Free Homeschool Hours Calculator
Look up your state's homeschool requirements and calculate weekly pacing to stay compliant. Covers all 50 states + DC.
Understanding Your State's Requirements
Homeschool laws in the US fall into four general categories based on how much oversight the state requires:
No Notice / No Regulation (11 states)
States like Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa (independent option), Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, Oklahoma, and Texas require no notification to the state. Parents homeschool freely without filing paperwork. Some still suggest core subjects.
Low Regulation (15 states)
Parents must file a notification (usually one-time or annual) but face no testing or evaluation requirements. Examples: Alabama, Arizona, California (private school option), Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Moderate Regulation (20 states)
States require notification plus standardized testing, professional evaluation, or portfolio review. Examples: Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa (with assessment), Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia.
High Regulation (5 states)
The most restrictive: Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. These states require notification, detailed lesson plans or curriculum approval, regular progress reports, and standardized testing or evaluation.
What Counts as "School Time"?
For states with hour requirements, instructional time typically includes:
- Direct instruction — formal teaching of any subject (reading lessons, math problems, science explanations).
- Independent work — completing assignments, practice problems, projects.
- Reading time — for school-related reading, including independent reading from approved books.
- Educational field trips — museums, historical sites, nature centers (when tied to learning goals).
- Co-op classes — group learning sessions with other homeschool families.
- Music, art, and PE — when these subjects are part of your curriculum.
What usually doesn't count: free play, screen time unrelated to learning, household chores (unless tied to home economics curriculum), and routine daily activities.
Important: Definitions vary by state. Some states are strict ("classroom-equivalent" instruction only); others count broadly. When in doubt, check with your state's homeschool organization or your assigned official.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, but it's still a good idea. Even in low-regulation states, keeping basic records (subjects taught, hours, attendance) protects you if questions ever arise — for example, if you move to a stricter state mid-year, or your student later applies to high school or college.
Time on task is what matters. If your child works through the curriculum efficiently, document the time spent and the work covered. Many states accept this as meeting requirements as long as core subjects are taught and progress is documented.
The data is based on state homeschool laws as published by HSLDA, state Departments of Education, and homeschool advocacy organizations. However, laws can change. Always verify with your state's current requirements before relying on these numbers, especially for tight compliance situations.
Generally, follow the laws of the state where you're physically living. If you move during the school year, you'll need to comply with the new state's requirements going forward. Hours/days completed in the old state typically carry over for that school year, but verify with both states' homeschool organizations.
Yes. Some states (notably California) treat homeschools as private schools rather than as a separate category. The requirements look similar but have different forms and reporting structures. This calculator covers the most common homeschool path for each state.
Yes. WorksheetGalaxy is free to use with no signup. The legal information is provided for general guidance only — for your specific situation, please verify with your state's authority or consult with a homeschool legal professional.