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Homeschool laws · Florida

How to homeschool in Florida

Families in an umbrella school follow the umbrella’s rules instead of filing with the county.

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

Florida requirements at a glance

Notice to the state or district

Yes, once. A notice of intent to the county superintendent within 30 days of starting, filed once. A notice of termination within 30 days of finishing or moving out of the county.

Minimum school time

None set under the homeschool statute.

Required subjects

None mandated.

Parent qualifications

None for parents under the homeschool statute.

Testing or evaluation

One evaluation each year, chosen from five: a certified teacher’s portfolio review, a nationally normed test given by a certified teacher, the state test, a psychologist’s evaluation, or another agreed tool.

Records to keep

A portfolio: a log of activities written as they happen (with reading material titles) and work samples, kept for two years.

Compulsory school ages

6–16

Legal ways to homeschool in Florida

  • Homeschool statute
  • Private school umbrella
  • Private tutor (certified)

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

    File your notice

    A notice of intent to the county superintendent within 30 days of starting, filed once. A notice of termination within 30 days of finishing or moving out of the county.

    Write the letter of intent
  2. 02

    Plan your school year

    None set under the homeschool statute. A planned calendar still makes the year easier to keep on track.

    Plan the school year
  3. 03

    Track attendance as you go

    Records Florida asks for: a portfolio: a log of activities written as they happen (with reading material titles) and work samples, kept for two years. 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

    Plan the test or evaluation

    One evaluation each year, chosen from five: a certified teacher’s portfolio review, a nationally normed test given by a certified teacher, the state test, a psychologist’s evaluation, or another agreed tool.

    Log test scores
  5. 05

    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

Florida homeschool questions

Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in Florida?

A notice of intent to the county superintendent within 30 days of starting, filed once. A notice of termination within 30 days of finishing or moving out of the county.

How many days do you have to homeschool in Florida?

None set under the homeschool statute.

What subjects are required in Florida?

None mandated.

Does Florida require testing for homeschoolers?

One evaluation each year, chosen from five: a certified teacher’s portfolio review, a nationally normed test given by a certified teacher, the state test, a psychologist’s evaluation, or another agreed tool.

Do parents need a teaching certificate in Florida?

None for parents under the homeschool statute.

Confirm before you file

This page summarizes the law in plain English and is not legal advice. Read the HSLDA legal summary for Florida 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