How to Homeschool in California
Yes — homeschooling is completely legal in California. California offers three legal paths for homeschooling families, and the one you choose determines your specific requirements. Most families homeschool under the state’s home-based private school option — filing an annual Private School Affidavit with the California Department of Education, providing instruction in required subjects, and maintaining basic school records. No teaching credential required. No standardized testing. Whether you’re pulling your child out mid-year or planning ahead for next fall, here’s a clear breakdown of every requirement and how to get started with confidence.
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Is Homeschooling Legal in California?
Yes — homeschooling is completely legal in California. The right to provide home-based education is recognized under California Education Code §§ 48222 and 33190, which allows families to operate their homes as private schools. California is classified as a low-regulation state.
California law provides three legal options for homeschooling families:
- Option 1 — Home-based private school (Private School Affidavit): The most common path. File an annual Private School Affidavit (PSA) with the California Department of Education. Requires instruction in required subjects, instruction in English, capable instructors, and maintaining school records. No teaching credential required. No standardized testing. This is what the rest of this guide covers in detail.
- Option 2 — Private School Satellite Program (PSP / Umbrella School): Enroll your child with an established California private school that provides oversight, curriculum guidance, and community for home-based learners. The PSP files the required paperwork and operates as the umbrella school. Requirements vary by program. An excellent option for families who want more structure and support as they get started.
- Option 3 — Credentialed private tutor: If the instructor holds a valid California teaching credential for the grade level being taught, the child is considered exempt from public school attendance under California Education Code § 48224. The child must be taught at least three hours a day, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., for 175 days each school year. No PSA or other state reporting is required under this option.
The steps, requirements, and FAQs below apply specifically to Option 1 — the home-based private school (PSA), which is the path the majority of California homeschool families follow.
For most California families, Option 1 — the home-based private school (PSA) — is the clearest and most accessible path. No teaching credential, no standardized testing, and no school district involvement. You file a simple annual affidavit with the California Department of Education, provide instruction in the required core subjects, and maintain basic school records.
One excellent alternative worth knowing: Option 2 — a Private School Satellite Program (PSP) — is a wonderful on-ramp if you want more structure and community as you start out. A good PSP handles the legal filings for you and provides curriculum support and connection with other homeschool families. For families who feel nervous about going it alone, this is worth exploring. For everyone else, the PSA is where to start.
California Homeschool Requirements at a Glance
The information below applies to Option 1 — the home-based private school (PSA). Options 2 and 3 have different requirements.
| Requirement | California Details (Home-Based Private School / PSA) |
|---|---|
| Compulsory School Age | Each child must comply with homeschool law starting with the school year in which he or she turns 6 by September 1, and ending on the child’s 18th birthday (California Education Code § 48200) |
| Notification Required? | Yes — file a Private School Affidavit (PSA) annually with the California Department of Education. Statutory filing period: October 1–15. Schools starting after October 15 should file as soon as possible. Governed by California Education Code § 33190. |
| PSA Must Include | School name and address, owner/operator names and addresses, number of students enrolled, grade levels offered, courses of study offered, instructor names and addresses, and verification of required instruction |
| Required Subjects | Instruction in courses commonly taught in public schools, including language arts, math, science, social studies, health, and driver training. Instruction must be in English. (California Education Code §§ 48222, 51210, 51220) |
| Instruction Hours Required | Not specified by statute for home-based private school option. Instruction must cover required subjects. (Option 3 — credentialed tutor — requires 175 days/year; this does not apply to PSA families.) |
| Teacher Qualifications | No credential required under PSA. Instructors must be capable of teaching. (Option 3 requires a valid California teaching credential.) |
| Assessment Required | None — California does not require standardized testing or evaluations for PSA homeschoolers |
| Record-Keeping Required | Attendance register; list of courses of study offered; list of instructors with names, addresses, and qualifications; immunization or exemption records (California Education Code § 33190) |
| Immunization Mandate | Home-based private school students are exempt from California’s vaccination mandate under SB 277 (2015). Families must maintain immunization or exemption records, but are not required to vaccinate. |
| Regulation Level | Low |
How to Start Homeschooling in California: Step by Step
The following steps apply to Option 1 — the home-based private school (Private School Affidavit), which is the most common path for California families.
Choose Your Homeschool Option
California has three legal paths for home-based education. The home-based private school (PSA) is the most widely used — no credential, no testing, and you are fully in charge of your curriculum and schedule. A Private School Satellite Program / PSP (Option 2) provides structure, curriculum support, and community under an umbrella school — especially helpful for families just getting started. The credentialed tutor path (Option 3) applies only if the instructor holds a valid California teaching credential for the grade level taught. Choose your path before proceeding. This guide covers Option 1 step by step.
File Your Private School Affidavit with the California Department of Education
Under the home-based private school option, file your Private School Affidavit online with the California Department of Education at www3.cde.ca.gov/psa. The statutory filing period is October 1–15 each year. If you are opening your home school after October 15, file as soon as possible — the CDE’s filing system remains open throughout the school year. Schools established in July must wait until August 1 to file.
The PSA requires your school’s name and address, your name and address as owner/operator, grade levels offered, number of students enrolled, courses of study offered, and instructor information. There is no fee to file. Keep a copy of your submitted affidavit and any confirmation received. The PSA is a notification — not a request for permission. The CDE does not approve or deny your choice to homeschool.
Formally Withdraw Your Child from Their Current School
If your child is currently enrolled in a public or private school, formally withdraw them before your first day of home instruction. Write a withdrawal letter addressed to the principal stating your child is withdrawing to enroll in a home-based private school. We recommend sending the letter by Certified Mail — Return Receipt Requested to create a documented record. Keep copies of your letter, postal receipts, and any school responses. Local schools may have their own forms or procedures — contact the school to ask.
If your child has never been enrolled in a public or private school, this step does not apply to you.
Provide Instruction in California’s Required Subjects
Under the home-based private school option, you must provide instruction in the courses commonly taught in California public schools — including language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, health, and driver training — and instruction must be in English (California Education Code § 48222). You choose your own curriculum; no specific provider is mandated. Instructors must be capable of teaching — no teaching credential is required. Before spending anything on curriculum, download Christy-Faith’s free Curriculum Recommendations — a curated list of the most reputable homeschool programs organized by subject.
Maintain Required School Records
Under California Education Code § 33190, home-based private schools are required to maintain the following records: an attendance register (recording every absence of half a day or more); a list of courses of study offered; and a list of instructors with their names, addresses, and educational qualifications. You must also maintain immunization or exemption records for each student. We also recommend keeping copies of filed PSAs, student work samples, portfolios, and any correspondence with school officials — particularly during the high school years, where records may be needed for college applications, military enlistment, or other purposes.
On immunization: Home-based private school students in California are exempt from the state’s vaccination mandate under SB 277 (2015), which specifically carved out home-based private schools. You are not required to vaccinate your children to homeschool in California. You are, however, required to maintain immunization records or an exemption document in your school files.
Parents are not required to report to their school district (confirmed by California Department of Education). Public school districts are required to verify a child’s exemption from compulsory education, but families do not report to them.
How to Withdraw Your Child from Public School in California
If your child is currently enrolled in a public or private school, formally withdraw before you begin homeschooling. If you are starting mid-year, do this before your child’s first day of home instruction. If you are starting after the school year ends, withdraw before the next school year begins so the school does not mark your child as absent or truant.
Here is the recommended approach:
- Write a withdrawal letter addressed to the principal of the school your child currently attends. State that your child is withdrawing to enroll in a home-based private school program.
- Send by Certified Mail — Return Receipt Requested. This creates a documented paper trail of the date and delivery confirmation.
- Keep copies of everything — your letter, any postal receipts, and any responses from the school.
- Local schools may have specific forms or procedures. Contact the school’s main office to ask about their withdrawal process before sending your letter.
- If your child has never attended a public or private school, this section does not apply to you.
For guidance on the withdrawal process — especially if your situation is complicated — listen to Episode 101 of The Christy-Faith Show, which walks through the legal framework and how to start with confidence.
California Homeschool Notification Requirements
Under the home-based private school option, California requires you to file an annual Private School Affidavit with the California Department of Education — not your local school district. Here is what the law requires:
- Who receives the filing: California Department of Education — filed online at www3.cde.ca.gov/psa
- Statutory filing period: October 1–15 each year
- Starting after October 15: File as soon as possible — the CDE filing system remains open throughout the school year (August 1 – June 30). Schools established in July must wait until August 1 to file.
- Annual renewal: The PSA must be re-filed each year during the October 1–15 window
- What to include: School name and address, owner/operator name and address, grade levels offered, number of students enrolled, courses of study offered, and instructor names, addresses, and qualifications
- Fee: None — the PSA is free to file
- No report to school district required: Parents are not required to notify or report to their local school district (confirmed by California Department of Education)
The PSA is a notification to the state — not a request for permission. The California Department of Education does not approve or deny your choice to homeschool. Filing the PSA does not mean the state has licensed or endorsed your school.
Homeschool Assessment Requirements in California
Under the home-based private school option, California does not require standardized testing or annual evaluations for homeschoolers. You are not required to submit test results to any school district, the California Department of Education, or any other government body. California law imposes no testing or evaluation requirements on home-based private school families.
- Standardized testing: Not required under the home-based private school option
- Annual evaluations: Not required
- Submission of results: Not required — no results need to be submitted to any agency
- Optional testing: You may choose to use assessments such as the Iowa Assessments or Stanford Achievement Test for your own planning — but there is no legal mandate to do so
Note: if you are enrolled under Option 2 (a Private School Satellite Program), your PSP may have its own internal assessment expectations — check with your specific program for details.
Frequently Asked Questions About Homeschooling in California
Yes — completely legal. Homeschooling in California is recognized under California Education Code §§ 48222 and 33190, which allows families to operate their homes as private schools. California offers three legal paths for homeschooling, the most common being the home-based private school option using a Private School Affidavit. California is classified as a low-regulation state, with no standardized testing requirement and no teaching credential required under the most common path.
No — you do not report to your school district. Under the home-based private school option, you file a Private School Affidavit directly with the California Department of Education each year during the October 1–15 filing window. Parents are not required to notify or report to their local school district. The California Department of Education itself confirms: “Parents are not required to report to their school district.”
Under the home-based private school option, no teaching credential or college degree is required. California law requires that instructors be capable of teaching — but there is no formal credential or degree requirement. You serve as the owner and operator of your home-based private school. Under Option 3 (credentialed private tutor), the instructor must hold a valid California teaching credential for the grade level taught — but the vast majority of California homeschool families use the PSA, which has no credential requirement.
Under the home-based private school option, California requires instruction in the courses commonly taught in public schools — including language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, health, and driver training — and instruction must be in English (California Education Code § 48222). For specific subject requirements by grade level, California Education Code § 51210 governs grades 1–6 and § 51220 governs grades 7–12. You choose your own curriculum; no specific provider is mandated by the state.
Yes. You can start homeschooling in California at any time during the school year. If you are starting after the October 1–15 PSA filing window, file your Private School Affidavit as soon as possible — the CDE’s filing system stays open throughout the school year. Formally withdraw your child from their current school before their first day of home instruction. There is no requirement to wait for the start of a new school year.
No. California does not require homeschoolers under the home-based private school option to take standardized tests or submit evaluation results to any government agency. California law does not require it. You may choose to use assessments for your own planning and tracking, but there is no legal mandate.
In California, each child must comply with school or homeschool law starting with the school year in which he or she turns 6 by September 1, and ending on the child’s 18th birthday If your child turns 6 after September 1, compulsory requirements begin the following school year. Compulsory education ends on the child’s 18th birthday, though we recommend continuing to maintain homeschool records even after that age if the student is still completing secondary education.
No — not if you are homeschooling under the home-based private school option. California’s SB 277 (2015), which eliminated personal belief vaccine exemptions for school attendance, specifically exempted pupils enrolled in home-based private schools from the vaccination mandate. Home-based private school families are required to maintain immunization records or an exemption document in their school files — but they are not required to vaccinate their children. California law does not require vaccination for home-based private school families.
You Can Do This
I know what it feels like to be exactly where you are right now — staring at requirements, wondering if you’re actually qualified for this, and somewhere in the back of your mind asking: but what if I mess this up?
Here’s what 20+ years in education and homeschooling my own four kids has taught me: the parents who do this well are not the ones with teaching degrees. They’re the ones who care deeply, who stay curious, and who show up for their kids every single day. That’s why you’re here. That’s the qualification that matters.
California’s home-based private school route is genuinely one of the most parent-friendly homeschool frameworks in the country. You file a simple annual affidavit with the state, provide instruction in core subjects, and keep basic school records. No standardized testing, no credential required, no district approval. That framework gives you the legal standing you need and then completely gets out of your way — leaving enormous room for you to build something extraordinary for your family.
If you want to go deeper — not just the legal requirements, but the full picture of how to build a homeschool that actually works — my book Homeschool Rising, published by Wiley, was written for exactly this season. And when you’re ready for an ongoing community of families who get it, Thrive Homeschool Community is where we do life together every day.
Start with the Roadmap below. You’ve already taken the hardest step.
Start Your California Homeschool Journey — Free
The exact 8 steps to start your homeschool — in order, without the chaos. A 26-page roadmap and a free 3-part training video series, delivered instantly.
Start Here: Free Homeschool Roadmap →Free · Instant access · No spam
Want to Go Deeper? Start With These Episodes.
Three episodes of The Christy-Faith Show built specifically for families just starting out. Listen in order — each one picks up exactly where the last left off.
How to Start Homeschooling (Part 1/3) — The Legal Stuff & Choosing the Right Approach
California’s legal framework explained clearly, your homeschool approach options, and exactly how to choose the right path for your family.
Listen now →Finding Homeschool Curriculum & Resources // How to Start Homeschooling (Part 2/3)
How to find curriculum without getting overwhelmed — and the mistake almost every new homeschool family makes when buying their first materials.
Listen now →Creating Your Schedule & Finding Socialization // How to Start Homeschooling (Part 3/3)
Build a schedule that works for real family life, and find your California homeschool community — the socialization question answered for good.
Listen now →California Homeschool Resources
- Free Curriculum Recommendations — Christy-Faith’s curated list of the most reputable homeschool programs, by subject
- The New Homeschooler Roadmap — Free 26-page guide + 3-part training video series
- How to Homeschool by State — Guides for all 50 states
- Thrive Homeschool Community — Ongoing support, encouragement, and community
- Homeschool Rising by Christy-Faith — Discover why there is no better place to educate a child than in a loving home with a motivated parent.
- Christy-Faith’s List — Curated California homeschool resources and organizations
Disclaimer: The information on this page is intended for general guidance only — not legal advice. It reflects our best understanding of the state Department of Education. Homeschool laws can change. Always verify current requirements with an up-to-date legal source. Last update: April 2026.
