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Homeschool laws · Alabama

How to homeschool in Alabama

Most families homeschool through a church school (umbrella), which handles the paperwork with the district.

Checked November 2026 against the HSLDA summary for Alabama. Laws change, so confirm with the source before you file.

Alabama requirements at a glance

Notice to the state or district

Depends on the option. Depends on the option. With a church school, the school files an enrollment form with the local superintendent once, when the child enrolls. A private tutor files a statement listing students, subjects and schedule.

Minimum school time

Private tutor: 3 hours a day for 140 days, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Church and private schools set their own schedule.

Required subjects

Private tutor: the subjects taught in public schools, in English. Church and private schools: set by the school.

Parent qualifications

Only the private tutor option requires an Alabama teaching certificate.

Testing or evaluation

None required.

Records to keep

An attendance register for every school day (church and private schools), or a register of daily hours (tutor).

Compulsory school ages

6–17

Legal ways to homeschool in Alabama

  • Church school (umbrella)
  • Private school
  • Private tutor (certified teacher)

Each option has its own rules. The table above mainly describes the first option listed; read the source before choosing.

What to do, step by step

  1. 01

    Pick your legal option, then file what it asks

    Depends on the option. With a church school, the school files an enrollment form with the local superintendent once, when the child enrolls. A private tutor files a statement listing students, subjects and schedule.

  2. 02

    Plan your school year

    Private tutor: 3 hours a day for 140 days, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Church and private schools set their own schedule. A planned calendar still makes the year easier to keep on track.

    Plan the school year
  3. 03

    Track attendance as you go

    Records Alabama asks for: an attendance register for every school day (church and private schools), or a register of daily hours (tutor). Even where nothing is required, a dated log protects you if you move, return to school or apply to college.

    Open the attendance tracker
  4. 04

    Keep everything in one place

    Attendance, report cards, reading and field trip logs, test scores and work samples, in the order an evaluator or a school district usually asks for them.

    See the Records Binder

Alabama homeschool questions

Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in Alabama?

Depends on the option. With a church school, the school files an enrollment form with the local superintendent once, when the child enrolls. A private tutor files a statement listing students, subjects and schedule.

How many days do you have to homeschool in Alabama?

Private tutor: 3 hours a day for 140 days, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Church and private schools set their own schedule.

What subjects are required in Alabama?

Private tutor: the subjects taught in public schools, in English. Church and private schools: set by the school.

Does Alabama require testing for homeschoolers?

None required.

Do parents need a teaching certificate in Alabama?

Only the private tutor option requires an Alabama teaching certificate.

Confirm before you file

This page summarizes the law in plain English and is not legal advice. Read the HSLDA legal summary for Alabama and your state’s own education department page, and compare all 50 states in our homeschool laws by state guide.

Homeschool laws in other states