Homeschool laws by requirement
States That Require a Homeschool Portfolio
A required portfolio and an optional one are different obligations. The states below require the folder itself. Further down are the states where a portfolio review is one way to satisfy an assessment rule.
Start tracking freeThe short answer
6 of the 50 states plus DC require a portfolio of student work. Another 10 accept a portfolio review as one way to meet an annual assessment rule without requiring the portfolio itself.
- Portfolio required
- 6
- Reading log required
- 2
- Portfolio as an option
- 10
The 6 states, side by side
Tap a state for the full rule, what counts, the deadlines, and the sources it was verified against.
| State | Reviewed by | Reading log | Also required | Free printable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | Portfolio review | — | Notice, Testing, Reports | Portfolio checklist |
| Florida | Parent's choice (testing, portfolio, or evaluation) | Required | Notice, Testing, Reports | Portfolio checklist |
| Maryland | Portfolio review | — | Notice, Testing, Reports | Portfolio checklist |
| Missouri | Kept at home, shown on request | — | 1000 hours | Portfolio checklist |
| Pennsylvania | Professional evaluation | Required | Notice, 900 hours over 180 days, Testing, Reports | Portfolio checklist |
| South Carolina | Kept at home, shown on request | — | 180 days | Portfolio checklist |
Figures are Homeschool Fox's verified compliance data, the same numbers on each state's page. Requirements change; confirm with your state before relying on a figure.
States where a portfolio is one assessment option (10)
These states do not require a portfolio, but accept a portfolio review as one way to meet their annual assessment rule. Families who would rather not test often choose it.
Colorado Hawaii Maine Massachusetts New York Rhode Island Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia
Build the portfolio as the year happens
Attach work samples to logged activities and Homeschool Fox assembles the portfolio, dated and by subject, when the review comes around.
Each state's figures were verified between May 2026 and September 2026 against that state's own published requirements. The state page lists the sources and the date.
Legal minimums only. Where a state publishes a recommendation rather than a rule, it is not counted here. Homeschool Fox is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.
Other requirements, state by state
- States With Homeschool Hour and Day Requirements 21 states
- States That Require Homeschool Testing or Evaluation 19 states
- States That Require a Homeschool Notice of Intent 36 states
- States Where You Can Homeschool Without Filing Notice 15 states
- States That Require Homeschool Progress Reports 22 states
- Required Homeschool Subjects by State 34 states
- Homeschool Laws by State All 51 jurisdictions, least to most regulated.
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