Updated for 2026 – Complete Guide to U.S. Homeschool Testing Laws
Quick Summary: Homeschool Testing Requirements by State
- 8 states require homeschool assessments for all students
- 15 states require assessments only in certain situations
- 27 states have no homeschool testing at all
- Most homeschoolers do not take state public-school tests
- Many states accept portfolios or evaluations instead of standardized tests
Do Homeschoolers Have to Take State Tests?
Usually No!
Most homeschool students are not required to take the same standardized tests used in public schools. Even in states with testing requirements, parents often choose alternatives such as portfolio reviews or written evaluations.
Whether a homeschool child must take a state test depends entirely on:
- State law
- The child’s grade level
- How the homeschool is legally structured
Why Homeschool Assessment Requirements Matter
Homeschooling continues to grow across the United States, giving parents more control over education.
However, every state sets its own laws, and testing requirements are one of the biggest differences between them.
Understanding your state’s homeschool laws helps families:
- Stay compliant with attendance requirements
- Avoid conflicts with local school districts
- Maintain academic records for diplomas or returning to public school
What States Require Homeschool Testing?
Homeschool assessment laws fall into three main categories.
States That Require Assessments for All Homeschoolers (8 States)
These states require annual assessments every school year, regardless of method.
| State | Assessment Requirement |
| New York | Standardized test or approved alternative |
| Pennsylvania | Evaluation report reviewed by a qualified evaluator |
| Massachusetts | The parents provide an annual evaluation or progress report to the local school district, where it’s either approved or rejected. |
| Rhode Island | Ongoing evaluations |
| Vermont | Annual assessment |
| Washington | Annual test or evaluation |
| North Carolina | Annual standardized test |
| Virginia | Annual evaluation |
In summary:
- 8 states total
- Annual assessments required
- Testing alternatives often allowed
States With Conditional Homeschool Testing Requirements (15 States)
When a state has conditional homeschool testing requirements, it means testing is not automatic for every homeschool family. Instead, assessments are required only if certain conditions apply.
In these states, whether your child needs to be tested depends on how you homeschool, what grade your child is in, or which legal option you choose under state law.
What “conditional” actually means in practice
Most conditional testing rules fall into one or more of these situations:
- Specific grades: Some states only require assessments at certain grade levels, such as elementary benchmarks, middle school, or high school. Testing might happen every few years instead of annually.
- Homeschool options or legal structures: Many states offer more than one legal way to homeschool. These are often called homeschool options. Each option can come with different rules. Choosing one option instead of another may determine whether testing is required.
- Oversight by a superintendent or umbrella school: In some states, homeschool families report to a district superintendent or enroll under an umbrella school. When there is formal oversight, assessments are more likely to be required.
In these states, parents often get to choose how learning is evaluated, and standardized tests are not always mandatory.
Here is the list of Conditional Homeschool Testing States
| State | Testing Requirement |
| Florida | Families must complete an annual evaluation, but parents may choose a portfolio review, an evaluator letter, or a nationally normed standardized test. Portfolio evaluations are very common and widely accepted. |
| Georgia | Homeschool students are required to take standardized tests every three years, rather than every school year. Also, submit annual evaluations. |
| Tennessee | Testing requirements depend on the homeschool category chosen, such as independent homeschooling, enrollment in an umbrella school, or participation in a church-related school. |
| Colorado | Homeschool students must complete assessments at specific grade levels, and families may choose between standardized tests or professional evaluations. |
| Louisiana | Testing applies to some homeschool programs, while families enrolled in the approved home study program meet requirements through alternative evaluations. |
| Maryland | Homeschool families must participate in regular reviews, typically conducted by a school district or umbrella organization, often using a portfolio of student work. |
| Minnesota | Standardized testing is required unless the homeschool instructor meets specific qualification exemptions, in which case testing may not be necessary. |
| New Hampshire | Families must complete an annual evaluation, and parents may choose standardized testing, a portfolio review, or a written evaluation by a qualified educator. |
| Oregon | Standardized testing is required at specific grade levels only, rather than every school year. |
| Hawaii | Testing is required for certain ages, but the parent has the option to arrange for private testing at their own expense. |
| Maine | Families must complete annual assessments, but parents can choose between standardized tests or portfolio-based evaluations. |
| South Carolina | Homeschooled students under option one must participate in the state’s annual testing |
| West Virginia | Standardized testing is required at specific grade levels only, rather than every school year. It all depends on your homeschooling selection. |
| Iowa | CPI students have different options to provide annual assessments. |
| North Dakota | Standardized testing is required at specific grade levels only; but parents can opt out. |
In summary:
- 15 states total
- Testing depends on grade level or homeschool option
- Portfolio reviews and evaluations are widely accepted alternatives to testing
States That Do Not Require Homeschool Testing (27 States)
These states do not require homeschool families to submit standardized tests, portfolios, or evaluations to the state or local school district.
This means parents are not required to prove academic progress through testing or formal assessments as part of compliance with homeschool laws.
What “no testing required” really means
In these states:
- Parents still must follow basic homeschool laws, such as teaching required subjects
- The state does not collect test scores or portfolios
- Families are trusted to manage their child’s education without annual submissions
It does not mean homeschooling has no rules at all. It simply means the state does not require assessment reporting. A few of these states have requirements for parents to keep records of their children’s academic progress and attendance if they are asked to submit them.
States with no homeschool testing requirements
- Texas
- Idaho
- Alaska
- Oklahoma
- Missouri
- Iowa
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Michigan
- New Jersey
- Connecticut
- Utah
- Nevada
- California
- Oklahoma
- Kentucky
- Montana
- Wyoming
- New Mexico
- Nebraska
- Delaware
- Kansas
- Arkansas
- South Dakota
- Alabama
- Mississippi
- Wisconsin
In summary:
- 27 states total
- No required testing, portfolios, or evaluations
- Many parents still keep records for their own use or future school transitions
Helpful note for new homeschool parents
Even in states with no testing requirements, families often keep:
- Work samples
- Reading lists
- Attendance records
- High school transcripts
These records can be helpful if your child returns to public school, applies to college, or moves to a different state with stricter homeschool laws. They are also advised by state education departments so that you can maintain these records in the event you move, a transfer, a state move, or pursue post-secondary education.
What Counts as a Homeschool Assessment?
When assessments are required, parents usually choose one of the following options:
- Standardized tests administered at certain grades or annually
- Portfolio reviews showing progress in English, math, history, etc.
- Evaluator statements written by a qualified educator
A homeschool portfolio acts as a learning snapshot, documenting the student’s subjects, projects, and progress throughout the year.
Common Myths About Homeschool Testing
| Myth | Truth |
| “All homeschoolers must take state tests.” | Only 9 states require assessments for all homeschool students. |
| “Standardized tests are the only option.” | Many states allow portfolios or written evaluations instead. |
| “Homeschool laws are the same everywhere.” | Homeschool regulations vary widely from state to state. |
Why You Should Understand State Testing Laws
Homeschooling offers flexibility, but that freedom works best when families understand the rules.
Knowing your state’s testing requirements helps parents:
- Plan their school year confidently
- Maintain compliant academic records
- Avoid last-minute legal or district issues
Homeschool laws can feel overwhelming at first, especially when testing and assessment rules change from state to state. But once you understand how your state works, one thing becomes clear: most homeschool families have more flexibility than they realize.
In many states, portfolios aren’t just allowed. They’re encouraged. They give parents a practical way to document learning, show student progress, and stay compliant without forcing children into one-size-fits-all testing. More importantly, portfolios let families tell the full story of their child’s education, not just what fits on a test page.
If your state requires annual evaluations, conditional assessments, or no testing at all, keeping a clear, organized homeschool portfolio puts you in control. It prepares you for evaluations, protects you if questions ever come up, and makes transitions to public school, college, or another state much easier.
Homeschooling works best when families feel confident, informed, and prepared. Understanding your state’s assessment rules is the first step. Building a strong portfolio is what makes everything else simpler.
If your state allows portfolio evaluations, creating a digital homeschool portfolio can be one of the simplest ways to stay organized and prepare: See what a digital homeschool portfolio looks like at homeschool-portfolios.com/digital-portfolio
