Is testing required?
No statewide testing is required for families homeschooling independently through the private school or private tutor routes.
CA
Medium regulationCalifornia homeschool testing requirements
Testing rules vary dramatically by state. This page gives parents the current California testing/evaluation summary, frequency, and practical next steps without burying the answer in legal language.
Plain-English note: this is a parent guide, not legal advice. Use the official source links at the bottom of the page before a deadline or filing decision.
How often?
Not required for independent homeschooling.
Recordkeeping connection
For the private school affidavit route, keep attendance records, course information, and the basic records required of private schools. Many families also keep work samples and transcripts.
Notification connection
Yes, in most common homeschool setups. Families using the home-based private school route file a Private School Affidavit each year, while other legal options have different paperwork. Deadline: For the private school affidavit route, file annually between October 1 and October 15. If starting later, families should review the current CDE instructions for late filing.
Practical testing file
- 1Name of test, evaluator, or portfolio reviewer if used.
- 2Date completed and school year covered.
- 3Score report, evaluator letter, portfolio receipt, or parent summary.
- 4Copy of anything submitted to a district, umbrella school, or state office.
Free printables
Download the homeschool starter kit
Print these before you start: a state startup checklist, letter-of-intent template, attendance tracker, and high-school transcript template.
New homeschool families
State homeschool startup checklist
A printable first-week checklist for choosing your pathway, handling notices or withdrawal, tracking deadlines, and setting up records.
Download PDF →
Notice or withdrawal paperwork
Homeschool letter of intent template
A parent-safe fill-in notice/withdrawal template with reminders to use official state forms when required.
Download PDF →
Recordkeeping
Homeschool attendance tracker
A simple school-year tracker for days, hours, holidays, field trips, and notes you can keep with your records.
Download PDF →
High school planning
Homeschool transcript template
A fill-in high-school transcript starter with course records, credit summary, and parent certification lines.
Download PDF →
These printables are general planning tools, not legal advice. Always verify the current rule on your state page and official source links before filing deadlines.
Frequently asked questions
Does California require standardized testing for homeschoolers?
No statewide testing is required for families homeschooling independently through the private school or private tutor routes.
How often do California homeschoolers test or evaluate?
Not required for independent homeschooling.
Where should I store results?
Keep testing or evaluation records with your California homeschool records, even if the state does not require submission every year.
See testing in context
Testing is only one compliance field. Review the complete California requirement hub before your school year starts.
California homeschool requirementsSources for California
- https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ps/homeschool.asp
- https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=33190.&lawCode=EDC
- https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=48222.&lawCode=EDC
- https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=51745.&lawCode=EDC
- https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ps/affidavit.asp
- HSLDA state law summary
Last verified: 2026-04-20. Last updated: 2026-04-20.