Virginia Homeschool Requirements Checklist
Everything you need to do to homeschool legally in Virginia, based on Va. Code Section 22.1-254.1. Virginia is classified as Moderate regulation.
This is the general checklist for Option I -- Parent Holds High School Diploma, the most common of Virginia's 5 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 superintendent of the local school division. Deadline: August 15 annually; within 30 days if moving into a new school division mid-year.
Deadline: August 15 annually; within 30 days if moving into a new school division mid-year
More details
Include: curriculum description, qualification evidence
Withdrawal letter recommended
A formal letter isn't required, but it is recommended if your child is enrolled in school. Send it to school principal.
Deadline: Before you start (if enrolled)
Confirm your qualification
This pathway requires a high school diploma or GED. Alternatives: GED or equivalent.
Deadline: Before you start
Ongoing
Show your child's progress
Standardized test or Teacher evaluation or Other approved method — annually. Minimum: composite score in or above the fourth stanine on any nationally normed standardized achievement test.
More details
Submit by: 08-01. Process: Program may be placed on probation for one year. Timeline: One probationary year with remediation plan filed with division superintendent. Consequence: Home instruction shall cease and the parent must make other arrangements per Section 22.1-254
Renew each year
You must renew your homeschool notice each year by August 15.
Good news
No specific subjects required
Virginia does not mandate specific subjects under this pathway.
No instructional time minimums
No minimum hours or days of instruction required.
Filing requirements
- What to file
- simple notice
- Send to
- superintendent of the local school division
- Deadline
- August 15 annually; within 30 days if moving into a new school division mid-year
- How often
- annual
Your notice must include:
- •curriculum description
- •qualification evidence
Va. Code §22.1-254.1(A)
Ongoing requirements
Testing and assessment
Varies by pathway. Option I -- Parent Holds High School Diploma: "08-01"; Option II -- Parent is a Qualified Teacher: "08-01"; Option III -- Approved Program of Study or Curriculum: "08-01"; Option IV -- Evidence of Ability to Provide Adequate Education: "08-01"; Religious Exemption: undefined
- Accepted types
- Standardized test, Teacher evaluation, Other approved method
- Frequency
- annually
- Minimum score
- composite score in or above the fourth stanine on any nationally normed standardized achievement test
If scores fall short:
- Process: Program may be placed on probation for one year
- Timeline: One probationary year with remediation plan filed with division superintendent
- Consequence: Home instruction shall cease and the parent must make other arrangements per Section 22.1-254
See our full assessment guide for Virginia for details.
Va. Code §22.1-254.1(C)
Reporting
Varies by pathway. Option I -- Parent Holds High School Diploma: "08-01"; Option II -- Parent is a Qualified Teacher: undefined; Option III -- Approved Program of Study or Curriculum: undefined; Option IV -- Evidence of Ability to Provide Adequate Education: undefined; Religious Exemption: undefined
- Annual renewal
- Required by August 15
Va. Code §22.1-254.1(A), (C)
Instructor qualifications
Varies by pathway. Option I -- Parent Holds High School Diploma: true; Option II -- Parent is a Qualified Teacher: true; Option III -- Approved Program of Study or Curriculum: true; Option IV -- Evidence of Ability to Provide Adequate Education: true; Religious Exemption: false
The instructor must have a high school diploma or GED.
Alternatives: GED or equivalent
Documentation of qualifications is required.
Va. Code §22.1-254.1(A)(i)
What you don't need to worry about
No specific subjects required
Virginia does not mandate specific subjects under this pathway.
No instructional time minimums
No minimum hours or days of instruction required.
Other ways to homeschool in Virginia
This checklist covers Option I -- Parent Holds High School Diploma, the most common pathway. Virginia offers 5 different ways to homeschool, each with different requirements:
- •Option I -- Parent Holds High School Diploma(this checklist) : You file a Notice of Intent with your local superintendent by August 15 each year, including a curriculum description and a copy of your high school diploma or GED. Your child must demonstrate educational progress annually (standardized test with composite score in or above the fourth stanine, evaluation by a licensed teacher or master's-degree holder, or transcript from approved program). No required subjects, hours, or recordkeeping. The most commonly used Virginia pathway.
- •Option II -- Parent is a Qualified Teacher : You file a Notice of Intent with your local superintendent by August 15 each year, including a curriculum description and evidence that you hold a teaching certificate or license as prescribed by the Board of Education. Same annual assessment requirement as Option I. This option is specifically for parents who hold a teaching credential.
- •Option III -- Approved Program of Study or Curriculum : You provide your child with a program of study or curriculum that has been approved by the superintendent or the Virginia Board of Education, and file a Notice of Intent by August 15. This covers any program of study or curriculum -- not limited to correspondence or distance learning. No specific parent credential is required. Annual assessment is still required. Good for families who want to use a structured curriculum without needing a diploma or teaching credential.
- •Option IV -- Evidence of Ability to Provide Adequate Education : You file a Notice of Intent with your local superintendent by August 15, along with evidence that you are able to provide an adequate education for your child. This evidence is typically a written letter explaining your qualifications, experience, and educational plan. The superintendent reviews the submission and determines whether it demonstrates adequate ability. No specific credential is required, but approval is not automatic. Annual assessment is still required. This pathway is a catch-all for parents who do not hold a high school diploma, do not hold a teaching certificate, and are not using an approved program of study.
- •Religious Exemption : You petition your local school board for an exemption from compulsory attendance based on bona fide religious training or belief. Once granted, there are no curriculum requirements, no annual testing, no progress reports, and no instructor qualifications. You must renew the exemption annually. This is the only Virginia pathway with no assessment requirement, but it requires school board approval and a genuine religious basis.
Our wizard helps you choose the right one. Compare all pathways for Virginia
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 Virginia checklistRequirements sourced from Va. Code Section 22.1-254.1. Verified against primary legal sources. Last verified: March 2026