Twelve states ask homeschooling families for no notice of intent and no testing or evaluation: Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming. If "easiest" means the least paperwork to file, that is the list. It comes with caveats, below.

Last reviewed: November 2026. This is not legal advice. Laws change, so confirm with your state's statute or the linked HSLDA page before you act.

The 12 states with no notice and no testing

We built this list from each state's summary on the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), which we read in November 2026. A state is on it when we found no required notice and no required test or evaluation. Each name links to our state page.

State Compulsory ages What it still asks of you
Alaska 7–16 Nothing under the homeschool statute (the religious private school option has filings and tests).
Connecticut 5–18 Nothing this year. A 2026 law starts a notice requirement on July 1, 2028.
Idaho 7–16 Teach the subjects commonly taught in public schools.
Illinois 6–17 Teach the required subjects; homeschools act as private schools but are not registered.
Indiana 7–18 The same number of days as local public schools (often 180) and attendance records you can show on request.
Michigan 6–18 Nothing to file under the homeschool statute.
Missouri 7–17 1,000 hours a year, with 600 in core subjects, and a log for children under 16.
New Hampshire 6–18 Nothing since HB 1268 removed notice, evaluation and record-keeping.
New Jersey 6–16 An education that is academically equivalent to public school, in good faith.
Oklahoma 5–18 180 days; no notice, testing or record-keeping requirement.
Texas 6–19 A bona fide curriculum in reading, spelling, grammar, math and good citizenship.
Wyoming 7–16 A written withdrawal if your child is leaving a public school.

Sources: the HSLDA pages for each state, for example Texas, Michigan and Oklahoma. New Hampshire's change is House Bill 1268.

"No notice" does not mean "no rules"

Even in these twelve states you usually still have to:

  • Teach. Many list subjects (Illinois, Texas, Connecticut) or an "equivalent" education (New Jersey).
  • Meet a time requirement. Indiana and Oklahoma use days; Missouri counts hours, so a daily log matters there.
  • Handle the withdrawal. If your child is leaving public school, some districts expect a letter even when the state does not require one. Wyoming's guidance is to withdraw in writing.

Missing a rule that does exist is the usual way families get into trouble, so read your state page, not just the headline.

Two things that change the picture

Some states are on the list by a technicality. Alaska is light only if you use the homeschool statute. The other Alaska options (private tutor, school board approval, religious school) carry filings. Choose the option on purpose.

The list moves. New Hampshire joined in 2026 after HB 1268. Connecticut is on it today, but its notice requirement begins July 1, 2028. Our 2026 state laws overview tracks both changes.

Easy to file is not the same as easy to homeschool

Fewer rules mean fewer forms, but you still might want records: for a transcript, for a college application, or if you ever move to a stricter state. A simple attendance and subject log costs little and covers you everywhere. See how to track attendance for compliance.

If you live in a stricter state, that is manageable too. Whether you need to tell your district is a separate question, covered in do I need to notify the school district?.

See every state's rules on one map

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