Two states, side by side

California vs Texas: 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 Texas 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	Texas
Notice of intent Differs	Required, filed with the state education department	Not required
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	5 named: reading, spelling, grammar, math, good citizenship
Testing or evaluation	None	None
Portfolio of work	Not required	Not required
Progress reports	Once a year	None
Compulsory school ages Differs	6-18	6-19
ESA or school choice funding Differs	No program	Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) (up to $2,000)
Public school sports access Differs	No	Yes, with conditions

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 Texas

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

There is no notice to file in Texas. Before you leave, send California's district a short withdrawal note so its attendance record closes.
Texas 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.
Texas's required list adds reading, spelling, grammar, and good citizenship and drops language arts, social studies, science, visual/performing arts, health, and physical education compared with California's. Match Texas's wording in your records.
Compulsory school ages are 6-19 in Texas against 6-18 in California, so check whether your youngest or oldest is now inside or outside the rule.
Texas runs Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA). Check whether your family qualifies; California had no comparable program.
Can homeschoolers play public school sports? In Texas the answer is yes, with conditions; in California it was no.

How to start homeschooling in Texas Moving to Texas checklist Withdrawing in California California withdrawal letter (free PDF)

Moving from Texas 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. Texas did not ask for one, so this is new paperwork.
Start logging from your first day: California counts 175 days a year, and Texas set no minimum.
California's required list adds language arts, social studies, science, visual/performing arts, health, and physical education and drops reading, spelling, grammar, and good citizenship compared with Texas's. Match California's wording in your records.
Compulsory school ages are 6-18 in California against 6-19 in Texas, so check whether your youngest or oldest is now inside or outside the rule.
California has no ESA program. Texas's Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) is for Texas residents, so budget without it.
Can homeschoolers play public school sports? In California the answer is no; in Texas it was yes, with conditions.

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

What stays the same

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

Do your records transfer?

Neither California nor Texas 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 Texas page.

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