Everything you need to know about homeschooling in Utah - a low-regulation state with one of the best ESA programs in the country. File a signed affidavit, teach 6 subjects, and access up to $8,000+ per student through the Utah Fits All Scholarship. Updated for the 2025-2026 school year.
Utah is a low-regulation state that combines homeschool-friendly laws with one of the most generous Education Savings Account programs in the nation. The legal requirements are simple: file a signed affidavit with your local school board annually and provide instruction in six broad subject areas.
There is no testing requirement, no curriculum approval, no specific hours or days mandated, and no parent qualifications needed. The governing statute is Utah Code § 53G-6-201 to 53G-6-204.
What makes Utah truly stand out is the Utah Fits All Scholarship, a universal ESA program that provides approximately $8,000+ per student per year with no income limits and no increased oversight requirements for homeschoolers.
Utah is one of the few states where you can receive significant public funding (~$8,000+/student) for homeschool expenses without sacrificing any homeschool freedom. The ESA program was specifically designed to not increase oversight requirements.
Utah has a single, straightforward compliance path. Homeschools are defined separately from private schools under Utah law, with their own statutory provisions that emphasize parental rights and minimal government interference.
| Requirement | Utah Homeschool |
|---|---|
| Legal Basis | Utah Code § 53G-6-201 to 204 |
| Notification | Signed affidavit to school board (annual) |
| Attendance | No minimum days or hours |
| Teacher Qualification | None required |
| Required Subjects | 6 subjects |
| Curriculum | Parent's sole discretion |
| Testing | None required |
| Record-Keeping | Affidavit only (no records submitted) |
Utah law explicitly states that the parent is primarily responsible for education and has sole discretion over curriculum and methods. The state cannot impose additional requirements on homeschools beyond what is in the statute, and the ESA program was designed to preserve these protections even for participating families.
Utah law defines a "home school" as a school in which instruction is provided by a parent or guardian, or a person designated by the parent. This means you can delegate instruction to a tutor, co-op teacher, or online program while maintaining your homeschool status.
Starting homeschool in Utah is a simple process centered around filing your affidavit.
File your affidavit before beginning homeschool instruction. If withdrawing from public school, complete the affidavit and withdrawal process before starting homeschool to avoid any gap in your child's educational status.
Keep a copy of your signed affidavit and any confirmation from the school district. Blue Folder can generate your withdrawal letter and track your compliance status automatically. Try it free →
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Utah requires a signed affidavit filed with your local school board. This is a notification, not a request for permission - the district cannot deny your right to homeschool.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Document | Signed affidavit |
| Submit To | Local school board |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Deadline | Before beginning instruction (or by start of school year) |
Most school districts provide their own affidavit form. Some offer online submission, which is the easiest option. Contact your local district to find out their preferred filing method.
The affidavit is a notification, not a request for approval. The school board receives it but does not "approve" or "deny" it. You have a statutory right to homeschool in Utah.
Utah requires instruction in six broad subject areas. Parents have complete discretion over curriculum, materials, and teaching methods.
These are broad categories, not specific courses. For example, "Language Arts" encompasses reading, writing, spelling, grammar, and composition. "Social Studies" can include history, geography, civics, and economics. Parents choose how to cover each area.
Utah does not mandate a specific curriculum. You may use any materials, any teaching method, and any educational approach. Religious curriculum is permitted. The state does not approve or review your curriculum choices.
If you participate in the Utah Fits All Scholarship, you can use ESA funds to purchase curriculum materials, online courses, and educational resources for all subject areas. This can significantly offset the cost of homeschooling.
Utah does not mandate specific hours, days, or a particular schedule for homeschool instruction. The law requires only that instruction be provided - parents have complete flexibility in how they structure their school year.
There is no requirement to track attendance or submit any attendance records to the state. You set your own schedule entirely.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Daily Hours | Not specified |
| Annual Days | Not specified |
| Schedule | Parent determines entirely |
| Tracking Required | No |
Even though Utah does not require attendance tracking, keeping a basic record of school days is helpful for your own reference - especially for high school transcripts, college applications, or if your family relocates to a state with stricter requirements. Blue Folder makes attendance tracking effortless. Try it free →
Utah does not require any standardized testing, evaluations, portfolio reviews, or progress reports for homeschool students. Parents are the sole judges of their children's educational progress.
This remains true even if you participate in the Utah Fits All ESA program. Utah specifically designed the program to not increase oversight requirements for homeschoolers.
While not required, some families choose to administer standardized tests for their own purposes:
Utah colleges, including the University of Utah and Utah State University, accept homeschool graduates. Most require ACT or SAT scores, a parent-created transcript, and course descriptions. Plan ahead for college admissions by maintaining grade records and building a transcript during high school years.
The only required submission in Utah is the annual signed affidavit. Beyond that, no records need to be kept or submitted to the state.
| Record | Required? | Submit? |
|---|---|---|
| Affidavit | Yes | Yes - to school board |
| Attendance | No | No |
| Curriculum Records | No | No |
| Progress Reports | No | No |
| Test Scores | No | No |
While not legally required, keeping organized records makes your life easier and is essential for certain situations:
Even in a low-regulation state like Utah, staying organized pays off. Blue Folder tracks your attendance, stores work samples, and builds a compliance binder automatically. Try it free →
Utah stands out for offering both strong homeschool freedoms and exceptional financial support through one of the nation's best ESA programs.
The Utah Fits All Scholarship is a universal Education Savings Account program that provides approximately $8,000+ per student per year.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Amount | ~$8,000+ per student/year |
| Eligibility | All Utah K-12 students (universal) |
| Income Limit | None - universal eligibility |
| Increased Oversight | No - same freedoms as non-ESA families |
Unlike some states, Utah's ESA program does not require additional testing, curriculum approval, or progress reporting. You maintain the same homeschool freedoms whether or not you accept ESA funds. This makes it one of the most homeschool-friendly ESA programs in the country.
Utah Code § 53G-6-702 guarantees homeschool students the right to participate in public school athletics and extracurricular activities. This includes:
Students must live in the school's attendance area, meet age and academic eligibility requirements, and comply with UHSAA regulations.
Homeschoolers can request evaluations through their local school district. ESA funds can be used for private special education services, therapies, and specialized instruction, making Utah particularly advantageous for families with special needs children.
Utah's requirements are simple, but new families still encounter avoidable issues.
File your affidavit before you begin homeschool instruction. Keep a copy of your signed affidavit and any confirmation from the district. This is your primary documentation that you are legally homeschooling.
Yes. It is a universal program with no income limits and no prior public school enrollment requirement. All Utah K-12 students are eligible.
No. Utah specifically designed the program to not increase requirements for homeschoolers. You maintain the same freedoms whether or not you participate.
No. Utah has no parent qualification requirements. Any parent or guardian can homeschool.
Yes. Utah Code § 53G-6-702 guarantees homeschool students the right to participate in public school athletics and extracurriculars.
Utah does not specify hours or days. You have complete flexibility in scheduling your instruction.
Curriculum, textbooks, online courses, tutoring, educational therapy, art and music lessons, testing fees, educational technology, college courses, and other approved educational expenses.
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Track Utah ComplianceDisclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Homeschool laws can change. Always verify current requirements with the Utah State Board of Education or consult a qualified attorney. For more information about the ESA program, see Utah Fits All. Last updated February 2026.