What paperwork do I need to file in Tennessee?

You need to submit a simple notice to Director of schools (superintendent) of the local education agency (LEA). The deadline is Before the start of each school year, or before commencing instruction if withdrawing mid-year. This must be renewed annually.

What subjects are required for homeschooling in Tennessee?

Tennessee requires instruction in 4 subjects: reading / language arts, mathematics, social studies, science.

What records do I need to keep in Tennessee?

Tennessee requires you to maintain: attendance records. Records may be reviewed by the district.

Tennessee Homeschool Requirements Checklist

Q: What are the homeschool requirements in Tennessee?

Tennessee requires a simple notice to Director of schools (superintendent) of the local education agency (LEA) by Before the start of each school year, or before commencing instruction if withdrawing mid-year. Testing is required at specific grade levels. 4 subjects must be taught.

Everything you need to do to homeschool legally in Tennessee, based on T.C.A. 49-6-3050. Tennessee is classified as Moderate regulation.

This is the general checklist for Independent Home School (Grades K-8), the most common of Tennessee'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 Director of schools (superintendent) of the local education agency (LEA). Deadline: Before the start of each school year, or before commencing instruction if withdrawing mid-year.

Deadline: Before the start of each school year, or before commencing instruction if withdrawing mid-year

More details

Include: child's name, child's age, grade level, number of children

Send a withdrawal letter

If your child is currently enrolled in school, send a withdrawal letter to School principal or administration, plus LEA director of schools.

Deadline: Before you start (if enrolled)

Confirm your qualification

This pathway requires a high school diploma or GED. Alternatives: GED / high school equivalency credential approved by the state board of education; Affiliate with a church-related umbrella school (Pathway 3) if parent lacks diploma/GED.

Deadline: Before you start

Ongoing

Required subjects

reading / language arts, mathematics, social studies, science

Meet instructional time requirements

Minimum: 180 days/year, 4 hours/day. You must track and document hours.

Show your child's progress

Standardized test — at specific grade levels. At grades: 5, 7, 9.

Keep basic records

You must maintain: attendance records. Records may be reviewed by the district.

Renew each year

You must renew your homeschool notice each year by Before the start of each school year.

Good news

Education savings: Tennessee Education Savings Account (ESA) Pilot Program

Tennessee Education Savings Account (ESA) Pilot Program: ~$9,346/student for 2025-2026 (varies by district) — Limited to students zoned to attend Memphis-Shelby County Schools, Metro Nashville Public Schools, or Hamilton County Schools who meet income requirements (family income at or below 200% of the income threshold for federal free lunch) or attend low-performing schools or Achievement School District schools

Filing requirements

What to file: simple notice
Send to: Director of schools (superintendent) of the local education agency (LEA)
Deadline: Before the start of each school year, or before commencing instruction if withdrawing mid-year
How often: annual

Your notice must include:

•child's name
•child's age
•grade level
•number of children

Practical tip: Your notice must include the names, number, ages, and grade levels of your children. Send it to the director of schools (superintendent) before the school year starts.

T.C.A. 49-6-3050(b)(1)

Ongoing requirements

Required subjects

✓reading / language arts
✓mathematics
✓social studies
✓science

Varies by pathway. Independent Home School (Grades K-8): "general_list"; Independent Home School (Grades 9-12): "general_list"; Church-Related School (Umbrella School): "none"

T.C.A. 49-6-3050(b)

Instructional time

Varies by pathway. Independent Home School (Grades K-8): true; Independent Home School (Grades 9-12): true; Church-Related School (Umbrella School): false

Days per year:: 180
Hours per day:: 4

T.C.A. 49-6-3050(b)(3); T.C.A. 49-6-3004

Testing and assessment

Varies by pathway. Independent Home School (Grades K-8): "LEA director of schools (superintendent) and state board of education"; Independent Home School (Grades 9-12): null; Church-Related School (Umbrella School): null

Accepted types: Standardized test
Frequency: at specific grade levels
At grades: 5, 7, 9

Practical tip: Standardized testing is required in grades 5, 7, and 9. Test results must be reported to the director of schools.

See our full assessment guide for Tennessee for details.

T.C.A. 49-6-3050(b)(5)

Recordkeeping

Varies by pathway. Independent Home School (Grades K-8): true; Independent Home School (Grades 9-12): true; Church-Related School (Umbrella School): false

✓Attendance records

Records may be reviewed by the district.

T.C.A. 49-6-3050(b)(2)

Reporting

Varies by pathway. Independent Home School (Grades K-8): "Before the start of each school year"; Independent Home School (Grades 9-12): "Before the start of each school year"; Church-Related School (Umbrella School): null

Annual renewal: Required by Before the start of each school year

T.C.A. 49-6-3050(b)

Instructor qualifications

Varies by pathway. Independent Home School (Grades K-8): true; Independent Home School (Grades 9-12): true; Church-Related School (Umbrella School): false

The instructor must have a high school diploma or GED.

Alternatives: GED / high school equivalency credential approved by the state board of education; Affiliate with a church-related umbrella school (Pathway 3) if parent lacks diploma/GED

Documentation of qualifications is required.

T.C.A. 49-6-3050(b)(4)

What you don't need to worry about

Education savings: Tennessee Education Savings Account (ESA) Pilot Program

Other ways to homeschool in Tennessee

This checklist covers Independent Home School (Grades K-8), the most common pathway. Tennessee offers 3 different ways to homeschool, each with different requirements:

•
Independent Home School (Grades K-8)(this checklist) : You notify your local school district superintendent annually, teach four core subjects for 180 days at 4 hours per day, and administer standardized testing in grades 5, 7, and 9. The parent-teacher must hold a high school diploma or GED. This is the most common pathway for elementary and middle school families.
•
Independent Home School (Grades 9-12) : You notify your local superintendent annually with a proposed curriculum listing specific course names and whether a college preparatory or general course of study will be taught. The parent-teacher must hold at least a high school diploma or GED. You teach 180 days at 4 hours per day. Testing is required only in grade 9. Best for high school families where the parent has a diploma or GED.
•
Church-Related School (Umbrella School) : You enroll with a church-related umbrella school (defined in T.C.A. 49-50-801), which handles notification and reporting to the local superintendent on your behalf. The state does not impose specific subject, testing, or instructor credential requirements — those are set by the umbrella school. This is the best option for families where the parent lacks a high school diploma or GED.

Our wizard helps you choose the right one. Compare all pathways for Tennessee

Education savings available

Tennessee offers Tennessee Education Savings Account (ESA) Pilot Program. Learn about ESA programs

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 Tennessee checklist

Requirements sourced from T.C.A. 49-6-3050. Verified against primary legal sources. Last verified: March 2026