South Carolina homeschool requirements

To homeschool in South Carolina, choose one of three accountability pathways — the local district, SCAIHS, or a qualifying association. Provide 180 days at 4.5 hours/day. Testing applies under the district option; the associations set their own.

Last reviewed June 5, 2026 · Sources below

Moderate regulation Notice required Instruction time by pathway Testing or evaluation by pathway

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South Carolina homeschool requirements at a glance

Notice: RequiredWhere it goes: One of three accountability bodies: the local school district board, SCAIHS, or a qualifying association (50+ members). When: By the 10th day after the public-school year starts (or before starting mid-year); annually.
Required subjects: Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies/History
Instruction time: Set by pathway180 days; at least 4.5 hours/day (Option 1; Options 2/3 set similar standards).
Testing or evaluation: Yes — annualOption 1 (school district) — statewide testing; Options 2 and 3 (SCAIHS / association) set their own. Option 1 requires the public-school statewide assessments (SC READY grades 3–8, SC PASS science, EOC at high school), administered by a certified employee. Options 2 and 3 provide their own accountability; no state test is required. A first-grade readiness test also applies under Option 1.
Records: Yes — activity log, portfolio, progress reports
Parent qualifications: Required
Compulsory attendance ages: 5–17
Ways to homeschool: Three pathways
Law: S.C. Code §§ 59-65-40, -45, -47
Official source: ed.sc.gov ↗

Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in South Carolina?

Yes. South Carolina requires homeschooling families to file a notice. Where it goes: One of three accountability bodies: the local school district board, SCAIHS, or a qualifying association (50+ members). How: Enrollment/registration with the chosen body. When: By the 10th day after the public-school year starts (or before starting mid-year); annually. Families enroll with one of three accountability options annually; each has its own process and requirements.

What subjects does South Carolina require homeschoolers to teach?

South Carolina requires instruction in Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies/History. Option 1 (§ 59-65-40) specifies these plus composition and literature for grades 7–12. Options 2 and 3 require comparable instruction per their association standards.

How many days or hours of instruction does South Carolina require?

South Carolina's rule: 180 days; at least 4.5 hours/day (Option 1; Options 2/3 set similar standards).

Is standardized testing required to homeschool in South Carolina?

Yes. South Carolina requires a test or another accepted form of evaluation. How often: Annual (Option 1); varies (Options 2/3). Who this applies to: Option 1 (school district) — statewide testing; Options 2 and 3 (SCAIHS / association) set their own. Accepted options: Option 1 (district): the statewide testing program (SC READY grades 3–8; SC PASS science; End-of-Course exams), administered by a certified school-district employee — not the parent and Options 2 and 3: assessment at the association's/parent's discretion (private tests), not state-administered. Option 1 requires the public-school statewide assessments (SC READY grades 3–8, SC PASS science, EOC at high school), administered by a certified employee. Options 2 and 3 provide their own accountability; no state test is required. A first-grade readiness test also applies under Option 1.

What records do I need to keep to homeschool in South Carolina?

South Carolina requires these records: plan book or diary of subjects and activities, portfolio of student work, and semiannual progress reports with attendance and assessments. How long, or where they go: Maintained and made available on request. Records are kept by the parent and presented to the oversight body, not the state.

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

Yes. South Carolina sets a qualification for the parent who teaches. Option 1: a high-school diploma/GED and a passing basic-skills exam, or a bachelor's degree. Options 2/3: a high-school diploma/GED (no basic-skills exam).

What ages does South Carolina's compulsory attendance law cover?

South Carolina's compulsory attendance law covers children from age 5 to age 17.

What are the ways to homeschool in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, families homeschool under one of three pathways: Option 1 (local school district); Option 2 (SCAIHS); and Option 3 (association of 50+ members).

Is homeschooling legal in South Carolina?

Yes. Homeschooling is legal in South Carolina, as it is in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. To homeschool in South Carolina, choose one of three accountability pathways — the local district, SCAIHS, or a qualifying association. Provide 180 days at 4.5 hours/day. Testing applies under the district option; the associations set their own.

How to get started in South Carolina

Choose an accountability option and enroll each year

Option 1: register with your local school district board. Option 2: join the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools (SCAIHS). Option 3: join a homeschool association with at least 50 members. Enroll every year by the 10th day after your district's public-school year starts, or before you begin if you start mid-year. Enrolling with your chosen option is how you give notice, and each option has its own process.

Official resource (ed.sc.gov) →

Teach at least 180 days

Plan a school year of at least 180 days. Option 1 also requires school days of at least 4.5 hours; Options 2 and 3 set similar standards through the association. Keep an attendance record.

Teach the required subjects

Reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies/history. Under Option 1 the statute adds composition and literature in grades 7–12; Options 2 and 3 require comparable instruction under their association's standards.

Meet the parent qualification

Under Options 2 and 3, the teaching parent needs a high-school diploma or GED. Option 1 asks more: a bachelor's degree, or a diploma or GED plus a passing score on a basic-skills exam.

Keep your records

Keep a plan book or diary of subjects and activities, a portfolio of your child's work, and semiannual progress reports with attendance and assessments. You hold them and make them available to your accountability option on request — they don't go to the state.

Testing applies to Option 1 only

Options 2 and 3 require no state test; any assessment is up to your association and you. Under Option 1, your child takes the annual statewide tests (SC READY in grades 3–8, SC PASS science, and end-of-course exams in high school), given by a certified school-district employee rather than the parent, plus a first-grade readiness test.

What Romeschool tracks for you: Attendance, testing reminders.

Get set up for South Carolina →South Carolina funding & ESAs Find field trips in South Carolina

If you take an ESA, your homeschool status changes: An ESTF participant CANNOT be in an Option 1-3 SC homeschool association; the signed agreement itself satisfies compulsory attendance + adds annual norm-referenced testing.

Sources for South Carolina

Official source (ed.sc.gov) ↗HSLDA's South Carolina summary ↗

Statute: S.C. Code §§ 59-65-40, -45, -47

Last reviewed: June 5, 2026

Every requirement above comes from our review of South Carolina’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 South Carolina:

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