New Jersey vs Pennsylvania: Homeschool Laws Compared
Side-by-side comparison of homeschool regulations. See what changes if you're moving between these states.
At a Glance
| Requirement | New Jersey | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation level | No regulation | High regulation |
| Notification | Not required | Detailed plan required — superintendent of the school district of residence by August 1 annually; prior to commencing if starting mid-year |
| Testing | Not required | Required |
| Required subjects | None specified | 10 subjects |
| Instructional time | No requirement | 900 hrs/yr |
| Instructor qualification | No requirement | a high school diploma or GED |
| Recordkeeping | None required | attendance, grades, portfolio |
| Annual renewal | Not required | Required by August 1 |
Moving Between These States
Moving from New Jersey to Pennsylvania
What changes:
- +Pennsylvania requires notification (Detailed plan required — superintendent of the school district of residence by August 1 annually; prior to commencing if starting mid-year). New Jersey does not
- +Pennsylvania requires testing (Required). New Jersey does not
- +Pennsylvania requires instructor qualification (a high school diploma or GED). New Jersey does not
- +Pennsylvania requires required subjects (10 subjects). New Jersey does not
- +Pennsylvania requires instructional time (900 hrs/yr). New Jersey does not
- +Pennsylvania requires recordkeeping (attendance, grades, portfolio). New Jersey does not
Transition checklist
Before you leave New Jersey:
- ▢Withdrawal letter recommended (but not legally required) in New Jersey
- ▢Gather records: curriculum materials, work samples, test scores
When you arrive in Pennsylvania:
- ▢File notification with superintendent of the school district of residence
- ▢Prepare qualification evidence (a high school diploma or GED)
Moving from Pennsylvania to New Jersey
What changes:
- -Good news: New Jersey has no notification requirement
- -Good news: New Jersey has no testing requirement
- -Good news: New Jersey has no instructor qualification requirement
- -Good news: New Jersey has no required subjects requirement
- -Good news: New Jersey has no instructional time requirement
- -Good news: New Jersey has no recordkeeping requirement
Transition checklist
Before you leave Pennsylvania:
- ▢Submit withdrawal letter to superintendent of the school district of residence (The notarized affidavit must be filed with the superintendent before beginning homeschooling. The affidavit itself serves as official notice. Best practice is to also send a written withdrawal letter to the school. No statutory waiting period; homeschooling may begin once the affidavit is filed.)
- ▢Gather records: curriculum materials, work samples, test scores
- ▢Complete any pending assessments before you leave
When you arrive in New Jersey:
- ▢No notification required in New Jersey
Military families
Neither New Jersey nor Pennsylvania 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 New Jersey and Pennsylvania?
New Jersey and Pennsylvania 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 New Jersey to Pennsylvania?
When moving from New Jersey to Pennsylvania, you must comply with Pennsylvania'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