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Homeschool laws · State guide

Homeschooling in California

California has no separate homeschool statute; most home educators operate a home-based private school that files an annual Private School Affidavit and keeps attendance and course records.

Last checkedAgainst Statute + state sources

California at a glanceLevel: Low

Notice to the state
Yes
A parent running a private home school files a Private School Affidavit with the California Department of Education each year; the statutory filing period is October 1–15 (EC §33190).
Testing
No
No testing requirement in EC §§48222 or 48224 or on CDE's Schooling at Home page.
Record-keeping
Required
Attendance register showing every absence of a half day or more (EC §48222); per CDE (citing EC §33190), courses of study offered and names, addresses and educational qualifications of faculty.
Immunization
Records only
Home-based private schools are exempt from vaccinations but must document immunization status (CDE MB 16-05; CDPH reporting guide). Independent study without classroom instruction is also exempt.
Required subjects
Yes, 1
The branches of study required in California public schools (see EC §51210 for grades 1–6 and §51220 for grades 7–12), taught in English
Instruction time
Private school: 'full-time day school' (no hour count in EC §48222). Credentialed tutor option: at least 3 hours a day for 175 days a year, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
EC §48224
Parent qualifications
Private home school: instruction 'by persons capable of teaching' (EC §48222). Tutor option: valid state credential for the grade taught
EC §48224
Compulsory school age
6–18
EC §48200

Ways to homeschool here: Home-based private school (Private School Affidavit) · Existing private school offering independent study · Public charter school · Public school independent study program · Credentialed private tutor

Choice Homeschool works hard to keep every state guide accurate and up to date, but laws change. If something here has changed or is missing, please let us know, ideally with a link to the official source, and we’ll recheck it.

Overview

California’s Department of Education lists several ways to educate at home: a public charter school, a public independent study program, an existing private school with independent study, establishing a home-based private school, or a credentialed tutor. A parent who operates a private home school must file the annual Private School Affidavit; CDE notes that filing is not an approval or endorsement.

  • Home-based private school (Private School Affidavit)
  • Existing private school offering independent study
  • Public charter school
  • Public school independent study program
  • Credentialed private tutor

Requirements at a glance

  • Notice: A parent operating a private home school files a Private School Affidavit (PSA) with the California Department of Education each year (EC §33190). Statutory filing period is October 1–15; CDE’s online system is open August 1–June 30 for new schools and home schools. Parents are not required to report to the school district, but the district verifies the affidavit was filed (EC §48222; CDE).
  • Testing or assessment: No testing requirement in EC §§48222 or 48224 or on CDE’s Schooling at Home page.
  • Records: Attendance register showing every absence of a half day or more (EC §48222); per CDE (citing EC §33190), courses of study offered and names, addresses and educational qualifications of faculty.
  • Subjects: The branches of study required in California public schools (see EC §51210 for grades 1–6 and §51220 for grades 7–12), taught in English
  • Instruction time: Private school: ‘full-time day school’ (no hour count in EC §48222). Credentialed tutor option: at least 3 hours a day for 175 days a year, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. (EC §48224).
  • Parent/teacher qualifications: Private home school: instruction ‘by persons capable of teaching’ (EC §48222). Tutor option: valid state credential for the grade taught (EC §48224).
  • Compulsory attendance ages: 6–18 (EC §48200)

Exemption from public school attendance under EC §48222 is valid only after the district’s attendance supervisor verifies the affidavit was filed.

Sources

This page summarizes the statutes and official pages listed in the sources block, as read on the last-checked date. It is general information, not legal advice; confirm current requirements with your state or local education agency.

Statute text was read on Justia because the official California Legislative Information site blocked automated fetching.