How to start homeschooling in Florida
Everything Florida 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
Florida gives families 3 legal ways to homeschool. Each has its own steps below. Choose one to see its steps.
Home education program: step by step
Make sure this option fits your family
Parent registers a home education program with the county school superintendent, keeps a portfolio, and files an annual educational evaluation.
Required school ages in Florida: 6 (by February 1 of the school year) to 16; a 16-year-old may leave only by filing a formal declaration of intent to terminate enrollment. Teacher qualification for this option: No parent qualification. Evaluators must hold a valid regular Florida teaching certificate (or be a licensed psychologist, etc.).
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. Florida also asks for a notice under this option (the next step); file it by its deadline.
File your notice
Required.
When: Within 30 days of establishing the home education program.
What it includes: Written notice of intent to the district school superintendent of the county of residence, with each child's full legal name, address and birthdate; the superintendent must register the program on receipt. A written notice of termination, with the annual evaluation, is filed within 30 days of ending the program.
Florida 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
Florida doesn’t set a number of days or hours for this option.
No minimum days in statute. FLDOE: 'There are no specific hourly requirements for students in a home education program.'
Planning about 180 days, as schools do, gives the year a shape and makes a move to another state easier.
Cover the required subjects
Florida doesn’t list required subjects for this option.
No required subjects; FLDOE says the statute 'does not prescribe a curriculum or course of study for home education programs.'
Testing or evaluation
Required every year.
Annual educational evaluation filed with the district superintendent's office, by one of: (1) a Florida-certified teacher reviewing the portfolio and discussing it with the student; (2) a nationally normed achievement test administered by a certified teacher; (3) a state student assessment administered by a certified teacher; (4) evaluation by a licensed psychologist or similar professional; (5) any other valid tool mutually agreed by superintendent and parent. Student must show educational progress 'commensurate with her or his ability.' FLDOE: due one year from the date of the letter of intent.
Keep the records the state asks for
Required.
Portfolio: a log of educational activities made contemporaneously with instruction, including titles of reading materials, plus samples of writings, worksheets, workbooks or creative materials. Preserve for 2 years; available for inspection by the superintendent on 15 days' written notice.
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 statutory graduation requirements for home education. FLDOE: no public school diploma is issued; a parent-signed affidavit of completion (notarized letter) is regularly accepted by state colleges and universities.
Official sources for this option
Enrollment in a private school: step by step
Make sure this option fits your family
Child is enrolled in a private school (which may supervise home-based instruction); the private school, not the district, handles records.
Required school ages in Florida: 6 (by February 1 of the school year) to 16; a 16-year-old may leave only by filing a formal declaration of intent to terminate enrollment. Teacher qualification for this option: Not specified for parents.
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. Florida 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
Florida doesn’t require a notice or registration under this option.
No notice from the parent to the district. The private school must file an annual database survey with the Department of Education.
Plan your school year: days and hours
Florida doesn’t set a number of days or hours for this option.
Not specified in F.S. 1002.42.
Planning about 180 days, as schools do, gives the year a shape and makes a move to another state easier.
Cover the required subjects
Florida doesn’t list required subjects for this option.
Not specified; the state may not control private school curricula (F.S. 1003.21).
Testing or evaluation
Not required under this option.
No state-mandated assessment in F.S. 1002.42.
Keep the records the state asks for
Required.
Private school staff must keep attendance records per F.S. 1003.23(2).
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 graduation requirements in F.S. 1002.42; the private school sets requirements and issues the diploma.
Official sources for this option
Not confirmed on an official page: Whether a private school must report its students' names to the district was not confirmed; the summarized statute text indicates no such reporting duty. 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 tutoring program: step by step
Make sure this option fits your family
Instruction by a Florida-certified teacher (can be a parent who holds certification) who meets attendance-time and reporting rules.
Required school ages in Florida: 6 (by February 1 of the school year) to 16; a 16-year-old may leave only by filing a formal declaration of intent to terminate enrollment. Teacher qualification for this option: Must hold a valid Florida certificate to teach the subjects or grades in which instruction is given.
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. Florida 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
Florida doesn’t require a notice or registration under this option.
No separate notice; tutor makes all reports required by the state and district school board, including regular attendance reports.
Plan your school year: days and hours
Florida sets a minimum.
Students must be in attendance for the minimum term in F.S. 1011.60(2): '180 actual teaching days or the equivalent on an hourly basis as specified by rules of the State Board of Education.' Or the hourly equivalent of 180 days set by State Board rule.
Cover the required subjects
Florida doesn’t list required subjects for this option.
No subject list in F.S. 1002.43.
Testing or evaluation
Not required under this option.
None specified in F.S. 1002.43.
Keep the records the state asks for
Required.
Keeps all records and makes all reports required by the state and district school board; regular attendance reports.
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 graduation provisions in F.S. 1002.43.
Official sources for this option
Not confirmed on an official page: Hourly equivalent of the 180-day term (State Board rule) not checked. 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.
Your Florida checklist
Homeschool Corral · How to start homeschooling in Florida · homeschoolcorral.com
- Read Florida’s rules for “Home education program”
- Withdraw from school in writing (if enrolled), and keep a copy
- File the notice (Within 30 days of establishing the home education program)
- Set the first and last day, school days and breaks
- Choose curriculum for each required subject
- Note the testing or evaluation years and deadlines
- Start the required records from day one
- Make a first-week plan and start
- Read Florida’s rules for “Enrollment in a private school”
- 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
- Read Florida’s rules for “Private tutoring program”
- 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 the required records from day one
- Make a first-week plan and start
Questions Florida parents ask
Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in Florida?
Home education program: Yes. When: Within 30 days of establishing the home education program. What to file: Written notice of intent to the district school superintendent of the county of residence, with each child's full legal name, address and birthdate; the superintendent must register the program on receipt. A written notice of termination, with the annual evaluation, is filed within 30 days of ending the program.
Enrollment in a private school: No. Florida doesn’t require a notice or registration under this option.
Private tutoring program: No. Florida doesn’t require a notice or registration under this option.
How many days or hours do homeschoolers need in Florida?
Home education program: No minimum days in statute. FLDOE: 'There are no specific hourly requirements for students in a home education program.'
Enrollment in a private school: Not specified in F.S. 1002.42.
Private tutoring program: Students must be in attendance for the minimum term in F.S. 1011.60(2): '180 actual teaching days or the equivalent on an hourly basis as specified by rules of the State Board of Education.' Or the hourly equivalent of 180 days set by State Board rule.
Do homeschoolers have to take tests in Florida?
Home education program: Yes, every year. Annual educational evaluation filed with the district superintendent's office, by one of: (1) a Florida-certified teacher reviewing the portfolio and discussing it with the student; (2) a nationally normed achievement test administered by a certified teacher; (3) a state student assessment administered by a certified teacher; (4) evaluation by a licensed psychologist or similar professional; (5) any other valid tool mutually agreed by superintendent and parent. Student must show educational progress 'commensurate with her or his ability.' FLDOE: due one year from the date of the letter of intent.
Enrollment in a private school: No state-mandated assessment in F.S. 1002.42.
Private tutoring program: None specified in F.S. 1002.43.
Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in Florida?
Home education program: No parent qualification. Evaluators must hold a valid regular Florida teaching certificate (or be a licensed psychologist, etc.).
Enrollment in a private school: Not specified for parents.
Private tutoring program: Must hold a valid Florida certificate to teach the subjects or grades in which instruction is given.
What subjects are required in Florida?
Home education program: Florida doesn’t list required subjects.
Enrollment in a private school: Florida doesn’t list required subjects.
Private tutoring program: Florida doesn’t list required subjects.
What records do I need to keep in Florida?
Home education program: Portfolio: a log of educational activities made contemporaneously with instruction, including titles of reading materials, plus samples of writings, worksheets, workbooks or creative materials. Preserve for 2 years; available for inspection by the superintendent on 15 days' written notice.
Enrollment in a private school: Private school staff must keep attendance records per F.S. 1003.23(2).
Private tutoring program: Keeps all records and makes all reports required by the state and district school board; regular attendance reports.
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.
Start homeschooling in another state: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming