Homeschool Law Map
General information only — not legal advice. Laws change; confirm with your state or territory education agency or an attorney.

Pennsylvania homeschool laws

High regulation State Rank 56 of 56 (1 = easiest)

Confidence: High · Last verified:

21.3
Freedom score / 100
This is general information, not legal advice. Requirements shown are for the scored pathway: Homeschool statute. Other pathways may have different rules.

Current regulations

Notification & registration Requirement exists

Notarized affidavit (or unsworn declaration) to the local superintendent before starting and by Aug 1 each year (24 P.S. 13-1327.1; PDE BEC), with an outline of education objectives by subject, evidence of required immunizations and health services (or exemptions), and certification about criminal offenses and English-language instruction. District approval is not required once the paperwork is filed (22 Pa. Code 11.31a).

Parent / instructor qualifications Requirement exists

High school diploma or equivalent for supervisor.

Required subjects Requirement exists

Detailed lists: elementary (English, arithmetic, civics, history, health, PE, music, art, geography, science, safety) and secondary (English incl. literature/speech/composition; math; social studies; etc.); 4 years English, 3 math/science/social studies, 2 arts/humanities for graduation.

Testing & assessment Requirement exists

Portfolio (log, work samples, standardized test results in grades 3, 5, 8 by approved tests not administered by parent) reviewed annually by licensed psychologist/certified teacher/nonpublic school teacher; certification to superintendent by June 30. Superintendent may require evaluation any time on reasonable belief.

Records, days & reporting Requirement exists

180 days or 900 hours (elementary) / 990 hours (secondary). Portfolio retained.

Oversight Requirement exists

Local superintendent (affidavit, evaluator's written evaluation due by June 30). A superintendent with a reasonable belief that appropriate education may not be occurring can require an evaluation at any time by certified letter (PDE guide); failure to submit the evaluation can lead to a hearing with consequences up to loss of homeschooling rights for up to a year (PDE BEC).

Immunization & other requirements Requirement exists

Immunization or exemption evidence, health services evidence, criminal-offense certification for adults in the home.

Legal pathways

Scored pathway: Homeschool statute. The score uses the least-burdensome parent-led pathway defined in law (see methodology).

Who to notify & where to start

Notarized affidavit (or unsworn declaration) to the local superintendent before starting and by Aug 1 each year (24 P.S. 13-1327.1; PDE BEC), with an outline of education objectives by subject, evidence of required immunizations and health services (or exemptions), and certification about criminal offenses and English-language instruction. District approval is not required once the paperwork is filed (22 Pa. Code 11.31a).

Official agency / statute links:

Recent changes

PDE's Home Education Program BEC shows a review date of Aug 10, 2026. Since 2023-24 districts must allow home-educated students to take part in co-curricular activities, academic courses and CTE (24 P.S. 13-1327.1(f.2)).

Also see Law watch.

How the score breaks down

Notification, registration & approval 15 / 20
Parent/instructor qualifications 2.5 / 10
Required subjects & curriculum mandates 10 / 10
Testing, assessment & evaluation 25 / 25
Records, reporting & official oversight 11.3 / 15
Mandated instruction time 7.5 / 10
Other burdens (immunization paperwork, ID docs, background checks, local discretion) 7.5 / 10

Regulation burden 78.8 / 100 → freedom score 21.3. Bars show burden points per criterion (longer = more burdensome). HSLDA's own map tier for comparison: High (summary dated 2025-07-01).

Sources

Primary / official

Secondary

Last verified . Spot an error or an update? See how to report a correction or email support@homeschoollawmap.com.

Helpful resources for Pennsylvania families

Types of services families in this jurisdiction commonly look for, based on the requirements above. These are categories, not endorsements.

Standardized testing services

Nationally normed achievement tests that families can order for home administration or take at a testing site.

Why shown: Pennsylvania's scored pathway includes a testing or assessment requirement.

Partner links coming soon.

Portfolio and evaluation services

Certified teachers or evaluators who review a student portfolio or write an annual progress evaluation.

Why shown: Pennsylvania's scored pathway lists a portfolio, evaluation, or similar review as an option or requirement.

Partner links coming soon.

Curriculum and course providers

Complete curricula, single-subject courses, and online programs, including options organized around required subjects.

Why shown: Pennsylvania lists required subjects or curriculum expectations.

Partner links coming soon.

Record-keeping and planning tools

Attendance logs, lesson planners, transcript and portfolio organizers for keeping the records your jurisdiction may ask for.

Why shown: Pennsylvania asks for notices, records, attendance, or instruction time in the scored pathway.

Partner links coming soon.

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