Homeschooling in Utah? Here’s your plan.
low requirements- No standardized testing required
- No required subjects
- Education savings available: $8,000/year (private school); $6,000/year (home-based, ages 12-18); $4,000/year (home-based, ages 5-11). Age determined as of September 1. Distributed in two equal payments by July 31 and December 31. Mid-year awards prorated by quarter./student through Utah Fits All Scholarship
Utah is one of the easiest states in the country to homeschool. Under Utah Code 53G-6-201 et seq., as amended by HB 209 (effective May 7, 2025), the old affidavit and criminal background check requirements are gone. You file a one-time notice of intent with your local school board, and you are done — no annual renewal, no testing, no curriculum approval, and no reporting. If you previously filed an affidavit, you do not need to refile.
Every requirement on this page is sourced directly from Utah state law. See how we verify.
Homeschooling is legal in Utah. Utah is a low-regulation state. To homeschool, you need to submit a simple notice to local school board (board of education of the school district where the child resides) before the child begins home schooling. Utah does not mandate specific subjects, requires no testing, and has no specific time requirements. Children ages 6–18 are subject to compulsory education.
Source: Utah Code 53G-6-201 et seq.. Verified March 2026.
- Regulation level
- Low
- Compulsory ages
- 6–18
- Notification required
- Yes — simple notice to local school board (board of education of the school district where the child resides) before the child begins home schooling
- Assessment required
- No
- Required subjects
- None mandated
- Primary statute
- Utah Code 53G-6-201 et seq.
The essentials
- 1Send a simple notice to local school board (board of education of the school district where the child resides) before the child begins home schooling
What to know about homeschooling in Utah
Utah takes a hands-off approach to homeschooling. Under Utah Code 53G-6-204, you file a simple notice of intent with the school board in your district. It is a notification, not a request — the board does not approve or deny it. Once filed, there is no follow-up. You choose what to teach, when to teach it, and how to assess your child's progress. There are no required subjects, no minimum instructional hours, and no state testing.
What makes Utah especially welcoming is the combination of low regulation and strong access. Homeschooled students have a statutory right to enroll part-time in public school courses under Utah Code 53G-6-702. They can also participate in extracurricular activities at their resident public school, and districts cannot impose additional requirements beyond what fully enrolled students face. This means your child can play on the school soccer team, take a lab science class, or join the band — all while homeschooling.
Utah also stands out for its financial support. The Utah Fits All Scholarship provides up to $8,000 per student for curriculum, tutoring, educational technology, testing fees, and more, with priority for lower-income families and students with disabilities. For children with qualifying disabilities, the Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship covers tuition, curriculum, and therapeutic services like speech, occupational therapy, and ABA.
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Start Your Utah Plan →How we know this is right
Each sourced from Utah Code 53G-6-201 et seq. and backed by 13 linked sources.
13
sources linked
Cross-referenced against 3 independent sources including the state DOE and HSLDA.
Kept current
Last verified March 2026. State DOE pages monitored for changes.
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How homeschooling works in Utah
Home School Exemption
Utah Code 53G-6-201 et seq.
Notification
simple notice to local school board (board of education of the school district where the child resides) before the child begins home schooling
Required subjects
No specific subjects required
Testing / assessment
None required
Instructional time
No specific requirements
Verified against Utah Code 53G-6-201 et seq., March 2026 · 22 individual claims tracked
Forms and filings
Home School Exemption Notice of Intent
Issued by: local school board (board of education of the school district where the child resides)
When due: before the child begins home schooling
Utah-specific tips
Practical guidanceFile your one-time notice and you are set. Under HB 209 (2025), a single notice of intent to your local school board is all that is required. No annual renewal, no curriculum submission, no background check.
Explore the Utah Fits All Scholarship. This ESA provides up to $8,000 per student for approved educational expenses including curriculum, tutoring, and technology. Apply through utaheducationfitsall.org. Note that accepting ESA funds may add assessment and expense-documentation requirements that do not apply to other homeschoolers.
Use your dual enrollment rights. Utah Code 53G-6-702 gives your child the right to enroll part-time in public school courses at no cost. This is a statutory right, not a favor from your district.
Access extracurriculars without limitations. Homeschoolers may participate in sports and activities at their local public school under the same rules as full-time students. Districts cannot add extra requirements for homeschooled participants.
Look into the Carson Smith Scholarship for special needs. If your child has a documented IDEA disability with an IEP, ATMR, or MDT form, this scholarship covers therapies, curriculum, and educational expenses. Contact Children First Education Fund to apply.
Build your own transcripts for college. Utah does not issue a state homeschool diploma. Parent-issued diplomas and parent-created transcripts are recognized by Utah public universities, but plan ahead with course documentation for high school years.
Education savings / school choice programs
Utah Fits All Scholarship
$8,000/year (private school); $6,000/year (home-based, ages 12-18); $4,000/year (home-based, ages 5-11). Age determined as of September 1. Distributed in two equal payments by July 31 and December 31. Mid-year awards prorated by quarter.: Utah K-12 students under age 19 as of September 1 of the scholarship year. Must verify primary residence in Utah with current-year documentation (utility bill, mortgage statement, lease, or property tax records). Cannot simultaneously receive a Carson Smith Scholarship.
State-funded ESA for non-public education, signed 2023, amended by HB 455 (2025) and HB 467 (2026). Eligible expenses include curriculum, textbooks, tutoring, educational technology, private school tuition, testing fees, and educational therapies. Extracurricular activities capped at 20% of scholarship amount; physical education capped at an additional 20%. Arts and music are not classified as extracurricular. Excluded expenses: season tickets, ski passes, furniture, apparel, musical instruments (purchase), playground equipment. One chaperone expense per family. To maintain eligibility, students must submit a portfolio or standardized assessment results by May 31 each year. Application timeline: returning students open March 1, new applicants April 1, deadline May 1, acceptance by July 1. Multi-child households: applications processed as a unit; if funds are insufficient for all children, the family may accept partial awards or remain on the waitlist. ESA requirements (portfolio, expense documentation) do not apply to non-ESA homeschoolers.
Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship
K-12: weighted pupil unit x 2.5 (no income tiers); Preschool full-time: value of weighted pupil unit; Preschool part-time: weighted pupil unit x 0.55. No income-based eligibility tiers.: Students with qualifying disabilities under IDEA (20 USC 1401(3)), documented by an IEP within the previous 3 years or a multidisciplinary team evaluation. Must be a primary resident of Utah with verification (utility bill, lease, property tax records, or income tax records). Each child must independently qualify; no sibling pass-through. Cannot simultaneously receive Utah Fits All or legacy Carson Smith Scholarship. Preschoolers who are homeschooled are not eligible.
Provides scholarship funding for private school or home school instruction costs. Covers tuition, educational therapies, curriculum, tutoring, and other approved expenses. Expense definitions aligned with Utah Fits All program (extracurricular/PE capped at 20%). Parents cannot be paid as service providers for their own child. Funded through tax-credit donations and legislative appropriations. Administered by scholarship granting organizations. Participation adds requirements beyond the basic notice of intent. Amended by SB 54 (2026), effective May 6, 2026.
Explore Utah homeschool guides
How to Start
Step-by-step guide to getting started in Utah
Compliance Checklist
Every requirement in one checklist
Documents & Templates
Forms, letters, and what to file
Deadlines & Calendar
Filing dates and assessment deadlines
Assessment Requirements
Testing rules and what scores mean
High School
Transcripts, diplomas, and college prep
Special Needs
IEP services, therapy access, and rights
Compare with Another State
Side-by-side law comparison for relocating families
Frequently asked questions
How do I start homeschooling in Utah?
To begin homeschooling in Utah, you need to file a simple notice with local school board (board of education of the school district where the child resides) before the child begins home schooling. Compulsory education applies to ages 6 through 18. The legal basis is Utah Code 53G-6-201 et seq..
Do I need to notify anyone to homeschool in Utah?
Yes. Utah requires a simple notice submitted to local school board (board of education of the school district where the child resides). The deadline is before the child begins home schooling.
Is testing required for homeschoolers in Utah?
No. Utah does not require standardized testing or assessments for homeschooled students.
What subjects are required for homeschooling in Utah?
Utah does not mandate specific subjects for homeschoolers. Utah does not specify required subjects for home schools. The parent has complete discretion over the curriculum. No curriculum review or approval process exists. No requirement to follow state standards or use state-approved materials.
Are there education savings programs for homeschoolers in Utah?
Utah Fits All Scholarship: $8,000/year (private school); $6,000/year (home-based, ages 12-18); $4,000/year (home-based, ages 5-11). Age determined as of September 1. Distributed in two equal payments by July 31 and December 31. Mid-year awards prorated by quarter. for Utah K-12 students under age 19 as of September 1 of the scholarship year. Must verify primary residence in Utah with current-year documentation (utility bill, mortgage statement, lease, or property tax records). Cannot simultaneously receive a Carson Smith Scholarship.. Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship: K-12: weighted pupil unit x 2.5 (no income tiers); Preschool full-time: value of weighted pupil unit; Preschool part-time: weighted pupil unit x 0.55. No income-based eligibility tiers. for Students with qualifying disabilities under IDEA (20 USC 1401(3)), documented by an IEP within the previous 3 years or a multidisciplinary team evaluation. Must be a primary resident of Utah with verification (utility bill, lease, property tax records, or income tax records). Each child must independently qualify; no sibling pass-through. Cannot simultaneously receive Utah Fits All or legacy Carson Smith Scholarship. Preschoolers who are homeschooled are not eligible..
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Verified against state statute, March 2026 · What changed · How we verify