Everything you need to know about homeschooling in California - from filing your Private School Affidavit (PSA) to choosing a compliance path and meeting subject requirements. Updated for the 2025-2026 school year.
California is a popular state for homeschooling, with a legal framework that offers significant flexibility despite its reputation for heavy regulation in other areas. The state provides four distinct compliance paths, giving families options ranging from full independence to structured public school programs.
California homeschool law is governed by several sections of the Education Code, primarily Ed. Code §33190 (Private School Affidavit), §48222 (private school attendance exemption), §51210 (required subjects for grades 1-6), and §51220 (required subjects for grades 7-12). Most independent homeschool families use the Private School Affidavit (PSA) path, which establishes your home as a private school.
No teaching credential is required, no standardized testing is mandated, and no curriculum approval is needed. You do need to file an annual PSA, maintain attendance records, and teach required subjects.
The PSA filing is done directly with the California Department of Education - not with your local school district. Do not contact your local school district about homeschooling. This is one of the most common points of confusion for new California homeschool families.
California offers four legal ways to homeschool your children. Each has different requirements, benefits, and trade-offs. Here is how they compare.
| Requirement | PSA (Private School) | PSP (Umbrella) | Public Charter | Credentialed Tutor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Basis | Ed. Code §33190, §48222 | Ed. Code §33190 | Ed. Code §47600+ | Ed. Code §48224 |
| Annual Filing | You file PSA (Oct 1-15) | PSP files for you | School handles it | None required |
| Attendance | Keep daily register | Per PSP policy | Per school policy | 175 days, 3 hrs/day |
| Teacher Qualification | "Capable of teaching" | Per PSP policy | Credentialed teacher support | CA teaching credential required |
| Required Subjects | Same as public schools | Per PSP policy | State standards | Same as public schools |
| Testing | None required | Per PSP policy | May be required | None required |
| Funding | None | None (may have fees) | $2,000-$3,000+/yr for materials | None |
| Best For | Maximum independence | Want support/guidance | Want funding/resources | Have a teaching credential |
Under Ed. Code §33190, you establish your home as a private school by filing a Private School Affidavit. You choose a school name, designate yourself as administrator and teacher, and operate independently. You control the curriculum, schedule, and teaching methods. This is the path used by the majority of independent California homeschool families.
Also called "umbrella schools," a PSP is an existing private school that enrolls homeschool students. The PSP files the PSA on your behalf and may provide curriculum, guidance, record-keeping help, co-op classes, and enrichment activities. You follow the PSP's policies, which vary by program. Some PSPs charge fees.
You enroll your child in a public school's independent study program. The school provides curriculum, credentialed teacher support, and often educational funds ($2,000-$3,000+ per year for materials). Your child is technically enrolled in public school, so you must follow state standards and may need to participate in testing. Less flexibility, but more resources.
Under Ed. Code §48224, a person holding a valid California teaching credential provides instruction. The tutor must teach at least 3 hours per day for 175 days per year during regular school hours. No PSA filing is required. This option is uncommon because of the credential requirement and strict hours.
If you want maximum independence and are comfortable handling your own paperwork, choose the PSA path. If you want support and guidance, a PSP is a good middle ground. If you want free curriculum and funding and are okay with state standards, consider a public charter. The credentialed tutor option is niche and only applies if you or your tutor holds a CA teaching credential.
To begin homeschooling under the PSA (home-based private school) path, you must file a Private School Affidavit with the California Department of Education. This is an annual filing.
You must withdraw your child first before filing the PSA. Keep copies of all withdrawal paperwork. Do not file a PSA while your child is still enrolled full-time elsewhere.
Do NOT contact your local school district about filing your PSA. The PSA is filed directly with the California Department of Education at cde.ca.gov/psa. School district staff are often unfamiliar with homeschool law and may give incorrect information.
Save your PSA confirmation number and print a copy of your filed affidavit. Keep copies with your records every year. Blue Folder tracks your PSA filing deadline and generates reminder notifications automatically. Try it free →
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Under the PSA (home-based private school) path, California does not specify a minimum number of school days or instructional hours. However, you are required to maintain a daily attendance register for each student.
While no specific number of days is mandated for PSA homeschools, California public schools provide 175-180 days of instruction. Many homeschool families use this as a general guideline.
Even though no specific number of days is required, maintaining a consistent attendance record strengthens your compliance position and creates useful documentation if your child later enrolls in public school or applies to college. Most California homeschool families log between 170-180 days.
If you use the credentialed tutor path, strict attendance requirements apply: a minimum of 3 hours per day for 175 days per year, during regular school hours (typically 8 AM - 4 PM).
California requires PSA (home-based private school) families to maintain several types of records. Unlike some states that require no documentation, California expects you to keep organized records as part of operating your private school.
Keep your records organized by school year. Use Blue Folder to track attendance, document your curriculum, upload work samples, and generate your compliance binder - so everything is in one place if you ever need it. Try it free →
Student cumulative records follow the student through their education. Keep these indefinitely, especially for high school years. If your child transitions to public school, college, or employment, these records may be needed.
California does not require any annual evaluation, standardized testing, or assessment for PSA homeschool students. There are no portfolio reviews, no mandatory tests, and no progress reports to submit to the state.
This is one of the key advantages of the PSA path. You are the sole evaluator of your child's educational progress.
While not required, some families choose to administer standardized tests for their own purposes:
If you use a PSP (umbrella school), testing requirements are set by the individual PSP and vary by program. If you enroll in a public charter or independent study program, the school may require standardized testing as part of its enrollment agreement.
California requires that private schools (including home-based private schools) provide instruction in "the several branches of study required in public schools." The specific subjects differ between elementary and secondary grades.
While the subject list is more extensive than some states, you have complete freedom in how you teach these subjects. There are no mandated textbooks, no curriculum approval process, and no prescribed teaching methods. You can use any approach - traditional, Charlotte Mason, classical, unschooling with documentation - as long as you cover the required subject areas.
California has a clear annual calendar for homeschool compliance. The most important date is the PSA filing period in October.
| When | What | Details |
|---|---|---|
| August 1 | PSA filing system opens | The online system at cde.ca.gov/psa opens for the new school year. You can file early if starting mid-year. |
| October 1-15 | Statutory PSA filing period | This is the official annual filing window under Ed. Code §33190. File during this period each year. |
| September 1 | Compulsory age cutoff | Children turning 6 after September 1 are not required to be enrolled until the following school year. |
| June 30 | PSA filing system closes | Last day to file a PSA for the current school year. System reopens August 1 for the next year. |
The statutory PSA filing period is October 1-15. While the system is open from August through June, filing during the statutory period ensures you are in full compliance. If you miss October, file as soon as possible - the system remains open, but it is best practice to file on time.
California does not offer state-funded vouchers or ESA programs for PSA homeschool families. However, there are financial resources available depending on your compliance path.
If you enroll in a public charter or independent study program (compliance path #3), the school often provides $2,000-$3,000+ per year in funds for curriculum materials, educational supplies, and enrichment activities. This is one of the main reasons families choose this path despite its additional requirements.
Available to students age 16+ (or who have completed 10th grade), the CHSPE is an alternative to a traditional diploma. Passing the CHSPE provides the legal equivalent of a high school diploma and can allow early entry to community college or the workforce.
Homeschool students can apply to University of California and California State University campuses. Key considerations:
Community college is an excellent pathway for California homeschoolers. Many families have their students dual-enroll at a community college during high school, then transfer to a UC or CSU campus. This bypasses some of the A-G documentation challenges and can save significantly on tuition.
Access to public school resources for independent (PSA) homeschoolers in California is more limited than in some states. However, there are options available.
The most common way for California homeschoolers to access public school resources is through public charter independent study programs. These provide curriculum funding, credentialed teacher support, and sometimes access to school facilities and activities. However, you give up some independence - your child is technically enrolled in public school.
High school-age homeschoolers can enroll in courses at California community colleges. This is a widely used pathway that provides access to college-level instruction and helps build a strong transcript for university applications.
Access to public school sports for PSA homeschoolers varies by district. California does not have a statewide "Tim Tebow" law guaranteeing homeschool students access to public school sports. Some districts allow participation; many do not. If sports access is important, enrolling in a charter school program is often the most reliable path.
Students enrolled in a PSP (umbrella school) may have access to co-op classes, enrichment activities, and organized sports through the PSP. Students in a public charter program typically have full access to the charter school's extracurricular offerings.
California's homeschool framework has some unique aspects that trip up new families. Here are the most common mistakes.
The October 1-15 PSA filing window is the single most important compliance date for California homeschoolers. Set a calendar reminder. File early in the window to avoid last-minute technical issues with the online system.
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Track California ComplianceDisclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Homeschool laws can change. Always verify current requirements with the California Department of Education or consult a qualified attorney. For the full text of the law, see CDE Homeschool Information and the PSA Filing Portal. Last updated February 2026.