Start homeschooling · Tennessee

How to start homeschooling in Tennessee

Everything Tennessee 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.

Legal options2
Required school ages6 through 17
CheckedOctober 1, 2026

Step 0: choose how you’ll homeschool

Tennessee gives families 2 legal ways to homeschool. Each has its own steps below. Choose one to see its steps.

Independent home school: step by step

  1. Make sure this option fits your family

    The parent is the primary teacher and files an Intent to Home School form with the local school district each year. Instruction is four hours a day for 180 days, and students are tested in grades 5, 7 and 9.

    Required school ages in Tennessee: 6 through 17 (TDOE: between the ages of six and seventeen, inclusive). Teacher qualification for this option: Parent-teacher must have a high school diploma or a high school equivalency credential approved by the state board of education (grades K-12).

  2. 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. Tennessee also asks for a notice under this option (the next step); file it by its deadline.

    Write the withdrawal letter

  3. File your notice

    Required.

    When: Before the start of each school year (or when starting mid-year).

    What it includes: Intent to Home School form filed annually with the local public school system (student name, grade, age, birthdate, subjects, daily hours of instruction; parent information; documentation of the parent's high school diploma or equivalency). Families may begin at any point in the school year.

    Tennessee 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.

    Write the notice of intent

  4. Plan your school year: days and hours

    Tennessee sets a minimum.

    180 days per year. Four hours per day.

    Check your days and hoursMake a school calendar

  5. Cover the required subjects

    Tennessee doesn’t list required subjects for this option.

    TDOE: no mandated curriculum; parents select the curriculum.

    Find curriculum with lesson counts

  6. Testing or evaluation

    Required in grades 5, 7 and 9.

    Grades 5, 7 and 9: either a nationally normed standardized test selected and paid for by the parent-teacher, or the state board-approved assessment (TCAP) administered by the local school district. Tested on reading/language arts, math, science and social studies. Results go to the school district.

    Put the dates on your state calendar

  7. Keep the records the state asks for

    Required.

    Parent-teacher reports attendance to the local school district and maintains student records.

    Printable logsKeep them in My Homeschool

  8. 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.

    Start a free plan in My HomeschoolAll free tools

  9. High school and graduation

    Parent-teachers set graduation requirements and create and issue transcripts and diplomas.

    Keep a transcriptGPA calculatorSample transcript
Also good to know in Tennessee: Home schools must be given information about meningococcal disease annually. LEA may request proof of health services if the student participates in LEA-sponsored interscholastic/extracurricular activities.

Official sources for this option

Not confirmed on an official page: Statute text of §49-6-3050 could not be read from an official site. A specific statutory notice date (e.g., August 1), when attendance records are submitted, and any consequence of low test scores were 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.

Your Tennessee checklist

Tick as you go, or print it. Nothing here is saved or sent anywhere.

Homeschool Corral · How to start homeschooling in Tennessee · homeschoolcorral.com

  • Read Tennessee’s rules for “Independent home school”
  • Withdraw from school in writing (if enrolled), and keep a copy
  • File the notice (Before the start of each school year (or when starting mid-year))
  • Set the first and last day, school days and breaks (meeting the state minimum)
  • Choose curriculum for each required subject
  • Note the testing or evaluation years and deadlines (grades 5, 7 and 9)
  • Start the required records from day one
  • Make a first-week plan and start
  • Read Tennessee’s rules for “Home school under a church-related (umbrella) school, Category IV”
  • 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 Tennessee parents ask

Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in Tennessee?

Independent home school: Yes. When: Before the start of each school year (or when starting mid-year). What to file: Intent to Home School form filed annually with the local public school system (student name, grade, age, birthdate, subjects, daily hours of instruction; parent information; documentation of the parent's high school diploma or equivalency). Families may begin at any point in the school year.

Home school under a church-related (umbrella) school, Category IV: No. Tennessee doesn’t require a notice or registration under this option.

How many days or hours do homeschoolers need in Tennessee?

Independent home school: 180 days per year. Four hours per day.

Home school under a church-related (umbrella) school, Category IV: Not specified on TDOE pages; set by the umbrella school.

Do homeschoolers have to take tests in Tennessee?

Independent home school: Yes, in grades 5, 7 and 9. Grades 5, 7 and 9: either a nationally normed standardized test selected and paid for by the parent-teacher, or the state board-approved assessment (TCAP) administered by the local school district. Tested on reading/language arts, math, science and social studies. Results go to the school district.

Home school under a church-related (umbrella) school, Category IV: No. The church-related school is responsible for testing its enrolled students.

Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in Tennessee?

Independent home school: Parent-teacher must have a high school diploma or a high school equivalency credential approved by the state board of education (grades K-12).

Home school under a church-related (umbrella) school, Category IV: For grades 9-12, parent-teacher must have at least a high school diploma or equivalency credential approved by the State Board of Education.

What subjects are required in Tennessee?

Independent home school: Tennessee doesn’t list required subjects.

Home school under a church-related (umbrella) school, Category IV: Tennessee doesn’t list required subjects.

What records do I need to keep in Tennessee?

Independent home school: Parent-teacher reports attendance to the local school district and maintains student records.

Home school under a church-related (umbrella) school, Category IV: The church-related umbrella school keeps student records and reports attendance.

Keep going

Tennessee homeschool rules in fullEvery option, by grade, with the state’s sources Moving to or from Tennessee?See what changes, side by side Tennessee scholarshipsFor homeschool students, with deadlines Plan your year, freeMy Homeschool, free while we’re in beta; an invite code is needed to create an account

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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