Homeschooling in California? Here’s your plan.
some requirementsThousands of California families homeschool successfully. The process has more steps than some states, but every one is manageable, and we'll walk you through it.
Homeschooling in California is simpler than most parents expect. You do not need a teaching credential to run a home-based private school. You file a Private School Affidavit with the California Department of Education each year, keep a few required records, and teach.
California law does not have a separate homeschool statute. Instead, the California Department of Education describes several ways to educate at home: establishing a home-based private school, enrolling in an existing private school that offers independent study, enrolling in a public charter or public school independent study program, or using a credentialed tutor.
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California homeschool requirements include conditions and exceptions. Compare the pathways below and read the conditions alongside each supported requirement.
Source: EC Section 48222 (Private School Exemption). Last reviewed October 2026. State education department page checked for changes October 27, 2026.
- Regulation level
- Moderate
- Compulsory ages
- 6–18
- Notification required
- Yes — simple notice to California Department of Education (CDE) by October 1 through October 15 annually
- Assessment required
- No
- Required subjects
- None mandated
- Primary statute
- EC Section 48222 (Private School Exemption)
Conditions and exceptions
Home-Based Private School (Private School Affidavit)
- The statutory filing period is October 1 through 15. CDE keeps the online filing system open from August 1 through June 30 so new schools and home schools can file when they start.
- The law requires instruction by persons capable of teaching. CDE names a teaching credential only for the private tutor option, not for home-based private schools.
- State testing is not required for private schools. A private school or satellite program may set its own assessments; transfer or admission testing is separate. This does not apply to public-school independent study or establish a private-tutor exemption.
- The district attendance supervisor verifies that the Private School Affidavit was filed before the exemption is valid (EC 48222). The affidavit states where the school's records are kept and who keeps them (EC 33190). These sections do not set a schedule or procedure for reviewing records.
Independent Study Through Public School or Charter School
- Your child enrolls in the independent study program of a school district, county office of education, or charter school. For independent study scheduled for more than 15 schooldays, the pupil, parent, and supervising certificated employee sign a written agreement before it begins (EC 51747(g)(9)).
- You do not need a teaching credential. Your school assigns a credentialed teacher who coordinates, evaluates, and supervises your child's independent study (EC 51747.5(a)).
- The school credits each independent study day when the time value of pupil work and synchronous instruction meets the applicable minimum schoolday (EC 51747.5(b)(2)).
- These are the grades for the English language arts and mathematics assessments. The CAASPP also includes science assessments (EC 60640(b)(2)).
- The school administers the CAASPP and reports to the Superintendent of Public Instruction (EC 60640(f), (n)).
- The school documents each pupil's participation and attendance in independent study (EC 51747.5(b), (c)).
- The school keeps a grade book or summary listing all assignments, assessments, and grades (EC 51747.5(d)).
- The school keeps one completed work product in English language arts, mathematics, history-social science, and science for each of three attendance periods (EC 51747.5(b)(2)(A)(iii)).
- The school's independent study records are reviewed in the state compliance audit (EC 51747.5(f)).
- Each school year you sign a new written independent study agreement with your school. No agreement can last longer than one school year (EC 51747(g)(5), (g)(9)). You file nothing with the state.
- Your child turns in assignments on the schedule in your written agreement, and a credentialed teacher employed by the school evaluates the work and tracks progress (EC 51747(b), (g)(1); EC 51747.5(a)). You send no progress reports to the state.
Private School Satellite Program (PSP / Umbrella School)
- The satellite program, as the private school, files the annual Private School Affidavit (EC 33190). The law lets one administrative unit file a single report for the schools it controls or supervises. The statute does not name satellite programs.
- The law requires instruction by persons capable of teaching. CDE names a teaching credential only for the private tutor option. The satellite program may set its own requirements.
- State testing is not required for private schools. A private school or satellite program may set its own assessments; transfer or admission testing is separate. This does not apply to public-school independent study or establish a private-tutor exemption.
- EC 48222 requires private school authorities to keep a register of each pupil's attendance that shows every absence of a half day or more. In a satellite program, the program is the private school and keeps this register.
- The district attendance supervisor verifies that the private school (here, the satellite program) filed its Private School Affidavit (EC 48222). The affidavit states where the school's records are kept and who keeps them (EC 33190). These sections do not set a schedule or procedure for reviewing records.
- Your satellite program, as the private school, files the Private School Affidavit with the California Department of Education each October (EC 33190). You do not file it yourself.
Private Tutor
- Instruction must be offered between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. (EC 48224).
- EC 48224 sets minimums of three hours a day for 175 days each calendar year, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., but does not require an attendance record.
The essentials under the Home-Based Private School (Private School Affidavit)
- 1Notification requirements vary by pathway
- 2Required subjects vary by pathway
- 3Assessment requirements vary by pathway
- 4Instructional time requirements vary by pathway
- 5Reporting requirements vary by pathway
California offers 4 options. See all below.
What to know about homeschooling in California
Most of what you need to know for a home-based private school comes from three sections of the Education Code. EC Section 33190 requires anyone offering private school instruction to file an affidavit each year. The statutory filing period is October 1 through 15, and the CDE's online system stays open from August 1 through June 30 so new home schools can file when they start. EC Section 48222 requires instruction by "persons capable of teaching," in English, in the several branches of study required in the public schools, with attendance kept in a register. The CDE points families to EC Sections 51210 and 51220 for the public school courses of study.
The state does not require testing of private schools, and it sets no minimum days or hours for them. Under EC Section 48222, your child's exemption from public school attendance is valid only after the district's attendance supervisor verifies that your affidavit was filed. The CDE's FAQ says you are required to provide a copy of your affidavit to the attendance supervisor.
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Build My Plan →Claims and source coverage
Every fact checked against official state law
- Facts backed by official law
- 114 / 114
- Quoted word for word from the law
- 111
- Confirmed not required by law
- 3
Explore the individual claims and cited sources behind this state's requirements.
63
source records linked
Additional reference links: 3 sources including the state DOE and HSLDA.
Review status
Last reviewed October 2026. We check California's official sources for changes twice a week.
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How homeschooling works in California
California offers 4 options to homeschool. The most common is highlighted.
California families can establish a home-based private school by filing their own affidavit, enroll in a private school satellite program (PSP) that files its own affidavit as a private school, use a tutor who holds a valid state credential for the grade taught (EC Section 48224), or enroll in a public charter or public school independent study program. Independent study students remain public school students, so the school sets the program's requirements. Ask the school about its rules on curriculum, meetings, and state testing before you enroll.
| Private School AffidavitMost common | Independent Study | PSP / Umbrella School | Private Tutor | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Filing | Annual (October 1 through October 15 annually) | None | None | None |
| Testing | None | Test (grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11) | None | None |
| Credential | None | None | None | Teaching credential |
| Subjects | Set by program | Set by school per California state standards | Set by program | Set by program |
| Hours/days | None | None | None | 175 days/yr, 3 hrs/day |
| Records | Attendance | None | Attendance | None |
Home-Based Private School (Private School Affidavit)
Notification
Varies by pathway
EC Section 33190 (annual Private School Affidavit filing); EC Section 48222 (private school exemption from compulsory attendance) ·
Required subjects
Varies by pathway
EC Section 51210 (elementary courses of study, grades 1-6); EC Section 51220 (secondary courses of study, grades 7-12) ·
Testing / assessment
Varies by pathway
Instructional time
Varies by pathway
EC Section 48222 ('private full-time day school'; full-time not defined for private schools) ·
Sourced from EC Sections 48222 and 33190. Last reviewed October 2026 · 28 individual claims tracked
Independent Study Through Public School or Charter School
Notification
None required
Sourced from EC Sections 51745-51749.6. Last reviewed October 2026 · 24 individual claims tracked
Private School Satellite Program (PSP / Umbrella School)
Notification
None required
Required subjects
See curriculum requirements in the cited source
EC Section 51210 (elementary courses of study); EC Section 51220 (secondary courses of study) ·
Testing / assessment
None required
Instructional time
See instructional-time requirements in the cited source
EC Section 48222 ('private full-time day school'; full-time not defined for private schools) ·
Sourced from EC Sections 48222 and 33190. Last reviewed October 2026 · 27 individual claims tracked
Private Tutor
Notification
None required
Required subjects
See curriculum requirements in the cited source
EC Section 51210 (elementary courses of study); EC Section 51220 (secondary courses of study) ·
Testing / assessment
None required
Instructional time
175 days/year, 3 hours/day
EC Section 48224 (minimum 3 hours/day, 175 days/year, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.) ·
Sourced from EC Section 48224. Last reviewed October 2026 · 29 individual claims tracked
Forms and filings
Private School Affidavit
Issued by: California Department of Education (CDE)
When due: October 1 through October 15 annually
View form →California-specific tips
Practical guidanceHigh school. No California law or regulation sets graduation or diploma requirements for private schools, so you create your own diploma and transcripts. The CDE suggests checking with specific colleges, technical schools, and employers about their admission or eligibility rules. It lists the GED and the California Proficiency Program as alternative diploma equivalencies.
Returning to public school. Filing the affidavit does not affect your child's right to a public school education; you may enroll at any time. Public school districts set their own policies for placing new students and recognizing credits.
IEP and special needs. If your child has an IEP and you leave public school, the IEP does not follow your child into a private school. Under EC Section 56300, local educational agencies must actively seek out children with exceptional needs, including children not enrolled in public school programs, so you can ask your district about an evaluation.
Keep a copy of your affidavit. The CDE says a copy of the affidavit should be kept at the school, along with the attendance register, courses of study, and faculty names, addresses, and qualifications.
Explore California homeschool guides
How to Start
Step-by-step guide to getting started in California
Compliance Checklist
Every requirement in one checklist
Documents & Templates
Forms, letters, and what to file
Deadlines & Calendar
Filing dates and assessment deadlines
Assessment Requirements
Testing rules and what scores mean
High School
Transcripts, diplomas, and college prep
Special Needs
IEP services, therapy access, and rights
Compare with Another State
Side-by-side law comparison for relocating families
Your independent resources
Official sources and independent organizations are listed separately below. Check the source and effective date before relying on an unresolved requirement.
State DOE
California Department of EducationLast reviewed October 2026 · How we verify