Teacher qualification rule
The parent or tutor must have at least a high school diploma or GED.
GA
Medium regulationCan you homeschool without a degree in Georgia?
Many parents worry they are not “qualified enough” to homeschool. The legal question is simpler: what does Georgia actually require of the parent or teacher?
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.
Legal status
Homeschooling is legal in Georgia under the home study program law.
Curriculum freedom
Families have solid day-to-day flexibility, but they must cover the required subjects and meet the state’s time, recordkeeping, and testing rules.
What still matters if no degree is required
- 1Check Georgia's notice rule: Yes. Parents file a Declaration of Intent to operate a home study program.
- 2Calendar the deadline: Within 30 days of starting a home study program and then annually by September 1.
- 3Build around required subjects: Reading, Language arts, Mathematics, Social studies, Science
- 4Keep records that match the state summary: Keep monthly attendance records, write a yearly progress report for each student, and retain those records for at least three years.
- 5Plan for testing or evaluation if required: Yes. Students must take a nationally standardized test at regular intervals.
- 6Use official source links before making a filing or deadline decision.
Related homeschool guides for Georgia
These internal links connect curriculum, schedule, special-needs, testing, and state-law pages so parents can move from a search question to the legal checklist without starting over.
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
Do I need a teaching degree to homeschool in Georgia?
The parent or tutor must have at least a high school diploma or GED.
Do I need curriculum approval in Georgia?
Families have solid day-to-day flexibility, but they must cover the required subjects and meet the state’s time, recordkeeping, and testing rules.
What should I do first?
Yes. Parents file a Declaration of Intent to operate a home study program.
Start with the Georgia legal checklist
This guide is useful only if it sits on top of the actual Georgia homeschool requirements. Review the state law hub before buying curriculum, changing schools, or setting deadlines.
Georgia homeschool requirementsSources for Georgia
- https://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Pages/Home-Schools.aspx
- https://rules.sos.ga.gov/gac/160-5-1-.28
- https://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Pages/Home-Study-Program-Declaration-of-Intent.aspx
- https://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Documents/Home%20Study%20Program/HomeStudyDOI.pdf
- HSLDA state law summary
Last verified: 2026-04-20. Last updated: 2026-04-20.