New York 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 York | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation level | High regulation | High regulation |
| Notification | Detailed plan required — superintendent of the local school district By July 1 annually, or within 14 days of commencing home instruction mid-year | Detailed plan required — superintendent of the school district of residence by August 1 annually; prior to commencing if starting mid-year |
| Testing | Required (Composite score above the 33rd percentile on national norms, OR one academic year of growth compared to a prior year's test) | Required |
| Required subjects | 12 subjects | 10 subjects |
| Instructional time | 900 hrs/yr | 900 hrs/yr |
| Instructor qualification | No requirement | a high school diploma or GED |
| Recordkeeping | attendance, grades | attendance, grades, portfolio |
| Annual renewal | Required by July 1 annually (LOI and subsequently IHIP) | Required by August 1 |
Moving Between These States
Moving from New York to Pennsylvania
What changes:
- ~Notification: New York (Detailed plan required — superintendent of the local school district By July 1 annually, or within 14 days of commencing home instruction mid-year) → Pennsylvania (Detailed plan required — superintendent of the school district of residence by August 1 annually; prior to commencing if starting mid-year)
- +Pennsylvania requires instructor qualification (a high school diploma or GED). New York does not
- ~Required subjects: New York (12 subjects) → Pennsylvania (10 subjects)
- ~Recordkeeping: New York (attendance, grades) → Pennsylvania (attendance, grades, portfolio)
Transition checklist
Before you leave New York:
- ▢No formal withdrawal required in New York
- ▢Gather records: curriculum materials, work samples, test scores
- ▢Complete any pending assessments before you leave
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 York
Grace period: 14 days from commencing home instruction in the district (8 NYCRR §100.10)
What changes:
- ~Notification: Pennsylvania (Detailed plan required — superintendent of the school district of residence by August 1 annually; prior to commencing if starting mid-year) → New York (Detailed plan required — superintendent of the local school district By July 1 annually, or within 14 days of commencing home instruction mid-year)
- -Good news: New York has no instructor qualification requirement
- ~Required subjects: Pennsylvania (10 subjects) → New York (12 subjects)
- ~Recordkeeping: Pennsylvania (attendance, grades, portfolio) → New York (attendance, grades)
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 York:
- ▢File Letter of Intent with local superintendent within 14 days of commencing instruction. Submit IHIP within 4 weeks of receiving the form from the district.
Within 14 days of starting:
- ▢File within 14 days of starting (8 NYCRR §100.10)
- ▢District has 10 business days to respond with IHIP form. Complete IHIP due within 4 weeks of receiving form.
Military families
Neither New York 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 York and Pennsylvania?
New York 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 York to Pennsylvania?
When moving from New York 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