Two states, side by side

California vs Tennessee: 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

California is the more regulated of the two: it requires notice but no testing or evaluation, while Tennessee requires no notice to homeschool. They differ on 6 of the 9 rules compared: notice of intent, hours or days per year, required subjects, compulsory school ages, ESA funding, and public school sports access.

Rules compared: 9
Differences: 6
Same in both: 3

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	Tennessee
Notice of intent Differs	Required, filed with the state education department	Not required
Hours or days per year Differs	175 days a year	180 days a year
Required subjects Differs	7 named: math, language arts, social studies, science, visual/performing arts, health, physical education	None named
Testing or evaluation	None	None
Portfolio of work	Not required	Not required
Progress reports	Once a year	None
Compulsory school ages Differs	6-18	6-17
ESA or school choice funding Differs	No program	Education Freedom Scholarship Act (EFS)
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 Tennessee

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

There is no notice to file in Tennessee. Before you leave, send California's district a short withdrawal note so its attendance record closes.
The annual target changes from 175 days a year in California to 180 days a year in Tennessee.
Tennessee names no required subjects. California's list is still a sensible course plan; it stops being a legal one.
Compulsory school ages are 6-17 in Tennessee against 6-18 in California, so check whether your youngest or oldest is now inside or outside the rule.
Tennessee runs Education Freedom Scholarship Act (EFS). Check whether your family qualifies; California had no comparable program.
Can homeschoolers play public school sports? In Tennessee the answer is yes; in California it was no.

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

Moving from Tennessee to California

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

File a notice of intent with the state education department once you are a California resident. Tennessee did not ask for one, so this is new paperwork.
The annual target changes from 180 days a year in Tennessee to 175 days a year in California.
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.
Compulsory school ages are 6-18 in California against 6-17 in Tennessee, so check whether your youngest or oldest is now inside or outside the rule.
California has no ESA program. Tennessee's Education Freedom Scholarship Act (EFS) is for Tennessee residents, so budget without it.
Can homeschoolers play public school sports? In California the answer is no; in Tennessee it was yes.

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

What stays the same

California and Tennessee match on testing or evaluation, the portfolio, and progress reports. Your habits on those carry over unchanged.

Do your records transfer?

Neither California nor Tennessee 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 Tennessee page.

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