceptional student education (ESE); students in higher cost categories may receive more funding.
Filing requirements
- What to file
- simple notice
- Send to
- county school district superintendent
- Deadline
- Within 30 days of beginning the home education program
- How often
- one time
Notice must include student name, address, date of birth; the parent signs the notice. A new notice is NOT required annually; initial notice remains in effect unless the program is terminated. If the family moves to a different county, filing a new notice with the new county superintendent is widely recommended practice but not a statutory requirement. A written notice of termination must also be filed with the superintendent within 30 days of ending the program (Fla. Stat. 1002.41(1)(c)).
Fla. Stat. §1002.41(1)(a)
Ongoing requirements
Testing and assessment
- Accepted types
- Standardized test, Teacher evaluation, Other approved method
- Frequency
- annually
Parent chooses ONE evaluation method annually: (1) certified teacher evaluation of portfolio, (2) nationally normed standardized test administered by a certified teacher, (3) state assessment (e.g., FAST), (4) evaluation by a licensed psychologist or school psychologist (per s. 490.003(7)-(8)), or (5) other method mutually agreed upon with superintendent. Results must be submitted to the superintendent. If the student does not demonstrate adequate progress, the parent must provide remedial instruction during a one-year probationary period. If still deficient after probation, continuation in a home education program is contingent upon demonstrating educational progress (Fla. Stat. 1002.41(2)).
See our full assessment guide for Florida for details.
Fla. Stat. §1002.41(1)(f)
Recordkeeping
- ✓Student portfolio
Portfolio must include: (1) a log of educational activities (texts, activities, and materials used), (2) samples of the student's work (writings, worksheets, creative materials). Portfolio is maintained by the parent and made available for annual evaluation. Not routinely submitted to the superintendent. Portfolio must be made available for inspection upon 15 days' written notice per 1002.41(1)(e).
Fla. Stat. §1002.41(1)(d)-(e)
What you don't need to worry about
No specific subjects required
Florida does not enumerate specific required subjects. The definition of home education requires 'sequentially progressive' instruction in accordance with the student's ability (Fla. Stat. 1002.01(1)). Parents have broad discretion in choosing curriculum, materials, and subjects. Florida does not require adherence to state curriculum standards.
No instructional time minimums
No minimum hours or days of instruction required.
Education savings programs available
Personalized Education Program (PEP): ~$8,000/student (2025-2026) — All Florida students (universal since HB 1, 2023). No income limitation.. Family Empowerment Scholarship - Unique Abilities (FES-UA): ~$10,000/student; up to $34,000+ for severe disabilities (matrix-funded) — Students with disabilities or unique abilities. Must have a current IEP, Section 504 plan, or documented diagnosis of an eligible disability.
Other ways to homeschool in Florida
This checklist covers Home Education Program, the most common pathway. Florida offers 3 different ways to homeschool, each with different requirements:
- •Home Education Program(this checklist) : You file a one-time Notice of Intent with the county superintendent, maintain a portfolio of your child's work, and submit one annual evaluation (your choice of method, including a teacher review of your portfolio or a standardized test). Florida does not mandate specific subjects, hours, or curriculum — just that instruction is 'sequentially progressive.' This is the most popular pathway and gives families broad flexibility.
- •Private Tutoring : You hire a tutor who holds a valid Florida teaching certificate to provide instruction covering the same subjects required in public schools. There is no annual evaluation or portfolio requirement — the tutor's certification serves as the accountability mechanism. This pathway is uncommon because it requires a certified teacher.
- •Private School (Including Umbrella/Cover Schools) : You enroll your child in a private school or umbrella (cover) school that registers with the Florida Department of Education on your behalf. You do not file a Notice of Intent with the county, and there is no annual evaluation or portfolio requirement. Your child is legally a private school student, not a home education student, which may affect eligibility for some homeschool-specific benefits like public school dual enrollment.
Our wizard helps you choose the right one. Compare all pathways for Florida
Education savings available
Florida offers 2 education savings programs. Learn about ESA programs
Related guides
Get your personalized checklist
This is the general checklist for the most common pathway. The wizard customizes it for your family's specific situation, including grade, pathway, and IEP status.
Get your Florida checklistRequirements sourced from Fla. Stat. 1002.41. Verified against primary legal sources. Last verified: March 2026