Your state guide · 2026
Alabama homeschool laws
Last verified · View official sources
The short answer
Alabama law has no separate home school statute.
Editorial category; see the guide.
Private tutor: before instruction begins, with an enrollment report by the fifth day of the public school year and attendance reports at least weekly after that. Church school: Not specified in state law beyond filing the enrollment form.
See requirements for options and exceptions.
See the full guide for age exceptions.
Regulation level
L · LowView regulation data
| State | Category |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Low |
Your requirements
A practical checklist
“Not specified” means a single yes/no requirement is not explicit in the supplied information. Read each detail for options and exceptions.
Notice
RequiredChurch school: the parent files the child's enrollment and attendance on a form from the local superintendent, countersigned by the church school administrator, and has the church school notify the superintendent if the child stops attending. Private tutor: a statement listing the children, the subjects and the period of instruction.
Subjects
RequiredChurch school and private school: Not specified in state law.; Private tutor: the branches of study required in Alabama public schools, taught in English.
Hours / days
Not specifiedChurch school and private school: Not specified in state law. Private tutor: at least three hours a day for 140 days each calendar year, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Testing / evaluation
Not specifiedNot specified in state law. The state education department says a child returning to public school from a private school, tutor or home school may be given a placement test.
Teacher qualifications
Not specifiedChurch school and private school: Not specified in state law. Private tutor: must hold a certificate issued by the State Superintendent of Education.
Records / portfolio
Not specifiedChurch school: Not specified in state law beyond the enrollment form. Private tutor: a daily register showing hours of instruction and each child's attendance, plus any reports the State Board of Education requires.
Immunizations
Not specifiedNot specified in state law for church school or tutor students. Immunization certificates or exemptions are requested when a child enters an Alabama public school.
At a glance
- No separate home school law: families use a church school, private school or certified tutor
- Church school students file an enrollment form with the local superintendent
- Compulsory ages 6 to 17, and parents may delay entry to age 7
- No state testing required
- Private tutors need an Alabama teaching certificate
Requirements at a glance
Read the details for your chosen homeschooling option below.
Open the full requirements table
| Requirement | What to know |
|---|---|
| Compulsory school ages | 6–17 |
| Notice required | Yes |
| Filing deadline | Private tutor: before instruction begins, with an enrollment report by the fifth day of the public school year and attendance reports at least weekly after that. Church school: Not specified in state law beyond filing the enrollment form. |
| Required subjects | Church school and private school: Not specified in state law.; Private tutor: the branches of study required in Alabama public schools, taught in English. |
| Instruction time | Church school and private school: Not specified in state law. Private tutor: at least three hours a day for 140 days each calendar year, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. |
| Parent qualifications | Church school and private school: Not specified in state law. Private tutor: must hold a certificate issued by the State Superintendent of Education. |
| Tests & assessments | Not specified in state law. The state education department says a child returning to public school from a private school, tutor or home school may be given a placement test. |
| Records to keep | Church school: Not specified in state law beyond the enrollment form. Private tutor: a daily register showing hours of instruction and each child's attendance, plus any reports the State Board of Education requires. |
| Immunizations | Not specified in state law for church school or tutor students. Immunization certificates or exemptions are requested when a child enters an Alabama public school. |
How to start homeschooling in Alabama
Most families teach at home through a church school, which state law says can run home programs, and file an enrollment form, countersigned by the church school, with the local superintendent. The other route is a private tutor who holds an Alabama teaching certificate, teaches at least three hours a day for 140 days a year and reports to the superintendent. Neither route requires state testing.
Choose your homeschooling option
Church school. A child enrolls in a church school, a ministry of a local church, group of churches, denomination or association that takes no state or federal funds and may teach through home programs. The state may not license or regulate church schools. The law's attendance exemption covers church school students until their 16th birthday.
Private school. State law defines a private school as a nongovernmental school offering K-12 instruction on-site or through home programs. The principal teacher reports enrollment and attendance to the superintendent.
Private tutor. A person with a certificate from the State Superintendent of Education teaches the public school subjects in English for at least three hours a day, 140 days a year, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., and files a statement with the superintendent before starting.
Prepare your notice
Church school: the parent files the child's enrollment and attendance on a form from the local superintendent, countersigned by the church school administrator, and has the church school notify the superintendent if the child stops attending. Private tutor: a statement listing the children, the subjects and the period of instruction.
Check when and where to file
When: Private tutor: before instruction begins, with an enrollment report by the fifth day of the public school year and attendance reports at least weekly after that. Church school: Not specified in state law beyond filing the enrollment form.
Where: The county or city superintendent of education for the area where the child lives or is taught.
View steps as a table
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| 1. Choose your homeschooling option | Church school. A child enrolls in a church school, a ministry of a local church, group of churches, denomination or association that takes no state or federal funds and may teach through home programs. The state may not license or regulate church schools. The law's attendance exemption covers church school students until their 16th birthday. Private school. State law defines a private school as a nongovernmental school offering K-12 instruction on-site or through home programs. The principal teacher reports enrollment and attendance to the superintendent. Private tutor. A person with a certificate from the State Superintendent of Education teaches the public school subjects in English for at least three hours a day, 140 days a year, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., and files a statement with the superintendent before starting. |
| 2. Prepare your notice | Church school: the parent files the child's enrollment and attendance on a form from the local superintendent, countersigned by the church school administrator, and has the church school notify the superintendent if the child stops attending. Private tutor: a statement listing the children, the subjects and the period of instruction. |
| 3. Check when and where to file | Private tutor: before instruction begins, with an enrollment report by the fifth day of the public school year and attendance reports at least weekly after that. Church school: Not specified in state law beyond filing the enrollment form. The county or city superintendent of education for the area where the child lives or is taught. |
Subjects to teach
- Church school and private school: Not specified in state law.
- Private tutor: the branches of study required in Alabama public schools, taught in English.
Sports & extracurricular activities
Not specified in the attendance and church school sections of state law that were reviewed. Ask the local school district.
Official forms & law
Alabama State Department of Education ↗
Forms & guidance
Statutes
Questions, answered.
What do I file to homeschool in Alabama?
Church school: the parent files the child's enrollment and attendance on a form from the local superintendent, countersigned by the church school administrator, and has the church school notify the superintendent if the child stops attending. Private tutor: a statement listing the children, the subjects and the period of instruction.
When do I file in Alabama?
Private tutor: before instruction begins, with an enrollment report by the fifth day of the public school year and attendance reports at least weekly after that. Church school: Not specified in state law beyond filing the enrollment form.
What assessments are required in Alabama?
Not specified in state law. The state education department says a child returning to public school from a private school, tutor or home school may be given a placement test.
Check the original
Sources and last checked
- Code of Alabama § 16-28-1 ↗Alabama Legislature
- Code of Alabama § 16-28-3 ↗Alabama Legislature
- Code of Alabama § 16-28-5 ↗Alabama Legislature
- Code of Alabama § 16-28-7 ↗Alabama Legislature
- Alabama Attendance Manual 2026-2027 ↗Alabama State Department of Education
Last verified .