Tennessee homeschool laws
Moderate regulation State Rank 44 of 56 (1 = easiest)
Confidence: High · Last verified:
Current regulations
Notification & registration Requirement exists
Notice of intent to local superintendent (LEA) before school year 'for purpose of reporting only': children, location, curriculum, hours, qualifications.
Parent / instructor qualifications Requirement exists
High school diploma or GED; parent/guardian teaches (tutors need same qualifications).
Required subjects None in scored pathway
No particular subjects required.
Testing & assessment Requirement exists
Nationally normed standardized test in ELA and math in grades 5, 7, 9, proctored by an unrelated person. HB 1729 (Pub. Ch. 912, signed May 1, 2026) lets parents choose between a parent-selected nationally normed test and the state-approved public-school test.
Records, days & reporting Requirement exists
4 hrs/day, 180 days. Attendance records open to superintendent and submitted at year end.
Oversight Requirement exists
Local superintendent (LEA).
Immunization & other requirements None in scored pathway
None stated.
Legal pathways
- Independent home school scored
- Church-related school (umbrella)
- Category III distance-learning school
Scored pathway: Independent home school. The score uses the least-burdensome parent-led pathway defined in law (see methodology).
Who to notify & where to start
Notice of intent to local superintendent (LEA) before school year 'for purpose of reporting only': children, location, curriculum, hours, qualifications.
Official agency / statute links:
Recent changes
HB 1729 / SB 2636 (2026) expanded assessment options. HSLDA also tracks SB 2636/HB 1729.
Also see Law watch.
How the score breaks down
Regulation burden 40 / 100 → freedom score 60. Bars show burden points per criterion (longer = more burdensome). HSLDA's own map tier for comparison: Low (summary dated 2026-07-17).
Data notes
- Church-related school pathway is lower burden (not scored).
Sources
Primary / official
- TN General Assembly - HB 1729 (114th GA) — Content checked
- TDOE - Home schooling in TN (linked by HSLDA; blocked to my fetch) — Linked by HSLDA; not independently fetched
Last verified . Spot an error or an update? See how to report a correction or email support@homeschoollawmap.com.
Helpful resources for Tennessee 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: Tennessee's scored pathway includes a testing or assessment 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: Tennessee has few or no mandated subjects, so curriculum is your choice.
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: Tennessee asks for notices, records, attendance, or instruction time in the scored pathway.
Partner links coming soon.
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