Tennessee Homeschool Requirements Checklist
Everything you need to do to homeschool legally in Tennessee, based on T.C.A. 49-6-3050. Tennessee is classified as Moderate regulation.
This is the general checklist for Independent Home School (Grades K-8), the most common of Tennessee's 3 pathways. Our free wizard customizes this for your family, including grade, pathway, enrollment status, and IEP.
Your compliance checklist
Do first
File your Notice of Intent
Submit to Director of schools (superintendent) of the local education agency (LEA). Deadline: Before the start of each school year, or before commencing instruction if withdrawing mid-year.
Deadline: Before the start of each school year, or before commencing instruction if withdrawing mid-year
More details
Notice must include names, ages, and grade levels of all children; parent's intent to conduct a home school; address of the home school; proposed curriculum; proposed hours of instruction; and qualifications of the parent-teacher.
Send a withdrawal letter
If your child is currently enrolled in school, send a withdrawal letter to School principal or administration, plus LEA director of schools.
Deadline: Before you start (if enrolled)
More details
Notify school in writing of intent to withdraw. Complete any district withdrawal forms. File the homeschool notice with the LEA director before or at the time of withdrawal. Failing to file notice before withdrawing can trigger truancy proceedings. Retain a copy with date stamp or certified mail receipt.
Confirm your qualification
This pathway requires a high school diploma or GED. Alternatives: GED / high school equivalency credential approved by the state board of education; Affiliate with a church-related umbrella school (Pathway 3) if parent lacks diploma/GED.
Deadline: Before you start
More details
Parent-teacher must hold a high school diploma or GED. This requirement applies to all independent home school parent-teachers, K-8 and 9-12. Qualification must be reported to the LEA director with annual notice. A tutor with equivalent qualifications may substitute during parent illness.
Ongoing
Required subjects
reading / language arts, mathematics, social studies, science
More details
Instruction must be provided in the English language. General curriculum descriptions are sufficient for K-8.
Meet instructional time requirements
Minimum: 180 days/year, 4 hours/day. You must track and document hours.
More details
Same minimums as public schools under T.C.A. 49-6-3004. Attendance records documenting 180 days and 4 hours/day should be maintained.
Show your child's progress
Standardized test — at specific grade levels. At grades: 5, 7, 9.
More details
State-approved standardized tests required in grades 5, 7, and 9. The commissioner provides free testing at public schools, or parents may use an LEA-approved professional testing service (within 30 days of state testing, parent-paid). Intervention thresholds: 3-6 months behind triggers consultation; 6-9 months behind requires a remedial plan with licensed teacher; 1+ year behind on consecutive tests may require enrollment in public/private/church school.
Keep basic records
You must maintain: attendance records. Records may be reviewed by the district.
More details
Maintain attendance records, immunization records or valid exemptions (T.C.A. 49-6-5001), standardized test results for tested grades, and copies of annual notices filed with the LEA.
Renew each year
You must renew your homeschool notice each year by Before the start of each school year.
More details
Annual notice to LEA director of schools. Test results submitted after testing in grades 5, 7, and 9. Attendance records available upon request.
Good news
Education savings: Tennessee Education Savings Account (ESA) Pilot Program
Tennessee Education Savings Account (ESA) Pilot Program: ~$9,346/student for 2025-2026 (varies by district) — Limited to students zoned to attend Memphis-Shelby County Schools, Metro Nashville Public Schools, or Hamilton County Schools who meet income requirements (family income at or below 200% of the income threshold for federal free lunch) or attend low-performing schools or Achievement School District schools
More details
Enacted 2019. Eligible districts: Shelby County (Memphis), Metro Nashville-Davidson County, and Hamilton County (Chattanooga, added 2023). Income-gated (200% FRL). NOT available statewide. Covers private school tuition and education expenses but NOT independent homeschool expenses (homeschool families may use through umbrella schools).
Filing requirements
- What to file
- simple notice
- Send to
- Director of schools (superintendent) of the local education agency (LEA)
- Deadline
- Before the start of each school year, or before commencing instruction if withdrawing mid-year
- How often
- annual
Notice must include names, ages, and grade levels of all children; parent's intent to conduct a home school; address of the home school; proposed curriculum; proposed hours of instruction; and qualifications of the parent-teacher.
T.C.A. 49-6-3050(b)(1)
Ongoing requirements
Required subjects
- ✓reading / language arts
- ✓mathematics
- ✓social studies
- ✓science
Instruction must be provided in the English language. General curriculum descriptions are sufficient for K-8.
Instructional time
- Days per year:
- 180
- Hours per day:
- 4
Same minimums as public schools under T.C.A. 49-6-3004. Attendance records documenting 180 days and 4 hours/day should be maintained.
T.C.A. 49-6-3050(b)(3); T.C.A. 49-6-3004
Testing and assessment
- Accepted types
- Standardized test
- Frequency
- at specific grade levels
- At grades
- 5, 7, 9
State-approved standardized tests required in grades 5, 7, and 9. The commissioner provides free testing at public schools, or parents may use an LEA-approved professional testing service (within 30 days of state testing, parent-paid). Intervention thresholds: 3-6 months behind triggers consultation; 6-9 months behind requires a remedial plan with licensed teacher; 1+ year behind on consecutive tests may require enrollment in public/private/church school.
See our full assessment guide for Tennessee for details.
T.C.A. 49-6-3050(b)(5)
Recordkeeping
- ✓Attendance records
Records may be reviewed by the district.
Maintain attendance records, immunization records or valid exemptions (T.C.A. 49-6-5001), standardized test results for tested grades, and copies of annual notices filed with the LEA.
T.C.A. 49-6-3050(b)(2)
Reporting
- Annual renewal
- Required by Before the start of each school year
Annual notice to LEA director of schools. Test results submitted after testing in grades 5, 7, and 9. Attendance records available upon request.
Instructor qualifications
The instructor must have a high school diploma or GED.
Alternatives: GED / high school equivalency credential approved by the state board of education; Affiliate with a church-related umbrella school (Pathway 3) if parent lacks diploma/GED
Parent-teacher must hold a high school diploma or GED. This requirement applies to all independent home school parent-teachers, K-8 and 9-12. Qualification must be reported to the LEA director with annual notice. A tutor with equivalent qualifications may substitute during parent illness.
T.C.A. 49-6-3050(b)(4)
What you don't need to worry about
Education savings: Tennessee Education Savings Account (ESA) Pilot Program
Tennessee Education Savings Account (ESA) Pilot Program: ~$9,346/student for 2025-2026 (varies by district) — Limited to students zoned to attend Memphis-Shelby County Schools, Metro Nashville Public Schools, or Hamilton County Schools who meet income requirements (family income at or below 200% of the income threshold for federal free lunch) or attend low-performing schools or Achievement School District schools
Other ways to homeschool in Tennessee
This checklist covers Independent Home School (Grades K-8), the most common pathway. Tennessee offers 3 different ways to homeschool, each with different requirements:
- •Independent Home School (Grades K-8)(this checklist) : You notify your local school district superintendent annually, teach four core subjects for 180 days at 4 hours per day, and administer standardized testing in grades 5, 7, and 9. The parent-teacher must hold a high school diploma or GED. This is the most common pathway for elementary and middle school families.
- •Independent Home School (Grades 9-12) : You notify your local superintendent annually with a proposed curriculum listing specific course names and whether a college preparatory or general course of study will be taught. The parent-teacher must hold at least a high school diploma or GED. You teach 180 days at 4 hours per day. Testing is required only in grade 9. Best for high school families where the parent has a diploma or GED.
- •Church-Related School (Umbrella School) : You enroll with a church-related umbrella school (defined in T.C.A. 49-50-801), which handles notification and reporting to the local superintendent on your behalf. The state does not impose specific subject, testing, or instructor credential requirements — those are set by the umbrella school. This is the best option for families where the parent lacks a high school diploma or GED.
Our wizard helps you choose the right one. Compare all pathways for Tennessee
Education savings available
Tennessee offers Tennessee Education Savings Account (ESA) Pilot Program. Learn about ESA programs
Related guides
Get your personalized checklist
This is the general checklist for the most common pathway. The wizard customizes it for your family's specific situation, including grade, pathway, and IEP status.
Get your Tennessee checklistRequirements sourced from T.C.A. 49-6-3050. Verified against primary legal sources. Last verified: March 2026