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Homeschool laws · Tennessee

How to homeschool in Tennessee

Many families enroll in a church-related umbrella school instead.

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

Tennessee requirements at a glance

Notice to the state or district

Depends on the option. Independent home school: a notice of intent to the local superintendent before each school year. The umbrella options file through the school.

Minimum school time

180 days, at least 4 hours a day (independent home school).

Required subjects

None required.

Parent qualifications

A high school diploma or GED (independent home school).

Testing or evaluation

Independent home school: a standardized test in grades 5, 7 and 9, given by someone not related to the child.

Records to keep

Attendance records, sent to the superintendent at the end of each year (independent home school).

Compulsory school ages

6–17

Legal ways to homeschool in Tennessee

  • Independent home school
  • Church-related school (umbrella)
  • Category III distance-learning school

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

    Independent home school: a notice of intent to the local superintendent before each school year. The umbrella options file through the school.

  2. 02

    Plan 180 school days

    180 days, at least 4 hours a day (independent home school). Pick your start date and breaks, and the calendar shows the exact day you reach 180 days.

    Plan the school year
  3. 03

    Track attendance as you go

    Records Tennessee asks for: attendance records, sent to the superintendent at the end of each year (independent home school). 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

    Independent home school: a standardized test in grades 5, 7 and 9, given by someone not related to the child.

    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

Tennessee homeschool questions

Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in Tennessee?

Independent home school: a notice of intent to the local superintendent before each school year. The umbrella options file through the school.

How many days do you have to homeschool in Tennessee?

180 days, at least 4 hours a day (independent home school).

What subjects are required in Tennessee?

None required.

Does Tennessee require testing for homeschoolers?

Independent home school: a standardized test in grades 5, 7 and 9, given by someone not related to the child.

Do parents need a teaching certificate in Tennessee?

A high school diploma or GED (independent home school).

Confirm before you file

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