How to Homeschool in Arizona
Yes — homeschooling is completely legal in Arizona, and the state makes it refreshingly simple. Under A.R.S. § 15-802, Arizona families have one clear path for home-based education: file a one-time, notarized Affidavit of Intent with your county school superintendent, provide a copy of your child’s birth certificate, and teach five core subjects. There is no annual renewal, no mandatory testing, no instructor qualifications, and no required curriculum. Whether you’re starting mid-year or planning ahead for next fall, here’s every requirement clearly explained — and how to get started with complete confidence.
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Is Homeschooling Legal in Arizona?
Yes — homeschooling is completely legal in Arizona. The right to provide home-based education is established under A.R.S. § 15-802, and Arizona is classified as a low-regulated state. It consistently ranks among the most homeschool-friendly states in the country.
Under A.R.S. § 15-802, there is one primary legal path for homeschooling in Arizona:
- Home instruction under A.R.S. § 15-802 — the only homeschool option: File a one-time, notarized Affidavit of Intent with your county school superintendent. Provide a certified copy of your child’s birth certificate. Instruct your child in five required subjects: reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies, and science. No annual renewal, no mandatory testing, no teacher qualifications required. This is the path the rest of this guide covers in full.
A note on the Arizona ESA program: Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program provides state funds for families choosing education outside of public school. Important: ESA participants are legally classified as receiving “nonpublic instruction” under A.R.S. § 15-2402 — they are not classified as homeschoolers under A.R.S. § 15-802 and do not file an Affidavit of Intent. If you are in the ESA program, this guide’s legal steps do not apply to your situation. This guide covers home instruction under A.R.S. § 15-802 — the path followed by the majority of Arizona families who homeschool.
Arizona is one of the easiest states in the country to homeschool — and I mean that genuinely. There’s one path. File a one-time, notarized Affidavit of Intent with your county school superintendent, submit a copy of your child’s birth certificate, and commit to teaching five subjects: reading, grammar, math, social studies, and science. After that, the state largely steps aside and trusts you.
No annual renewal. No mandatory testing. No required curriculum. No instructor qualifications. If you’re in Arizona, you have one of the most parent-friendly homeschool laws in the nation. Follow the five steps below and you will be fully legally compliant. It really is this manageable.
Arizona Homeschool Requirements at a Glance
The information below applies to home instruction under A.R.S. § 15-802 — the primary legal path for Arizona homeschool families.
| Requirement | Arizona Details (A.R.S. § 15-802) |
|---|---|
| Compulsory School Age | Children who turn 6 before September 1 of the school year, through age 16 (or completion of 10th grade). Parents of children under age 8 may file a special affidavit to delay instruction until age 8. |
| Notification Required? | Yes — one-time, notarized Affidavit of Intent filed with the county school superintendent within 30 days of beginning home instruction. Not required annually. |
| Affidavit Must Include | Child’s name; child’s date of birth; address of the school the child currently attends (if any); names, telephone numbers, and addresses of persons with custody of the child |
| Birth Certificate Required | Yes — certified copy of child’s birth certificate (or other acceptable proof of age and identity) submitted within 30 days of beginning instruction (A.R.S. § 15-828) |
| Required Subjects | Reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies, and science (A.R.S. § 15-802(A)) |
| Instruction Hours Required | None specified by statute |
| Teacher Qualifications | None required |
| Assessment Required | None — A.R.S. § 15-745 explicitly prohibits requiring homeschooled students to participate in state testing |
| Record-Keeping | Not mandated by statute. Keeping records is strongly recommended for practical purposes (college, transitions, military enlistment, etc.) |
| Regulation Level | Low |
How to Start Homeschooling in Arizona: Step by Step
The following steps apply to home instruction under A.R.S. § 15-802, which is the primary legal path for Arizona homeschool families.
Choose Your Homeschool Option
In Arizona, there is one primary legal path for home-based education: home instruction under A.R.S. § 15-802. This route requires a one-time notarized affidavit with your county school superintendent, instruction in five core subjects, and nothing else. The state imposes no annual renewal, no mandatory testing, no teacher qualifications, and no required curriculum. If you’ve heard about Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program, note that ESA is a separate educational arrangement under A.R.S. § 15-2402 — participants are not legally classified as homeschoolers and do not file a homeschool affidavit. Most families who want the full freedom of parent-directed home education choose the A.R.S. § 15-802 path covered in this guide.
File Your Affidavit of Intent with the County School Superintendent
Under A.R.S. § 15-802, you must file a notarized Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool with the county school superintendent of the county where your child resides — not your local school district, not the state department of education. File within 30 days of beginning home instruction. Your affidavit must include: your child’s name; your child’s date of birth; the address of the school your child currently attends (if any); and your name, telephone number, and address as the person with custody.
You must also submit a certified copy of your child’s birth certificate (or other acceptable proof of age and identity) within 30 days of beginning instruction, per A.R.S. § 15-828. A photocopy of the original that has been notarized is sufficient. This is a one-time filing — you do not refile annually. If you move to a different county, file a new affidavit in the new county. If you ever stop homeschooling and enroll your child in a school, notify your county superintendent within 30 days. We recommend mailing all correspondence by Certified Mail — Return Receipt Requested and keeping copies permanently.
Formally Withdraw Your Child from Their Current School
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. Write a withdrawal letter addressed to the principal, state that your child is withdrawing to begin a home-based education program, and send it by Certified Mail — Return Receipt Requested. Keep copies of everything.
Note: If your child has never attended a public or private school, this step does not apply to you.
Teach Arizona’s Five Required Subjects
Under A.R.S. § 15-802, you must include the following subjects in your homeschool program: reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies, and science. Arizona does not require a minimum number of instruction days or hours, and there is no approved curriculum list or mandated provider. You are free to choose any educational approach, materials, or schedule that works for your family. Before spending anything on curriculum, download Christy-Faith’s free Curriculum Recommendations — a curated list of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market, organized by subject.
Keep Good Records — Not Legally Required, But Practically Important
Arizona statute does not require homeschool families to maintain records beyond the affidavit itself — there are no mandatory attendance logs, no portfolios, and no immunization records required for homeschoolers. However, keeping records is strongly recommended for practical reasons: if your child ever returns to public school they may need placement testing; college applications require transcripts; and military enlistment and some employers verify educational history. At a minimum, keep your date-stamped copy of the filed Affidavit of Intent permanently — it is your proof of legal compliance. Other suggested records: curriculum used each year, subjects covered, attendance or instruction frequency, and samples of student work.
How to Withdraw Your Child from Public School in Arizona
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 begin a home-based education program.
- Send by Certified Mail — Return Receipt Requested. This creates a documented paper trail of the date and delivery.
- Keep copies of everything — your letter, any postal receipts, and any responses from the school.
- Local schools may have specific forms or procedures. Contact your school to ask about their process.
- If your child has never attended a public or private school, this section does not apply to you.
For individualized advice on the withdrawal process — especially if your situation is complicated — listen to Episode 101 of The Christy-Faith Show, which covers the legal framework and how to start with confidence.
Arizona Homeschool Notification Requirements
Under A.R.S. § 15-802, Arizona requires a notarized Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool filed with the county school superintendent. Here is what the law requires:
- Who receives it: Your county school superintendent — the superintendent of the county where your child resides. Arizona has 15 counties. Do not file with your local school district or the state department of education.
- Timing: Within 30 days of beginning home instruction (or within 30 days of your child’s 6th birthday, if your child has never attended school)
- Annual renewal: Not required. The Affidavit of Intent is a one-time filing. You do not refile each school year.
- Form required: Yes — must be a notarized affidavit. A plain written letter is not sufficient. Notarization is required.
- What the affidavit must include: Your child’s name; your child’s date of birth; the address of the school your child currently attends (if any); and your name, telephone number, and address as the person with custody
- Birth certificate: Also required — submit a certified copy of your child’s birth certificate (or other acceptable proof of age and identity) within 30 days of beginning instruction (A.R.S. § 15-828). A notarized photocopy of the original is sufficient.
- How to send it: We recommend Certified Mail — Return Receipt Requested. Keep your copy and the date-stamped confirmation returned by the county superintendent’s office permanently.
- Moving counties: If your family moves to a different Arizona county, file a new Affidavit of Intent in the new county and notify the previous county that homeschooling in that county has ended.
- If you stop homeschooling: Notify your county superintendent in writing within 30 days of enrolling your child in a school. If you later resume homeschooling, you will need to file a new affidavit.
ESA families: do not file an Affidavit of Intent. If your child participates in Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account program, you are governed by A.R.S. § 15-2402, not § 15-802. Filing both creates legal confusion. The affidavit is for traditional homeschool families only.
The Affidavit of Intent is a notification — not a request for permission. Once filed and date-stamped, it establishes your legal compliance with Arizona’s compulsory attendance law.
Homeschool Assessment Requirements in Arizona
Good news: Arizona does not require homeschooled students to take any standardized tests or submit to any evaluation. A.R.S. § 15-745 explicitly states that nothing in the law shall be construed to require the testing of children who are instructed in a homeschool program while they are receiving homeschool instruction. No assessment is required — not in any grade year, not by any evaluator, and with no scores to submit anywhere.
This means:
- No state standardized tests required — homeschoolers are explicitly exempt from state testing under A.R.S. § 15-745
- No annual evaluation required — no portfolio review, no evaluator assessment, no progress report to submit
- No minimum score thresholds — there are no academic performance consequences tied to homeschooling in Arizona
- No submission required — test results do not need to be sent to the district, the state, or anyone else
While no assessment is legally required, many Arizona families choose to test voluntarily — to track their child’s academic progress, identify any gaps, or prepare for college admissions. Popular voluntary options include standardized achievement tests such as the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS), the Stanford Achievement Test (SAT 10), or the CAT/5. These are entirely optional and at the family’s discretion.
Frequently Asked Questions About Homeschooling in Arizona
Yes — completely legal. Homeschooling in Arizona is established under A.R.S. § 15-802, and Arizona is classified as a low-regulated state. It consistently ranks among the most homeschool-friendly states in the country, with minimal requirements and maximum flexibility for families.
Yes — you must file a one-time, notarized Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool with your county school superintendent within 30 days of beginning home instruction (or within 30 days of your child’s 6th birthday if they have never attended school). The good news: this is a one-time filing. You do not refile annually. You must also submit a certified copy of your child’s birth certificate or other acceptable proof of age and identity. The affidavit is a notification — not an application for permission.
None. Arizona law does not require any teaching certificate, college degree, or professional training to homeschool your child. Any parent or person with custody of the child may provide home instruction under A.R.S. § 15-802. This is one of the most parent-welcoming aspects of Arizona’s homeschool law.
Under A.R.S. § 15-802, you must instruct your child in at least five subjects: reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies, and science. There are no mandated hours, no approved curriculum list, and no required course sequence. You choose how, when, and with what materials to teach these subjects — the law simply requires that you cover them.
Yes. There is no requirement to begin at the start of the school year. File your notarized Affidavit of Intent with the county school superintendent within 30 days of beginning, formally withdraw your child from their current school, and you can start any time. Arizona imposes no minimum instruction days or hours, so there is no calendar-year requirement to navigate.
No. Arizona does not require homeschooled students to take any standardized tests or submit to any evaluation. A.R.S. § 15-745 specifically prohibits requiring homeschool students to participate in state testing. Testing is entirely optional — many families choose to test voluntarily for college preparation or to gauge their child’s progress, but no assessment is required by law and no results need to be submitted to anyone.
Arizona’s compulsory attendance law applies to children who turn 6 before September 1 of the school year, through age 16 (or completion of the 10th grade). If your child hasn’t turned 8 by September 1, you have the option to file an affidavit stating you prefer to delay formal instruction until your child turns 8. Once your child reaches 16 or completes the 10th grade, compulsory attendance no longer applies — though continuing to comply with homeschool requirements through high school graduation is recommended for practical record-keeping purposes.
No — and this surprises many new homeschool families. Arizona’s Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool is a one-time filing. You file it once when you begin homeschooling, and you do not refile each school year. The only situations that require a new affidavit are: if you move to a different Arizona county (file in the new county), or if you stop homeschooling and later restart. If you stop homeschooling, notify your county superintendent in writing within 30 days of enrolling your child in a school.
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.
Arizona’s requirements are genuinely one of the most manageable in the entire country. File a one-time, notarized affidavit with your county superintendent, provide a copy of your child’s birth certificate, and cover five subjects: reading, grammar, math, social studies, and science. No annual renewal. No mandatory testing. No required curriculum. That framework leaves enormous room for you to create something extraordinary for your family — and you will.
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 Arizona 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
Arizona’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 Arizona homeschool community — the socialization question answered for good.
Listen now →Arizona 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 Arizona homeschool resources and organizations
Homeschooling in a Neighboring State?
Every state has its own requirements. Find the complete guide for yours:
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.
