Two states, side by side

California vs Florida: Homeschool Laws Compared

Nine rules compared from each state's verified compliance data, then what changes for a family moving in either direction.

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The short answer

Florida is the more regulated of the two: it requires notice and a periodic assessment, while California requires notice but no testing or evaluation. They differ on 8 of the 9 rules compared: notice of intent, hours or days per year, required subjects, testing or evaluation, the portfolio, compulsory school ages, ESA funding, and public school sports access.

Rules compared: 9
Differences: 8
Same in both: 1

The rules, side by side

Rows where the two states differ are marked. Tap a state name for its full guide, deadlines, and sources.

Rule	California	Florida
Notice of intent Differs	Required, filed with the state education department	Required, filed with the local school district
Hours or days per year Differs	175 days a year	No minimum
Required subjects Differs	7 named: math, language arts, social studies, science, visual/performing arts, health, physical education	None named
Testing or evaluation Differs	None	Parent's choice (testing, portfolio, or evaluation), annually
Portfolio of work Differs	Not required	Required
Progress reports	Once a year	Once a year
Compulsory school ages Differs	6-18	6-16
ESA or school choice funding Differs	No program	Florida Tax Credit Scholarship: Personalized Education Program (FTC-PEP)
Public school sports access Differs	No	Yes

Figures are the same verified compliance data shown on each state's page. Requirements change; confirm with your state before you rely on one.

Moving from California to Florida

Once you are a Florida resident you homeschool under Florida's rules. These are the ones that change.

Notice still applies, but it goes to the local school district in Florida rather than the state education department.
Florida sets no hour or day minimum. Keep the log anyway; it is what you show if anyone asks, and what you build a transcript from.
Florida names no required subjects. California's list is still a sensible course plan; it stops being a legal one.
Florida requires parent's choice (testing, portfolio, or evaluation), annually. California had no assessment rule, so plan for it in your first year.
Keep a portfolio of dated work samples: Florida requires one and California did not.
Compulsory school ages are 6-16 in Florida against 6-18 in California, so check whether your youngest or oldest is now inside or outside the rule.
Florida runs Florida Tax Credit Scholarship: Personalized Education Program (FTC-PEP). Check whether your family qualifies; California had no comparable program.
Can homeschoolers play public school sports? In Florida the answer is yes; in California it was no.

How to start homeschooling in Florida Moving to Florida checklist Withdrawing in California Florida letter of intent California withdrawal letter (free PDF)

Moving from Florida to California

Once you are a California resident you homeschool under California's rules. These are the ones that change.

Notice still applies, but it goes to the state education department in California rather than the local school district.
Start logging from your first day: California counts 175 days a year, and Florida set no minimum.
California names 7 required subjects (math, language arts, social studies, science, visual/performing arts, health, physical education). Tag activities to them so a gap shows before the year ends.
California requires no testing or evaluation. Keep Florida's past results with your records; colleges may still ask for them.
California does not require a portfolio. Bring Florida's with you anyway; it is your proof of progress if a question ever comes up.
Compulsory school ages are 6-18 in California against 6-16 in Florida, so check whether your youngest or oldest is now inside or outside the rule.
California has no ESA program. Florida's Florida Tax Credit Scholarship: Personalized Education Program (FTC-PEP) is for Florida residents, so budget without it.
Can homeschoolers play public school sports? In California the answer is no; in Florida it was yes.

How to start homeschooling in California Moving to California checklist Withdrawing in Florida California letter of intent Florida withdrawal letter (free PDF) California hour log (free PDF)

What stays the same

California and Florida match on progress reports. Your habits on those carry over unchanged.

Do your records transfer?

Neither California nor Florida takes homeschool records from another state, and there is no transfer process between them. You keep your own: the hours or attendance log, work samples, and any grades or transcripts. Those are what the new state, and later a college, may ask to see. Homeschool Fox keeps them in one account that moves with your family.

Homeschool record keeping guide How to withdraw from public school

Sourced from each state's own published requirements. See the sources and verification dates on the California page and the Florida page.

Homeschool Fox is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Confirm details with your state or a qualified advisor.