Maryland vs Virginia: Homeschool Laws Compared
Side-by-side comparison of homeschool regulations. See what changes if you're moving between these states.
At a Glance
| Requirement | Maryland | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation level | Moderate regulation | Moderate regulation |
| Notification | Required — local school superintendent or designated office at least 15 days before the start of home instruction | Required — superintendent of the local school division by August 15 annually; within 30 days if moving into a new school division mid-year |
| Testing | Required | Required (composite score in or above the fourth stanine on any nationally normed standardized achievement test) |
| Required subjects | 8 subjects | None specified |
| Instructional time | No requirement | No requirement |
| Instructor qualification | No requirement | a high school diploma or GED |
| Recordkeeping | portfolio | None required |
| Annual renewal | Not required | Required by August 15 |
Moving Between These States
Moving from Maryland to Virginia
Grace period: As soon as practicable notice + 30 days to comply (Va. Code §22.1-254.1(C))
What changes:
- ~Notification: Maryland (Required — local school superintendent or designated office at least 15 days before the start of home instruction) → Virginia (Required — superintendent of the local school division by August 15 annually; within 30 days if moving into a new school division mid-year)
- +Virginia requires instructor qualification (a high school diploma or GED). Maryland does not
- -Good news: Virginia has no required subjects requirement
- -Good news: Virginia has no recordkeeping requirement
Transition checklist
Before you leave Maryland:
- ▢Withdrawal letter recommended (but not legally required) in Maryland
- ▢Gather records: curriculum materials, work samples, test scores
- ▢Complete any pending assessments before you leave
When you arrive in Virginia:
- ▢Notify superintendent 'as soon as practicable' after moving in. Comply fully within 30 days of notice. Include curriculum description and qualification evidence.
- ▢Prepare qualification evidence (a high school diploma or GED)
Within 30 days of starting:
- ▢File within 30 days of starting (Va. Code §22.1-254.1(C))
- ▢Children under age 6 as of September 30 are exempt from the annual assessment requirement. Standard (existing families) deadline is August 15.
Moving from Virginia to Maryland
What changes:
- ~Notification: Virginia (Required — superintendent of the local school division by August 15 annually; within 30 days if moving into a new school division mid-year) → Maryland (Required — local school superintendent or designated office at least 15 days before the start of home instruction)
- -Good news: Maryland has no instructor qualification requirement
- +Maryland requires required subjects (8 subjects). Virginia does not
- +Maryland requires recordkeeping (portfolio). Virginia does not
Transition checklist
Before you leave Virginia:
- ▢No formal withdrawal required in Virginia
- ▢Gather records: curriculum materials, work samples, test scores
- ▢Complete any pending assessments before you leave
When you arrive in Maryland:
- ▢File notification with local school superintendent or designated office
Military families
Neither Maryland nor Virginia has military-specific homeschool provisions. MIC3 (Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children) does not apply to homeschoolers — it covers public schools only. Your School Liaison Officer can help with the transition.
Planning a move?
Enter your move date to get a timeline with specific deadlines.
Common questions
What are the differences between homeschooling in Maryland and Virginia?
Maryland and Virginia have different homeschool regulations covering notification requirements, testing, required subjects, instructor qualifications, and recordkeeping. See the comparison table above for the exact differences.
What do I need to do to move my homeschool from Maryland to Virginia?
When moving from Maryland to Virginia, you must comply with Virginia's homeschool laws from scratch. See the transition checklist above for step-by-step guidance.
Data sourced from state statutes and administrative codes. Comparison based on default homeschool pathway for each state. This is compliance guidance, not legal advice. Terms · How we verify