Texas 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 | Texas | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation level | No regulation | Moderate regulation |
| Notification | Not required | Required — superintendent of the local school division by August 15 annually; within 30 days if moving into a new school division mid-year |
| Testing | Not required | Required (composite score in or above the fourth stanine on any nationally normed standardized achievement test) |
| Required subjects | 5 subjects | None specified |
| Instructional time | No requirement | No requirement |
| Instructor qualification | No requirement | a high school diploma or GED |
| Recordkeeping | None required | None required |
| Annual renewal | Not required | Required by August 15 |
Moving Between These States
Moving from Texas to Virginia
Grace period: As soon as practicable notice + 30 days to comply (Va. Code §22.1-254.1(C))
What changes:
- +Virginia requires notification (Required — superintendent of the local school division by August 15 annually; within 30 days if moving into a new school division mid-year). Texas does not
- +Virginia requires testing (Required (composite score in or above the fourth stanine on any nationally normed standardized achievement test)). Texas does not
- +Virginia requires instructor qualification (a high school diploma or GED). Texas does not
- -Good news: Virginia has no required subjects requirement
Transition checklist
Before you leave Texas:
- ▢No formal withdrawal required in Texas
- ▢Gather records: curriculum materials, work samples, test scores
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 Texas
Grace period: N/A — no notification required (Tex. Educ. Code §25.086(a)(1); Leeper v. Arlington ISD (1994))
What changes:
- -Good news: Texas has no notification requirement
- -Good news: Texas has no testing requirement
- -Good news: Texas has no instructor qualification requirement
- +Texas requires required subjects (5 subjects). 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 Texas:
- ▢None. Texas requires no notification, registration, or approval. Compliant as soon as bona fide instruction begins.
Filing deadline:
- ▢No filing deadline — begin teaching when ready
Military families
Neither Texas 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 Texas and Virginia?
Texas 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 Texas to Virginia?
When moving from Texas 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