Romeschool

Illinois homeschool requirements

Illinois treats home education as a private school. No registration is required; teach the branches of education in English. No testing.

Last reviewed June 5, 2026 · Sources below

Minimal regulation
Another state:

Illinois homeschool requirements at a glance

Notice
Not required
Required subjects
Language Arts, Mathematics, Biological & Physical Science, Social Science, Fine Arts, Health & Physical Development
Instruction time
NoneNo hours or days minimum specified by statute.
Testing or evaluation
NoNo standardized testing required.
Records
No
Parent qualifications
Not required
Compulsory attendance ages
6–17
Ways to homeschool
Private school (no registration)
Law
105 ILCS 5/26-1
Official source
isbe.net ↗

Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in Illinois?

No. Illinois does not require homeschooling families to file a notice. No registration with the state/ISBE (a voluntary registration form exists). Families withdrawing from public school should notify the school to avoid a truancy referral.

What subjects does Illinois require homeschoolers to teach?

Illinois requires instruction in Language Arts, Mathematics, Biological & Physical Science, Social Science, Fine Arts, and Health & Physical Development. Taught in English; homeschool is legally a private school (People v. Levisen). The branches derive from the compulsory-attendance law (105 ILCS 5/26-1).

How many days or hours of instruction does Illinois require?

None. Illinois does not set a minimum number of instructional days or hours for homeschoolers. No hours or days minimum specified by statute.

Is standardized testing required to homeschool in Illinois?

No. Illinois does not require standardized testing for homeschooled students. No standardized testing required.

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

Illinois does not require homeschooling families to keep specific records. No statutory record-keeping; the parent bears the burden of showing equivalent instruction if challenged.

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

No. Illinois does not set a general qualification for homeschooling parents. No credential required; must teach competently.

What ages does Illinois's compulsory attendance law cover?

Illinois's compulsory attendance law covers children from age 6 to age 17.

What are the ways to homeschool in Illinois?

In Illinois, families homeschool under this pathway: private school (no registration).

Yes. Homeschooling is legal in Illinois, as it is in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Illinois treats home education as a private school. No registration is required; teach the branches of education in English. No testing.

How to get started in Illinois

1
Teach the required branches of education, in English
Language arts, mathematics, biological and physical science, social science, fine arts, and health and physical development — the branches set out in Illinois's compulsory-attendance law. Instruction must be in English, and you must teach competently; no teaching credential is required.
Official resource (isbe.net) →
2
Tell the school if you're withdrawing
Illinois requires no registration or notice. If your child is leaving a public school, let the school know you're withdrawing to homeschool, to avoid a truancy referral. A voluntary registration form exists, but you don't have to file anything.
3
No testing, hours, or required records
Illinois sets no minimum days or hours, requires no standardized testing, and has no record-keeping law. Keeping records is still wise: if your homeschool is ever challenged, it's up to you to show your child received equivalent instruction.
What Romeschool tracks for you: Attendance and subject coverage.

Sources for Illinois

Official source (isbe.net) ↗HSLDA's Illinois summary ↗
Statute: 105 ILCS 5/26-1
Last reviewed: June 5, 2026

Every requirement above comes from our review of Illinois’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 Illinois:

All 50 states & D.C. →