Homeschooling in California

The homeschool rules in California, from official sources: your options, any notice, what to teach and record, testing, official forms, the law and who to contact.

Homeschooling? Classfern Family keeps your plans, tutors’ lessons and records in one place – £40 (about $50) a year for your whole family. What’s in Family

Last checked: October 25, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice – check your state’s official page: California official page.

Broad level: Low regulation – our own rough summary, what the levels mean.

Your options

No homeschool statute. (1) Home-based private school: file a Private School Affidavit (PSA) with CDE (EC 33190, 48222). (2) Private tutor holding a valid California teaching credential for the grade (EC 48224); no PSA needed. (3) Public options: independent study, home-based study or charter programs. (4) enroll in an existing private school's independent study program.

Not yet confirmed: whether filing a Private School Affidavit makes a home a legal private school is debated (a county page cites cases saying it does not, while CDE accepts PSAs from parents). Check your state’s official page: California official page.

Notice or letter of intent

PSA filed online with CDE. The statutory window is 1-October 15 each year; the system is open 1 Aug-June 30 for new schools and homeschools (closed in July). The district attendance supervisor must verify the PSA before the exemption is valid. Withdrawal does not need a PSA first, but the child is not exempt until it is verified.

Need a letter? See our letter of intent and withdrawal letter templates – but use the official form below if there is one.

Subjects, time, assessment and records

Subjects: The branches of study required in public schools (EC 51210 for grades 1-6, 51220 for grades 7-12). Private tutor: the same branches.
Days or hours: Private school: no minimum days set. Private tutor: at least 3 hours a day between 8 am and 4 pm, 175 days a calendar year, in English.
Testing or assessment: No state testing required for private schools.
Records: Keep a copy of the affidavit, courses of study, faculty names/addresses/qualifications (and background check information), and an attendance register recording absences of a half day or more. CDE also recommends pupil records (5 CCR 430-437).

Parent qualifications

Private school: instructors must be 'capable of teaching'; no credential required. Private tutor: valid California teaching credential.

Other rules

The PSA is a registration only, not approval. Parents provide all curriculum. Ages 6-18 are compulsory (EC 48200).

Official forms

PSA online filing: cde.ca.gov/… (2025-26 system: https://www3.cde.ca.gov/psa)

The law

Cal. Educ. Code 48200, 48222, 48224, 33190, 51210, 51220 – read the law

Who to contact

California Department of Education (CDE) – Private School Data (Private Schools)[email protected] · 916-319-0800 · Official pageWho handles notices: Both

Special education and public school classes and sports

Not stated on the CDE pages checked. You can enroll in public school at any time; districts set placement and credit policies.

Federal rules on Child Find and evaluations apply in every state – see special education.

Going back to public school in California

To enroll your child in a public school in California, contact the enrollment or registration office of your local school district or public school. Ask how it decides grade placement and whether it accepts credits from homeschooling before your child starts, and bring the records you choose to share. We didn’t find a state rule on this for California in the official sources we checked – see the California official page and ask the district.

See going back to school after homeschooling for what to bring, placement, credits and special education.

Last checked: October 25, 2026. Report a change to this page

Official sources

Last checked against these sources: October 25, 2026.

This is general information, not legal advice – check your state’s official page. This page sums up official sources in our own words. Homeschool laws differ from state to state and can change. Check your state’s official page and your local school district’s guidance, and get qualified advice for your situation. Classfern is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education, any state education agency, school district, College Board, ACT, the GED Testing Service, HiSET, CLT or the Common App.