Romeschool

California homeschool requirements

Most California homeschoolers operate as a private school by filing a Private School Affidavit (PSA) each October 1–15. Alternative paths: a private-school satellite program (PSP) or a credentialed tutor. No state testing for PSA homeschoolers.

Last reviewed June 5, 2026 · Sources below

Moderate regulation Notice required Attendance records
Another state:

California homeschool requirements at a glance

Notice
RequiredWhere it goes: California Department of Education (CDE). When: Annually, October 1–15 (the CDE system is open Aug 1–Jun 30 for mid-year starts).
Required subjects
English, Mathematics, Social Sciences, Science, Visual & Performing Arts, Health, Physical Education
Instruction time
Attendance recordsMaintain an attendance register documenting every absence of a half-day or more; keep available for inspection.
Testing or evaluation
NoNo California statute requires testing for homeschoolers operating under the PSA private-school pathway.
Records
Yes — attendance, filed forms, plan
Parent qualifications
Not required
Compulsory attendance ages
6–18
Ways to homeschool
Three pathways
Law
Cal. Educ. Code §§ 33190, 48222, 51210, 51220
Official source
cde.ca.gov ↗

Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in California?

Yes. California requires homeschooling families to file a notice. Where it goes: California Department of Education (CDE). How: Private School Affidavit (PSA) filed online via the CDE portal. When: Annually, October 1–15 (the CDE system is open Aug 1–Jun 30 for mid-year starts). The PSA establishes the home as a private school; it is not state approval or licensing. The PSA captures faculty, courses of study, enrollment by grade, and the address of instruction.

What subjects does California require homeschoolers to teach?

California requires instruction in English, Mathematics, Social Sciences, Science, Visual & Performing Arts, Health, and Physical Education. PSA homeschools must teach, in English, the 'several branches of study' required in public schools (Educ. Code § 48222; § 51210 grades 1–6; § 51220 adds foreign language, applied/career arts, driver ed for grades 7–12).

How many days or hours of instruction does California require?

California's rule: Maintain an attendance register documenting every absence of a half-day or more; keep available for inspection.

Is standardized testing required to homeschool in California?

No. California does not require standardized testing for homeschooled students. No California statute requires testing for homeschoolers operating under the PSA private-school pathway.

What records do I need to keep to homeschool in California?

California requires these records: attendance register, copy of the filed PSA, faculty names/qualifications, courses of study, and individual pupil records. Records are kept on-site at the home school (CCR Title 5 governs pupil records). Immunization records also required.

Do parents need a teaching certificate or other qualification to homeschool in California?

No. California does not set a general qualification for homeschooling parents. No credential for the PSA pathway. The separate credentialed-tutor pathway requires a valid California teaching credential.

What ages does California's compulsory attendance law cover?

California's compulsory attendance law covers children from age 6 to age 18.

What are the ways to homeschool in California?

In California, families homeschool under one of three pathways: private school affidavit (PSA); private-school satellite program (PSP); and credentialed tutor.

Yes. Homeschooling is legal in California, as it is in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Most California homeschoolers operate as a private school by filing a Private School Affidavit (PSA) each October 1–15. Alternative paths: a private-school satellite program (PSP) or a credentialed tutor. No state testing for PSA homeschoolers.

How to get started in California

1
File your Private School Affidavit
File online with the California Department of Education each year between October 1 and 15. Starting mid-year? The filing system is open August 1 through June 30. Filing establishes your home as a private school; it is not state approval or a license.
Official resource (cde.ca.gov) →
2
Teach the required subjects in English
English, math, social sciences, science, visual and performing arts, health, and physical education. For grades 7–12 the list adds a foreign language, applied arts, career technical education, and driver education.
3
Keep an attendance register
Record every absence of a half-day or more, and keep the register available for inspection.
4
Keep your school records at home
Keep your attendance register, a copy of your filed PSA, your courses of study, the names and qualifications of whoever teaches, individual pupil records, and immunization records at your home school.
5
Credentials, testing, and other options
A PSA home school needs no teaching credential, and there is no state testing. You can also homeschool through a private-school satellite program (PSP), or with a private tutor who holds a valid California teaching credential.
Official resource (cde.ca.gov) →
What Romeschool tracks for you: Attendance, hours, subject coverage.

Sources for California

Official source (cde.ca.gov) ↗HSLDA's California summary ↗
Statute: Cal. Educ. Code §§ 33190, 48222, 51210, 51220
Last reviewed: June 5, 2026

Every requirement above comes from our review of California’s rules, last checked against these sources on June 5, 2026. Homeschool law changes, and a state can amend its rules between our reviews — read the official source before you file anything or rely on a date here. How we review state requirements.

Nearby states

States that share a border with California:

All 50 states & D.C. →