How Many Hours a Day Is Homeschool? State Rules

Most states set no daily minimum for homeschool hours; 5 states set daily hours, while Alabama and California require them only for private-tutor options. Those five are Colorado, Georgia, North Dakota, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Many families find one-on-one lessons take less time than a classroom day. Your state’s rules may set daily hours, yearly hours, or a required term, and the legal option you use can affect which rule applies.

Not specified in state law

Days, term or general standard

Depends on the legal option

Sets yearly hours

Sets daily hours

50 states · Bars show the number of states in each group.

Key Takeaways

• Five states set daily hours for homeschool instruction.
• Eight states apply different time rules based on your legal option.
• Twenty-one states do not specify instruction time in state law.

The Short Answer

Most states do not set a daily homeschool schedule; five set daily hours, seven set yearly hours, nine set days, a term, or a general standard, eight vary by legal option, and twenty-one do not specify instruction time in state law.

For questions such as “how many hours do you have to homeschool” and “how many days do you have to homeschool,” check the rule for your state and the legal option you use. Homeschool attendance requirements may set a specific amount of instruction time or leave the schedule to you.

States That Set Daily Hours

Five states set daily instruction hours: Colorado, Georgia, North Dakota, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Alabama and California also set daily hours for private-tutor options.

In Colorado, instruction must average 4 instructional contact hours a day, with at least 172 days a year. Georgia requires at least 4.5 school hours each day for the equivalent of 180 school days a year.

North Dakota requires at least four hours a day for at least 175 days a year. South Carolina’s Option One requires at least 4.5 hours of instruction a day, not counting lunch and recess, and at least 180 days a year.

Tennessee requires at least 4 hours of instruction a day for the same number of days public schools must hold, which the Department of Education gives as 180 days a school year. Alabama’s private-tutor option requires at least three hours a day for 140 days each calendar year, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.; California’s credentialed-tutor option requires at least 3 hours a day for 175 days a year, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

States That Set Yearly Hours

Seven states set yearly instruction-hour requirements: Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Missouri requires at least 1,000 hours a year, including at least 600 hours in core subjects or closely related academic courses. At least 400 of those 600 hours must take place at the regular home school location; these hour rules do not apply to students 16 or older.

Montana requires the same minimum yearly hours as public schools: 720 hours for grades 1-3 and 1,080 hours for grades 4-12. For graduating seniors, 1,050 hours can be enough; kindergarten requires 360 half-day or 720 full-day hours.

Nebraska’s department rules and filing guidance require at least 1,032 hours a year for elementary grades (K-8) and 1,080 hours for secondary grades (9-12), prorated for mid-year starts. New York requires the equivalent of 180 days a year: 900 hours for grades 1-6 and 990 hours for grades 7-12.

Pennsylvania requires 180 days, or 900 hours a year at the elementary level and 990 hours at the secondary level. Washington requires an average of 1,000 hours a year for grades 1-12 and at least 450 hours for kindergarten. Wisconsin requires at least 875 hours of instruction each school year.

States That Set Days or a School Term

Nine states set a day count, term, or general attendance standard without setting daily hours: Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Indiana requires attendance for as many days as public schools are in session; the Department of Education describes this as 180 days, with the parent choosing the days and daily schedule. Kansas requires a period substantially equivalent to the local public school term. KSDE notes that public schools run at least 186 six-hour days or 1,116 hours a year for grades 1-11.

Louisiana’s state education department says children must be in a school or approved home study program for at least 180 days a year. Maine requires at least 175 days a year, while Maryland requires regular, thorough instruction during the school year for sufficient time to implement the program, with no set number of days or hours.

North Carolina requires a regular schedule of at least nine calendar months a year, apart from reasonable holidays and vacations. Oklahoma requires other means of education for the full term the district’s schools are in session; the state education department recommends 180 days of about six hours.

Rhode Island requires attendance substantially equal to what public schools require; the state education department notes districts must provide at least 1,080 hours a year. Vermont requires the equivalent of at least 175 days of instruction per year.

States Where It Depends on Your Option

Eight states apply different instruction-time rules based on the legal option you use: Alabama, Alaska, California, Iowa, Kentucky, New Mexico, Oregon, and West Virginia.

In Alabama, church-school and private-school options have no instruction-time rule specified in state law; the private-tutor option requires at least three hours a day for 140 days each calendar year, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. In Alaska, state law does not specify time for parent-taught home education, while exempt religious or private schools must operate at least 180 days a year.

In California, state law does not specify time for a home-based private school; a credentialed tutor must teach at least 3 hours a day for 175 days a year, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. In Iowa, competent private instruction (CPI) by a licensed practitioner requires at least 148 days a year, with at least 37 days each quarter; independent private instruction (IPI) and parent-supervised CPI have no time specified in state law.

In Kentucky, non-certified homeschools have no time specified in state law. Certified private schools must meet the public school term of 1,062 hours over at least 170 days, and the state education department recommends that all homeschools do the same.

In New Mexico, the home school law does not specify time; the department’s form and FAQ point to the public school minimum of 1,140 instructional hours a year, or 550 for half-day kindergarten. In Oregon, state law does not specify time for parent instruction; a private teacher must teach for a period equal to public school.

In West Virginia, state law does not specify time for the notice-of-intent option. The county-approved option requires a term equal to the public school instructional term.

States With No Time Rule

Twenty-one states do not specify instruction time in state law. Some state guidance includes recordkeeping advice or clarifies how public school attendance rules relate to home education.

Full State-by-State Table

The table gives each state’s instruction-time category and rule. Check the rule for your legal option where the state places homeschool instruction in the option-dependent group.