Florida homeschool requirements
Overview
Florida parents notify the district superintendent, keep a portfolio of records, and obtain an annual educational evaluation that is filed with the superintendent. A teaching certificate is not required for the parent.
Legal pathway: Home education program registered with the district school superintendent (Fla. Stat. 1002.41).
Notification and registration
Written notice, signed by the parent, filed with the district school superintendent of the county of residence within 30 days of establishing the home education program. It must include the full legal names, addresses and birthdates of all children enrolled. The superintendent must accept and register it and may not require more information unless the student joins a district program.
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Notice of intent | Within 30 days of establishing the program |
| Notice of termination + final annual evaluation | Within 30 days of termination |
Who may teach: Parent is not required to hold a Florida teaching certificate.
Ages: Not stated in s. 1002.41.
Required subjects
- No specific subject list in s. 1002.41: The home education statute does not list required subjects.
How our subjects line up
MathematicsNot listed
s. 1002.41 does not list required subjects.
English Language Arts (Reading & Writing)Not listed
s. 1002.41 does not list required subjects.
ScienceNot listed
s. 1002.41 does not list required subjects.
History & Social StudiesNot listed
s. 1002.41 does not list required subjects.
Spanish (world language)Not listed
The required subjects this guide lists for Florida do not include a world language. Spanish is an elective here; it can still count toward a broad, balanced program.
English as a Second LanguageNot listed
This guide does not list an English or language-arts requirement for Florida. ESL is an elective that builds English skills.
Instruction time: Home education programs are excluded from meeting the requirements of a school day (s. 1002.41(3)).
Testing and assessment
Annual educational evaluation, method chosen by the parent, filed with the district superintendent each year.
- Option 1: a teacher you select (holding a valid regular Florida certificate to teach academic subjects) reviews the portfolio and talks with the student.
- Option 2: any nationally normed student achievement test administered by a certified teacher.
- Option 3: a state student assessment test used by the school district, administered by a certified teacher at a district-approved location.
- Option 4: evaluation by a licensed psychologist (s. 490.003(7) or (8)).
- Option 5: any other valid measurement tool mutually agreed with the superintendent.
- If progress is not commensurate with ability, the superintendent notifies you in writing; you have 1 year to provide remedial instruction and be re-evaluated.
Record-keeping
Maintain a portfolio and keep it for 2 years.
- A log of educational activities made contemporaneously with instruction that designates by title any reading materials used.
- Samples of writings, worksheets, workbooks or creative materials used or developed by the student.
- You determine the portfolio's content; preserve it for 2 years; make it available for inspection on 15 days' written notice from the superintendent or agent.
Florida homeschool checklist
Guidance only. Last verified 2026-10-26. Verify each step with the official sources below.
Notes and limits of this guide
- The Florida DOE home education web page could not be retrieved during research; this guide is based on the statute text from the Florida Legislature.
Official sources
Last verified 2026-10-26. Always check these pages for the current rules.