Homeschool States

Your state guide · 2026

Georgia homeschool laws

Last verified · View official sources

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The short answer

Georgia families homeschool through a home study program and file a declaration of intent with the Georgia Department of Education within 30 days of starting and by September 1 each year after.

Regulation levelHigh

Editorial category; see the guide.

Notice requiredYes

Within 30 days of starting the program and by September 1 each year after.

Testing / evaluationYes

See requirements for options and exceptions.

Compulsory ages6–16

See the full guide for age exceptions.

Regulation level

H · High
None—
Low—
Moderate—
High▲ This state
The category supplied with this guide, not a score or a legal classification. Requirements depend on your homeschooling option.
View regulation data
Georgia regulation category
StateCategory
GeorgiaHigh

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

    Required

    A declaration of intent listing the names and ages of the students, the address of the home study program, and the 12-month period that counts as the school year. The Department of Education's form also asks which local school system the program is in.

  • Subjects

    Required

    Reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies and science (at a minimum)

  • Hours / days

    Required

    The equivalent of 180 school days a year, each at least 4.5 school hours.

  • Testing / evaluation

    Required

    Students take a nationally standardized test at least every three years, starting at the end of third grade, given in consultation with someone trained to administer and interpret norm-referenced tests. Scores stay with the parent. The instructor also writes an annual progress report covering each required subject.

  • Teacher qualifications

    Not specified

    The teaching parent or guardian needs at least a high school diploma or a state-approved equivalency diploma. A family may instead hire a tutor with the same credential.

  • Records / portfolio

    Required

    Keep standardized test records and scores; they do not have to be sent to public school officials. Keep each annual progress report for at least three years. Attendance records no longer have to be sent to the state.

  • Immunizations

    Not specified

    Not specified in state law. The home study rules in O.C.G.A. § 20-2-690(c) do not require immunization records.

At a glance

  • Declaration of intent due September 1 each year
  • Parent or tutor needs a diploma or equivalency
  • 180 days of 4.5 hours a year
  • Standardized test every 3 years from end of grade 3
  • Grades 6-12 may join public school activities

Requirements at a glance

Read the details for your chosen homeschooling option below.

Open the full requirements table
Georgia homeschool requirements
RequirementWhat to know
Compulsory school ages6–16
Notice requiredYes
Filing deadlineWithin 30 days of starting the program and by September 1 each year after.
Required subjectsReading, language arts, mathematics, social studies and science (at a minimum)
Instruction timeThe equivalent of 180 school days a year, each at least 4.5 school hours.
Parent qualificationsThe teaching parent or guardian needs at least a high school diploma or a state-approved equivalency diploma. A family may instead hire a tutor with the same credential.
Tests & assessmentsStudents take a nationally standardized test at least every three years, starting at the end of third grade, given in consultation with someone trained to administer and interpret norm-referenced tests. Scores stay with the parent. The instructor also writes an annual progress report covering each required subject.
Records to keepKeep standardized test records and scores; they do not have to be sent to public school officials. Keep each annual progress report for at least three years. Attendance records no longer have to be sent to the state.
ImmunizationsNot specified in state law. The home study rules in O.C.G.A. § 20-2-690(c) do not require immunization records.

How to start homeschooling in Georgia

The teaching parent, or a hired tutor, needs at least a high school diploma or equivalency. Programs teach reading, language arts, math, social studies and science for the equivalent of 180 days of four and a half hours, write a yearly progress report, and test with a nationally standardized test every three years starting after third grade.

  1. Choose your homeschooling option

    Home study program. A parent or guardian teaches only their own children, or hires a qualified tutor, under O.C.G.A. § 20-2-690 after filing the declaration of intent.

  2. Prepare your notice

    A declaration of intent listing the names and ages of the students, the address of the home study program, and the 12-month period that counts as the school year. The Department of Education's form also asks which local school system the program is in.

    Open the official notice resource ↗

  3. Check when and where to file

    When: Within 30 days of starting the program and by September 1 each year after.

    Where: Georgia Department of Education, online or by email, fax or mail.

Getting-started steps from the published Georgia guide. Follow the official links for your chosen option.
View steps as a table
How to start homeschooling in Georgia
StepDetails
1. Choose your homeschooling optionHome study program. A parent or guardian teaches only their own children, or hires a qualified tutor, under O.C.G.A. § 20-2-690 after filing the declaration of intent.
2. Prepare your noticeA declaration of intent listing the names and ages of the students, the address of the home study program, and the 12-month period that counts as the school year. The Department of Education's form also asks which local school system the program is in.
3. Check when and where to fileWithin 30 days of starting the program and by September 1 each year after. Georgia Department of Education, online or by email, fax or mail.

Subjects to teach

  • Reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies and science (at a minimum)

Sports & extracurricular activities

Under the Dexter Mosely Act (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-319.6), home study students in grades 6-12 can join extracurricular and interscholastic activities in their resident public school system. A parent must notify the principal and superintendent at least 30 days before the semester and send the latest annual progress report with the instructor's confirmation of passing grades. The student must take one qualifying course through the school system each semester and meet the same eligibility, conduct and tryout rules as other students. A student who leaves public school for home study must wait 12 months before taking part.

Official forms & law

Georgia Department of Education ↗

Forms & guidance

Statutes

Questions, answered.

What do I file to homeschool in Georgia?

A declaration of intent listing the names and ages of the students, the address of the home study program, and the 12-month period that counts as the school year. The Department of Education's form also asks which local school system the program is in.

When do I file in Georgia?

Within 30 days of starting the program and by September 1 each year after.

What assessments are required in Georgia?

Students take a nationally standardized test at least every three years, starting at the end of third grade, given in consultation with someone trained to administer and interpret norm-referenced tests. Scores stay with the parent. The instructor also writes an annual progress report covering each required subject.

Check the original

Sources and last checked

  1. Home School ↗Georgia Department of Education
  2. Georgia Home School: Information about home study programs in the state of Georgia (August 2025) ↗Georgia Department of Education
  3. Home Study Declaration of Intent ↗Georgia Department of Education
  4. SB 123 (Act 16, 2025) as passed ↗Georgia General Assembly
  5. SB 179 (Act 625, 2026) as passed ↗Georgia General Assembly
  6. Summary of General Statutes Enacted at the 2nd Session of the 158th General Assembly (2026) ↗Georgia General Assembly, Office of Legislative Counsel
  7. HB 283 (Act 335, 2013) as passed House and Senate, Section 23 revising § 20-2-690(c) ↗Georgia General Assembly
  8. SB 369 (2026) as passed, Section 2 revising § 20-2-319.6 ↗Georgia General Assembly

Last verified .