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California Homeschool Laws

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Last Updated On
byM Lycurgus

California does not have a separate homeschool law. Instead, families homeschool under three legal options. First, you can run your homeschool as a home-based private school. Second, you can enroll in a private school satellite program (PSP), which oversees home learning. Third, your child can learn from a private tutor who holds a California teaching credential. School is required from age 6 to 18. For the first two options, a private school affidavit is filed each year from October 1 to 15.

Day to day, a home-based private school keeps an attendance register and teaches in English. It teaches the courses commonly taught in public schools. It also keeps lists of courses and instructors, plus immunization records. However, home-based private schools do not have to immunize their students. There is no required testing. Also, state rules bar homeschoolers from public school sports teams. In addition, a new law on child safety took effect on July 1, 2026. It can apply to PSPs, but not to parents who run their own home-based private school. For full details on each topic, open the sections below.

Ages 6 to 18. Each child must attend school or follow a homeschool option starting with the school year in which the child turns 6 by September 1, and ending on the child’s 18th birthday (HSLDA: Compulsory School Age in California).

None for any of the three options (HSLDA: California Homeschool Law).

Home-based private school and PSP: Instruction in the courses commonly taught in public schools (for example, language arts, math, science, social studies, health, and driver training), in English (HSLDA: How to Comply with California’s Homeschool Law).

Private tutor: The branches of study required in public schools, in English.

Home-based private school: File a private school affidavit with the California Superintendent of Public Instruction between October 1 and 15 each year, on the California Department of Education website. A new school starting before October 1 may file right after withdrawing its student, but must file by October 15. A new school starting after October 15 should file as soon as possible (HSLDA).

PSP: The PSP files the affidavit, not the parent. You enroll your child in the PSP.

Private tutor: No affidavit or other report to the state is required (HSLDA).

Home-based private school and PSP: Yes. Keep an attendance register.

Private tutor: Instruction must be at least 3 hours a day, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., for 175 days each school year (HSLDA).

None for a home-based private school. Families who choose the PSP option enroll in a private school satellite program (HSLDA).

Home-based private school and PSP: Instructors must be “capable of teaching.” Keep a list of instructors with their addresses and qualifications.

Private tutor: The tutor must hold a California teaching credential for the grade level taught. A parent may be the tutor if the parent holds that credential (HSLDA).

No. California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Rule 305 bars homeschool students from CIF competition on public school teams. Home study students may become eligible at their school of residence in Los Angeles Unified by enrolling in the district’s Independent Study program (HSLDA: Public School Access for Homeschoolers in California).

Classes: No state law gives homeschoolers access to public school classes. Each school or district decides, and policies vary (HSLDA).

Home-based private schools and home-based PSPs must keep immunization records, but students do not need to be immunized to enroll. See the California Department of Public Health for details (HSLDA).

Safe Learning Environments Act: SB 848, by Senator Sasha Renée Pérez, was signed on October 7, 2025 (Senator Pérez). Its private school provisions took effect July 1, 2026. They do not apply to parents teaching their own children in a home-based private school. They can apply to PSPs. Employees, volunteers, and board members of a private school are now mandatory reporters. PSPs must adopt written policies on professional boundaries and social media contact, and provide yearly child abuse prevention training (HSLDA: New Law Affecting Schools). Each PSP must decide whether it must comply (HSLDA).

Records: Records can help with a driver’s license, military enlistment, college applications, or Social Security benefits (HSLDA).

Last reviewed: October 31, 2026

*The information on this page is for general use only. It should not be taken as legal advice. It is believed to be accurate however state and federal laws change every year. Homeschool.net recommends joining an organization such as the Home School Legal Defense Association before your homeschooling adventure begins. HSLDA can provide complete, accurate, legal advice and services for homeschooling families.

Update History

  • October 31, 2026
    • New law: Added the Safe Learning Environments Act (SB 848), effective July 1, 2026 for private schools, and how it can affect PSPs but not home-based private schools (HSLDA; Senator Pérez).
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