Does Tennessee require standardized testing for homeschoolers?

Yes. Tennessee requires periodic standardized testing or an approved annual assessment for homeschooled students.

How many days or hours of instruction does Tennessee require?

Tennessee sets a minimum of 180 instructional days per year.

What records should you keep to homeschool in Tennessee?

For Tennessee, Romeschool tracks annual noi, attendance, testing reminders. so your records stay current and audit-ready.

Homeschooling in Tennessee

Q: Is homeschooling legal in Tennessee?

Yes. Homeschooling is legal in Tennessee and in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. File an annual Notice of Intent with your Director of Schools. 4 hours/day for 180 days. Standardized testing in grades 5, 7, and 9 for independent (Category I) homeschoolers — umbrella-school (Category IV) students are exempt.

Q: Do you have to register or file a notice of intent to homeschool in Tennessee?

Yes. Families in Tennessee need to send a notice of intent (or an equivalent form) before or shortly after they start homeschooling. File an annual Notice of Intent with your Director of Schools. 4 hours/day for 180 days. Standardized testing in grades 5, 7, and 9 for independent (Category I) homeschoolers — umbrella-school (Category IV) students are exempt.

File an annual Notice of Intent with your Director of Schools. 4 hours/day for 180 days. Standardized testing in grades 5, 7, and 9 for independent (Category I) homeschoolers — umbrella-school (Category IV) students are exempt.

Moderate regulationNotice of Intent requiredHour trackingAnnual testing

What Tennessee requires

File annual Notice of Intent

Send to your local Director of Schools (T.C.A. § 49-6-3050).

Official resource →

Provide 4 hours/day for 180 days

Keep attendance records.

Standardized testing

Grades 5, 7, and 9 — independent (Category I) pathway only; church-related umbrella (Category IV) students are statutorily exempt.

Parent qualification

High school diploma or GED for grades K–8; a bachelor's degree for grades 9–12 (independent pathway).

What Romeschool tracks for you: Annual NOI, attendance, testing reminders.

Recent Tennessee homeschool law changes

Truancy Bill Fiercely Opposed By Tennessee Homeschool Families Advancing In House (Update 3.23.26) - Tennessee Conservative

Mar 23, 2026

All homeschool news & alerts →

If you take an ESA: IEA 'independent home school' families REMAIN registered TN homeschoolers (still file the LEA Intent-to-Homeschool form). EFS + the ESA Pilot are private-school-enrollment programs — NOT usable for homeschooling.

Generate your Tennessee Notice of Intent →Tennessee funding & ESAs Find field trips in Tennessee