Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in California?

Yes (for home-based private school (private school affidavit), the option most families use). You send notice to the California Department of Education (online Private School Affidavit), october 1-15 each school year; a new homeschool that starts at another time files when it opens (the online system is open August 1 through June 30). How often: annually. Online Private School Affidavit filing system.

What subjects do I have to teach in California?

California requires: The branches of study required in public schools (Education Code §§ 51210 and 51220 list English, mathematics, social sciences, science, visual and performing arts, health, and physical education, among others; driver education is added in high school).

How many days or hours of homeschool does California require?

Not specified for private schools (keep an attendance register).

Do parents need a teaching certificate to homeschool in California?

Instructors must be "capable of teaching"; no credential required.

What records should I keep when homeschooling in California?

Attendance register; Courses of study offered; Names and addresses of the teachers (usually the parents) and a record of their educational qualifications.

How to homeschool in California

Low regulationChecked against official sources October 9, 2026

Most California homeschoolers either open their own home-based private school by filing a Private School Affidavit with the California Department of Education (each year, October 1-15), or enroll in a private school satellite program (PSP) that files for them. Either way you teach in English, cover the subjects public schools teach, and keep attendance, course, and teacher records at home; there is no state testing. Other routes are a credentialed private tutor or a public charter/independent study program.

Homeschooling in California at a glance: notice of intent required (send to the California Department of Education (online Private School Affidavit)); instruction time: not specified for private schools (keep an attendance register); 1 required subject areas; testing: none required.

Option 1: Home-based private school (Private School Affidavit)

The option most families use.

Home-based private school (Private School Affidavit) · Cal. Educ. Code §§ 48222, 33190

The parent establishes a private school in the home and files the Private School Affidavit (PSA) online with the California Department of Education. Filing is not state approval; it simply registers the school.

Notice: Send to: the California Department of Education (online Private School Affidavit).
When: October 1-15 each school year; a new homeschool that starts at another time files when it opens (the online system is open August 1 through June 30).
How often: annually.
How: online Private School Affidavit filing system.
Instruction time: Not specified for private schools (keep an attendance register).
Required subjects: The branches of study required in public schools (Education Code §§ 51210 and 51220 list English, mathematics, social sciences, science, visual and performing arts, health, and physical education, among others; driver education is added in high school).
Records to keep: Attendance register.
Courses of study offered.
Names and addresses of the teachers (usually the parents) and a record of their educational qualifications.
Testing / evaluation: None required.
Parent qualifications: Instructors must be "capable of teaching"; no credential required.
Also: Instruction must be in English.

Official form: California Department of Education: Private School Affidavit

What the notice must include

School name, address, and contact information.
Name and address of the school's director/administrator (usually you).
Number of students enrolled, by grade.
Number of teachers.
Statement that the school keeps attendance records, its courses of study, and the names, addresses, and educational qualifications of its teachers.

Checklist

File the Private School Affidavit with the California Department of Education: October 1-15 each year (or when you first open, if starting at another time).
Withdraw your child from their current school in writing (if enrolled): after your affidavit is filed.
Keep an attendance register: ongoing.
Keep your list of courses of study and teacher names/addresses/qualifications: update each school year.

Option 2: Private school satellite program (PSP)

Private school satellite program (PSP) · Cal. Educ. Code §§ 48222, 33190

Your child enrolls in an existing private school whose students are taught mainly at home. The PSP files the affidavit and keeps the official records; you teach and report to the PSP.

Notice: Send to: the PSP you enroll in (the PSP files the Private School Affidavit with the Department of Education).
When: when you enroll; the PSP files October 1-15 each year.
How often: annually (by the PSP).
How: the PSP's enrollment process.
Instruction time: Set by the PSP.
Required subjects: The branches of study required in public schools.
Records to keep: Whatever attendance and coursework records your PSP requires (the PSP keeps the official attendance register, course list, teacher list, and immunization records).
Testing / evaluation: None required by the state; your PSP may set its own.
Parent qualifications: Instructors must be "capable of teaching".
Also: Instruction must be in English.

Checklist

Enroll in a PSP: before you start homeschooling.
Withdraw your child from their current school in writing (if enrolled): after PSP enrollment.
Send attendance and records to your PSP: as your PSP requires.

Option 3: Credentialed private tutor

Credentialed private tutor · Cal. Educ. Code § 48224

Your child is taught by a tutor holding a valid California teaching credential for the grade level taught. A parent who holds that credential may be the tutor.

Notice: Not required.
Instruction time: At least 3 hours a day, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., for 175 days each school year.
Required subjects: The branches of study required in public schools.
Testing / evaluation: None required.
Parent qualifications: Valid California teaching credential for the grade level taught.
Also: Instruction must be in English.

Checklist

Confirm the tutor holds a valid California credential for your child's grade: before tutoring begins.
Teach at least 3 hours/day between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m: 175 days each school year.

Option 4: Public charter or independent study program

Public charter or independent study program

Many families learn at home through a public charter school or a school district's independent study program. These are public school programs with their own enrollment, curriculum, and testing rules; the family is not homeschooling under private school law.

Notice: Send to: the charter school or district program.
When: at enrollment.
How: the program's enrollment process.

Checklist

Enroll in the charter or independent study program and follow its rules: before the school year or as the program allows.

Leaving a public school

California law does not set a special withdrawal procedure. File your Private School Affidavit (or enroll in a PSP) first, then notify the current school in writing that your child is enrolled in a private school and ask for records to be sent there.

Common questions about homeschooling in California

Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in California?: Yes (for home-based private school (private school affidavit), the option most families use). You send notice to the California Department of Education (online Private School Affidavit), october 1-15 each school year; a new homeschool that starts at another time files when it opens (the online system is open August 1 through June 30). How often: annually. Online Private School Affidavit filing system.
What subjects do I have to teach in California?: California requires: The branches of study required in public schools (Education Code §§ 51210 and 51220 list English, mathematics, social sciences, science, visual and performing arts, health, and physical education, among others; driver education is added in high school).
How many days or hours of homeschool does California require?: Not specified for private schools (keep an attendance register).
Are standardized tests or evaluations required in California?: None required.
Do parents need a teaching certificate to homeschool in California?: Instructors must be "capable of teaching"; no credential required.
What records should I keep when homeschooling in California?: Attendance register; Courses of study offered; Names and addresses of the teachers (usually the parents) and a record of their educational qualifications.

Worth double-checking

Compulsory school age is 6 to 18.
The affidavit's exact fields are set by the Department's online form; our list follows Education Code § 33190. We could not load the statute pages directly (the Legislature's site blocked automated access), so verify the text if a detail matters.
SB 848 (2025), effective in stages from 2026, makes private school employees and volunteers mandated reporters and requires child-safety policies and training. HSLDA reads it as not applying to parents teaching only their own children under their own affidavit, but it can apply to PSPs; ask your PSP how it complies.
Immunization: CDPH rules apply to private schools; HSLDA reports that home-based private schools teaching only their own family are generally not required to collect immunization records. Check CDPH's guidance for your situation.
The October 1-15 window is the statutory filing period; if you open after October 15, file as soon as you start.

Sources

This is a plain-language summary to help you get organized, not legal advice. Laws and forms change, so confirm the details with your state or school district before you file.