Florida asks for very little. Florida is a light-touch state. There is something to file, and it is short. Below is exactly what, by when, and where it comes from in the code.

What you file, and by when

File a written, signed notice of intent to establish and maintain a home education program with the district school superintendent of the county of residence within 30 days of establishing the program. It must include the full legal names, addresses, and birthdates of all children in the program. A written notice of termination must be filed within 30 days of ending the program. No annual re-filing of the notice of intent is required - the annual evaluation serves as the recurring filing.

Days or hours

None. Florida sets no minimum instructional days or hours for home education programs.

Subjects you must cover

None. Florida mandates no subjects or curriculum for home education programs.

Records you keep

Maintain a portfolio consisting of (1) a log of educational activities made contemporaneously with the instruction, designating by title any reading materials used, and (2) samples of any writings, worksheets, workbooks, or creative materials used or developed by the student. The parent determines the content and must preserve the portfolio for 2 years. The portfolio must be made available to the superintendent upon 15 days' written notice.

Testing or evaluation

An annual educational evaluation documenting progress commensurate with the student's ability, filed with the district superintendent's office (due on the anniversary of the notice of intent). Parent selects among five methods: (a) a Florida-certified teacher evaluates the portfolio and interviews the student; (b) a nationally normed student achievement test administered by a certified teacher; (c) a state student assessment test administered at a local public school; (d) evaluation by a licensed psychologist or a school psychologist certified by the state; or (e) any other valid measurement tool mutually agreed upon by the parent and the superintendent. If progress is not demonstrated, the program goes on probation for one year with a remediation plan.

Diplomas and transcripts

Florida issues no diploma or credits; the parent issues the diploma and transcript. Florida expressly recognizes home education completion for Bright Futures Scholarships (Fla. Stat. 1009.53 et seq.) - homeschool applicants must have been registered as a home education student with the district during grades 11 and 12, submit a parent-prepared transcript documenting the required academic units and volunteer/work hours, and meet the SAT/ACT score thresholds; keep the transcript detailed and credit-bearing. Home education students are also eligible for dual enrollment at state colleges under a home education articulation agreement. Note: a student funded through the Personalized Education Program (PEP) under the Family Empowerment Scholarship (Fla. Stat. 1002.394, created by 2023 HB 1) is NOT a home education program student under 1002.41 and follows PEP's separate rules and reporting - the two are distinct legal statuses and must not be conflated.

Where this comes from

Statute: Fla. Stat. 1002.41 (home education programs); Fla. Stat. 1003.21 (compulsory attendance, ages 6-16); Fla. Stat. 1002.394 (Family Empowerment Scholarship / PEP)

Source: https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/1002.41

Last reviewed: July 2026 · our confidence in this entry: high

Homeschool law changes, and a page like this goes stale without announcing it. Check the statute above against your own reading before a filing deadline. If we are out of date, we would rather hear it from you than have you find out at the district office.

Keeping the records is the other half of this. Our Records System has the editable transcript with the GPA already wired, 131 course descriptions, and this same statute-cited summary for all fifty states and DC. Thirty-nine dollars, one household, however many children you have.