How to start homeschooling in California
Everything California asks of a homeschool family, in order, from the state’s own sources, checked October 1, 2026. Each step links to a free tool that does it, and there’s a checklist to print at the end.
Step 0: choose how you’ll homeschool
California gives families 3 legal ways to homeschool. Each has its own steps below. Choose one to see its steps.
Home-based private school: step by step
Make sure this option fits your family
Parent establishes a home-based private school, files the Private School Affidavit (PSA) with the Superintendent of Public Instruction each year, teaches in English the branches of study required in public schools, and keeps an attendance register.
Required school ages in California: 6 to 18. Teacher qualification for this option: Instruction must be by 'persons capable of teaching' (EC 48222); no credential required.
If your child is in school now, withdraw in writing
Send the school a dated withdrawal letter saying your child will be educated at home, and keep a copy. California also asks for a notice under this option (the next step); file it by its deadline.
File your notice
Required.
When: Between October 1 and October 15 each year (EC 33190).
What it includes: Private School Affidavit filed annually with the Superintendent of Public Instruction (online via CDE), under penalty of perjury. Filing a PSA is not approval or accreditation by CDE. The online system is open August 1 through June 30 for new schools; schools established in July wait until the filing period opens in August.
California names its own form, affidavit or filing for this. Use that where it’s required; our letter can go with it as a cover letter or a record.
Plan your school year: days and hours
California doesn’t set a number of days or hours for this option.
No minimum days set for private schools in EC 48222. No minimum hours set for private schools in EC 48222.
Planning about 180 days, as schools do, gives the year a shape and makes a move to another state easier.
Cover the required subjects
English, mathematics, social sciences, science, visual and performing arts, health, physical education.
EC 48222: instruction in English 'in the several branches of study required to be taught in the public schools.' Elementary grades (EC 51210): English, mathematics, social sciences, science, visual and performing arts, health, physical education. Grades 7-12 (EC 51220): English, social sciences, foreign language, physical education, science, mathematics, visual and performing arts, applied arts, career technical education, automobile driver education.
Testing or evaluation
Not required under this option.
Keep the records the state asks for
Required.
Attendance register indicating clearly every absence of a half day or more (EC 48222). CDE also lists keeping courses of study offered and the names, addresses and educational qualifications of faculty.
Start teaching
Put your books on a lesson schedule, and the planner spreads the lessons across your school days and moves them when a day is missed. Log attendance in a tap, and keep grades, a portfolio and a transcript as you go.
High school and graduation
CDE: 'You will need to create your own diploma and transcripts for your home-based private school.'
Official sources for this option
Not confirmed on an official page: Statute text read via CDE's Education Code page; leginfo.legislature.ca.gov could not be read. Immunization rules for home-based private schools not verified. Check these points with the state or your local school district before you rely on them; everything else above comes from the official sources listed.
Private tutor with a valid California teaching credential: step by step
Make sure this option fits your family
Child is taught by a tutor (who may be the parent) holding a valid state credential for the grade taught, at least 3 hours a day for 175 days a year, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Required school ages in California: 6 to 18. Teacher qualification for this option: Tutor must hold a valid state credential for the grade taught.
If your child is in school now, withdraw in writing
Send the school a dated withdrawal letter saying your child will be educated at home, and keep a copy. California doesn’t require a separate notice under this option, so the letter is the school’s record that your child has left.
No notice to file
California doesn’t require a notice or registration under this option.
No PSA required for students instructed by a credentialed tutor under EC 48224 (CDE PSA FAQ).
Plan your school year: days and hours
California sets a minimum.
175 days each calendar year (EC 48224). At least three hours a day, offered between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. (EC 48224).
Cover the required subjects
English, mathematics, social sciences, science, visual and performing arts, health, physical education.
The several branches of study required in the public schools, in English (EC 48224); see EC 51210 (elementary grades) and EC 51220 (grades 7-12).
Testing or evaluation
Not required under this option.
Keep records anyway
California doesn’t require records under this option.
Our suggestion: keep attendance, a reading log and a few work samples each year. A move to another state, a college, or a question from the district is much easier with them.
Start teaching
Put your books on a lesson schedule, and the planner spreads the lessons across your school days and moves them when a day is missed. Log attendance in a tap, and keep grades, a portfolio and a transcript as you go.
High school and graduation
No statute reviewed sets graduation requirements for this option.
Official sources for this option
Not confirmed on an official page: Record-keeping requirements for the tutor option not confirmed. Check these points with the state or your local school district before you rely on them; everything else above comes from the official sources listed.
Enroll in an existing private school offering independent study: step by step
Make sure this option fits your family
Child is enrolled in an existing private school (one that files its own PSA) that offers online learning or independent study, with the parent teaching at home.
Required school ages in California: 6 to 18. Teacher qualification for this option: Persons capable of teaching (EC 48222).
If your child is in school now, withdraw in writing
Send the school a dated withdrawal letter saying your child will be educated at home, and keep a copy. California doesn’t require a separate notice under this option, so the letter is the school’s record that your child has left.
No notice to file
California doesn’t require a notice or registration under this option.
The private school, not the parent, files the PSA (EC 33190).
Plan your school year: days and hours
California doesn’t set a number of days or hours for this option.
Set by the private school.
Planning about 180 days, as schools do, gives the year a shape and makes a move to another state easier.
Cover the required subjects
English, mathematics, social sciences, science, visual and performing arts, health, physical education.
Same EC 48222 requirement as any private school.
Testing or evaluation
Not required under this option.
Keep the records the state asks for
Required.
Attendance register kept by private school authorities (EC 48222).
Start teaching
Put your books on a lesson schedule, and the planner spreads the lessons across your school days and moves them when a day is missed. Log attendance in a tap, and keep grades, a portfolio and a transcript as you go.
High school and graduation
Diploma requirements set by the private school.
Official sources for this option
Your California checklist
Homeschool Corral · How to start homeschooling in California · homeschoolcorral.com
- Read California’s rules for “Home-based private school”
- Withdraw from school in writing (if enrolled), and keep a copy
- File the notice (Between October 1 and October 15 each year (EC 33190))
- Set the first and last day, school days and breaks
- Choose curriculum for each required subject
- Start the required records from day one
- Make a first-week plan and start
- Read California’s rules for “Private tutor with a valid California teaching credential”
- Withdraw from school in writing (if enrolled), and keep a copy
- Set the first and last day, school days and breaks (meeting the state minimum)
- Choose curriculum for each required subject
- Start a simple attendance log and reading log
- Make a first-week plan and start
- Read California’s rules for “Enroll in an existing private school offering independent study”
- Withdraw from school in writing (if enrolled), and keep a copy
- Set the first and last day, school days and breaks
- Choose curriculum for each required subject
- Start the required records from day one
- Make a first-week plan and start
Questions California parents ask
Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in California?
Home-based private school: Yes. When: Between October 1 and October 15 each year (EC 33190). What to file: Private School Affidavit filed annually with the Superintendent of Public Instruction (online via CDE), under penalty of perjury. Filing a PSA is not approval or accreditation by CDE. The online system is open August 1 through June 30 for new schools; schools established in July wait until the filing period opens in August.
Private tutor with a valid California teaching credential: No. California doesn’t require a notice or registration under this option.
Enroll in an existing private school offering independent study: No. California doesn’t require a notice or registration under this option.
How many days or hours do homeschoolers need in California?
Home-based private school: No minimum days set for private schools in EC 48222. No minimum hours set for private schools in EC 48222.
Private tutor with a valid California teaching credential: 175 days each calendar year (EC 48224). At least three hours a day, offered between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. (EC 48224).
Enroll in an existing private school offering independent study: Set by the private school.
Do homeschoolers have to take tests in California?
Home-based private school: No testing requirement in EC 48222 or 33190.
Private tutor with a valid California teaching credential: No testing requirement in EC 48224.
Enroll in an existing private school offering independent study: No testing is required.
Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in California?
Home-based private school: Instruction must be by 'persons capable of teaching' (EC 48222); no credential required.
Private tutor with a valid California teaching credential: Tutor must hold a valid state credential for the grade taught.
Enroll in an existing private school offering independent study: Persons capable of teaching (EC 48222).
What subjects are required in California?
Home-based private school: English, mathematics, social sciences, science, visual and performing arts, health, physical education.
Private tutor with a valid California teaching credential: English, mathematics, social sciences, science, visual and performing arts, health, physical education.
Enroll in an existing private school offering independent study: English, mathematics, social sciences, science, visual and performing arts, health, physical education.
What records do I need to keep in California?
Home-based private school: Attendance register indicating clearly every absence of a half day or more (EC 48222). CDE also lists keeping courses of study offered and the names, addresses and educational qualifications of faculty.
Private tutor with a valid California teaching credential: California doesn’t require records. Keeping attendance, a reading log and work samples is still wise.
Enroll in an existing private school offering independent study: Attendance register kept by private school authorities (EC 48222).
Keep going
This is a plain-English summary of the state’s official sources, checked on the date shown. It is not legal advice, and laws change. Read the linked official pages, and check with the state or your local school district if anything is unclear.
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