Ohio Homeschool Laws
Ohio gives you two options. First, you may homeschool under the home education statute. Second, you may open a nonchartered, nonpublic school for truly held religious reasons. School is required from age 6 until age 18. Under home education, you send a notice to your district superintendent each year by August 30. Also send it within five calendar days of three events. These are starting home education, moving to a new district, or withdrawing your child from a school. The superintendent must acknowledge your notice in writing within 14 days.
Day to day, home education in Ohio is light on rules. You must teach English language arts, mathematics, science, history, government, and social studies. According to HSLDA, there are no teacher qualification, hour, or assessment requirements under this option. In addition, your district must let your child join its extracurricular activities. The child joins at the school he or she would otherwise attend. Students in grades 7 to 12 may also join the College Credit Plus program. However, the nonchartered, nonpublic school option brings more rules, including teacher degrees, annual hours, and a yearly report. For full details on each topic, open the sections below.
A child between six and eighteen years of age is of compulsory school age (R.C. 3321.01; HSLDA: Compulsory School Age in Ohio). A child receiving home education in the subject areas of English language arts, mathematics, science, history, government, and social studies is exempt from R.C. 3321.04 (R.C. 3321.042).
Ohio has two options: (1) home education under R.C. 3321.042, and (2) a nonchartered, nonpublic (NCNP) school, formerly known as an “-08 school” (HSLDA: How to Comply with Ohio’s Homeschool Law, March 27, 2025).
None under the home education option. HSLDA states that there are no teacher qualification, number of hours, or assessment requirements under this option (HSLDA). R.C. 3321.042 contains no testing requirement and provides that it is not subject to rules adopted by the director of education and workforce or the department of education and workforce (R.C. 3321.042(E)).
If there is evidence that an exempt child is not receiving an education in the required subject areas, the child may be subject to R.C. 3321.19 (R.C. 3321.042(F)).
Home education: English language arts, mathematics, science, history, government, and social studies (R.C. 3321.042(B)).
Nonchartered, nonpublic school: a course of study in language arts; geography; history of the United States and Ohio; national, state, and local government; mathematics; science; health; physical education; the fine arts, including music; first aid, safety, and fire prevention; and other subjects the school prescribes (HSLDA).
Home education: within five calendar days after commencing home education, moving into a new school district, or withdrawing from a public or nonpublic school, and by August 30 each year after that, send a notice to the superintendent of your district of residence. It gives the parent’s name and address, the child’s name, and an assurance that the child will receive education in the required subject areas. The exemption is effective immediately upon receipt of the notice. The superintendent must give you written acknowledgment within 14 calendar days (R.C. 3321.042(C)). HSLDA recommends mail with certification and return receipt, and keeping copies (HSLDA).
Nonchartered, nonpublic school: HSLDA lists a “report to parents” certifying that the school meets minimum standards. File a copy with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce on or before September 30 each year, and report school attendance to your local school board treasurer within the first two weeks of the school year (HSLDA).
None for home education. The NCNP option is for parents who organize a school because of truly held religious beliefs (HSLDA).
None under home education (HSLDA; HSLDA: Ohio Homeschool Laws). For a nonchartered, nonpublic school, HSLDA says teachers and administrators should hold at least a bachelor’s degree, or the equivalent, from a recognized college or university (HSLDA).
Yes. A student receiving home education under R.C. 3321.042 must be afforded the opportunity to participate in any extracurricular activity offered at the district school he or she would otherwise be assigned to. The student must be of the appropriate age and grade level and meet the same nonacademic and financial requirements as other participants, and the district may not impose extra rules or higher fees (R.C. 3313.5312; HSLDA: Public School Access for Homeschoolers in Ohio). Students in grades 7–12 may take part in the College Credit Plus program if they meet its criteria, and payment depends on available funding and separate application (R.C. Chapter 3365; HSLDA).
HSLDA’s Ohio summary lists no immunization requirement for homeschoolers (HSLDA).
A child who is enrolled in a public school after a period of home education must be placed in the appropriate grade level, without discrimination or prejudice, based on the policies of the district of residence (R.C. 3321.042(D)). HSLDA notes that families who use the NCNP option are not required to submit a medical report (HSLDA).
- Ohio Revised Code: 3321.042 (home education), 3321.01 (compulsory school age), 3313.5312 (extracurricular activities), and Chapter 3365 (College Credit Plus)
- HSLDA: Ohio Homeschool Laws, How to Comply with Ohio’s Homeschool Law (March 27, 2025), Compulsory School Age in Ohio, and Public School Access for Homeschoolers in Ohio
Last reviewed: November 11, 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
No changes in law noted since this page was first published.