Homeschooling in Ohio: Laws & Requirements (2026)

Ohio underwent a fundamental transformation in homeschool regulation in October 2023. House Bill 33 eliminated annual assessments, minimum hour requirements, and teacher qualifications—leaving annual notification as essentially the only remaining requirement. If you're researching Ohio homeschool laws and finding information about mandatory testing or 900-hour minimums, that information is outdated.

The current framework is remarkably simple: file notification by August 30 each year (or within 5 days of starting), assure that you'll teach six required subjects, and you're legal. No approval, no assessment, no curriculum submission.

Ohio also offers genuine financial support for families with special needs students. The Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship provides substantial funding—up to $32,000+ for qualifying categories—that homeschool families can use for therapies and specialized services. Separately, homeschoolers can participate in public school extracurricular activities by law. This guide covers what Ohio requires now and how to navigate its surprisingly homeschool-friendly landscape.

Ohio Homeschool Requirements at a Glance

What Changed with HB33 (October 2023)

House Bill 33 fundamentally restructured Ohio homeschool law, moving home education from administrative code to statutory law under Ohio Revised Code Section 3321.042^[6]. The changes were substantial:

What was ELIMINATED[^6]: - Annual assessment requirements (testing or portfolio review) - Teacher qualifications (previously required high school diploma/GED) - Minimum hour requirements (previously 900 hours annually) - Curriculum outline submission to district - Detailed record-keeping mandates

What REMAINS[^3]: - Annual notification to your local school superintendent - Instruction in 6 required subject areas - Compulsory attendance ages 6-18

Why this matters: If you're finding information online about Ohio's assessment requirements, 900-hour minimums, or diploma requirements for teaching parents—that information is outdated. The October 2023 changes made Ohio one of the least regulated homeschool states in the country^[2].

What to expect: School districts may still have staff unaware of the law changes. If your district requests information beyond what's legally required (like assessment results or curriculum outlines), politely decline and reference O.R.C. 3321.042^[4].

How to Start Homeschooling in Ohio

Notification Requirements

Ohio's notification is the simplest it's ever been^[6]. Here's exactly what's required—and what's not.

Required information[^3]: - Parent's name and address - Child's name - Assurance that your child will receive education in the required subjects (English language arts, mathematics, science, history, government, social studies)

Timing[^3]: - August 30: Annual deadline for returning homeschoolers - Within 5 days: When starting homeschool, moving to a new district, or withdrawing from school

What you do NOT submit[^2]: - Birth certificate copies - Diplomas or marriage licenses - Curriculum information or outlines - Assurances of instructional hours - Children's birthdates - Assessment results - Teaching credentials

Superintendent response: The superintendent must acknowledge receipt within 14 calendar days^[3]. This acknowledgment is just a receipt—not an approval. Your exemption takes effect immediately upon their receipt of notification.

Practical tip: If your district requests anything beyond the legally required information, do not comply^[4]. Providing extra details creates expectations for future homeschoolers and may invite additional oversight.

Two Options for Homeschooling in Ohio

Ohio law provides two pathways to legal homeschooling^[2]. Most families choose Option 1.

Option 1 — Home Education under O.R.C. Section 3321.042[^3]: The simplified pathway created by HB33. File annual notification, teach six subjects, and you're done. No teacher qualifications, no minimum hours, no assessments. This is what most people mean when they discuss "Ohio homeschooling."

Option 2 — Nonchartered Nonpublic School[^1]: Operate as a formal school under Ohio's private school laws. Requirements are significantly higher: - Teacher must hold a bachelor's degree - Annual hours: 455 (part-time K), 910 (full-day K-6), 1,001 (grades 7-12) - Expanded required curriculum including health, PE, fine arts - File "Report to Parents" with state by September 30 - Report attendance to local school board treasurer within first two weeks

When to consider Option 2: Some families choose the nonchartered nonpublic school route for specific reasons—certain scholarships, transcript credibility concerns, or preference for a more formal structure. But for most families, Option 1's simplified requirements are the clear choice.

Comparing Your Options

Sports and Extracurricular Access

Ohio law guarantees homeschool students the right to participate in extracurricular activities at their assigned public school district^[2].

Legal foundation: Ohio's extracurricular access law ensures homeschoolers can participate in "any extracurricular activity offered at the district school to which the student otherwise would be assigned."^[1]

What's covered: Sports, clubs, fine arts, academic competitions—the law applies broadly to activities offered to enrolled students.

Eligibility requirements[^1]: - Appropriate age and grade level as determined by superintendent - Meet the same nonacademic and financial requirements as enrolled students - If previously enrolled in public school, must have met academic eligibility standards during preceding grading period

Key protection: Districts cannot impose additional rules or higher fees on homeschoolers than they impose on enrolled students^[2].

No partial enrollment required: Unlike some states, Ohio doesn't require you to take classes at the public school to participate in activities. Your homeschool notification is sufficient for eligibility.

Practical process: Contact your target school's athletic department or activity sponsor. Explain that you're a homeschool family seeking to participate under Ohio's extracurricular access law. Specific registration procedures vary by district.

Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship

The Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship provides significant funding for homeschool students with disabilities—one of the most substantial homeschool support programs in the country^[5].

Eligibility[^5]: - Must have an IEP from your district of residence - Ages 5-21 (with important limitation: as of July 2025, homeschool students no longer qualify after the year they turn 18) - No income cap - Must register as homeschooled AND comply with compulsory attendance

Award amounts (FY 2026)[^5]: | Category | Disability Types | Approximate Award | |----------|-----------------|-------------------| | 1 | Speech Only | ~$9,585 (services only) | | 2 | Specific Learning Disability, Cognitive Disability | ~$10,025 | | 3 | Hearing/Vision Impaired | Higher tier | | 4 | Orthopedic Impairment | Higher tier | | 5 | Multiple Disabilities | Higher tier | | 6 | Autism, TBI, Deaf-Blind | Up to ~$32,445 |

Eligible uses[^5]: - Special education services on IEP - Therapies: Occupational, Physical, Speech - Intervention specialist services - Transportation (if 2+ miles away, grades K-8) - Virtual services (as of 2024)

Application process[^5]: 1. Obtain ETR (Evaluation Team Report) from your district 2. Get IEP from district of residence 3. Apply to a participating provider/school 4. Provider submits scholarship application on your behalf 5. Applications accepted year-round

Important note: Homeschool families can use Jon Peterson for services while maintaining their homeschool status^[5]. You don't need to enroll in a school to access these funds.

Other Financial Resources

Ohio K-12 Home Education Tax Credit: - Up to $250 per family (nonrefundable) - For Ohio taxpayers who paid educational expenses for a homeschooled dependent - Qualified expenses: books, supplementary materials, supplies, computer software, educational subscriptions - NOT covered: computers, electronic devices, accessories - Limitation: If your tax liability is already zero, you cannot benefit

College Credit Plus (CCP): Ohio's dual enrollment program is available to homeschool students in grades 7-12. - Tuition is FREE at public colleges and universities - Major cost savings for college-bound students - Must demonstrate "college readiness" via test scores or GPA equivalent - Maximum 30 credit hours per year - Application deadline: April 1 for intent form AND funding application to Ohio DOE - Textbooks/materials are family's responsibility

EdChoice Scholarship: Limited homeschool eligibility—only if your child has never attended an Ohio school AND is assigned to a school on the underperforming schools list. Primarily designed for private school tuition, not homeschool expenses.

High School, Graduation & Beyond

Ohio homeschool parents have full authority to set graduation requirements and issue diplomas. The HB33 changes reinforced this—there's no state-defined graduation standard for homeschoolers.

Setting graduation requirements: Determine your own credit requirements, courses, and standards. Many families align with typical college-prep expectations: 4 years English, 3-4 years math, 3 years science, 3 years social studies, 2 years foreign language.

Creating transcripts: Document courses, credits, and grades. Include course titles, credit hours, grades, and cumulative GPA. Detailed course descriptions strengthen college applications. There's no mandated format—consistency matters most.

Issuing diplomas: Parents have full authority to issue homeschool diplomas. A GED is NOT required or recommended for homeschool graduates—it actually signals equivalency to a diploma rather than completion of a full educational program.

College preparation: Ohio colleges accept homeschool applicants. Ohio State, Miami University, and other state schools have established homeschool admission processes. You'll typically need SAT or ACT scores, transcripts, and potentially course descriptions.

College Credit Plus: Consider dual enrollment in high school for both college credit and external transcript validation.

Common Misconceptions Cleared Up

Ohio homeschool law changed dramatically in 2023. Here's what's actually true now:

"Testing is required annually" — FALSE as of October 2023. There is no assessment requirement in Ohio. You may test for your own records, but do NOT submit results to your district.

"You need superintendent approval to homeschool" — FALSE. There's no approval process. When you submit notification, your exemption takes effect immediately. The superintendent's acknowledgment is just a receipt.

"You need to replicate traditional school" — FALSE. Ohio gives you complete curriculum freedom. Field trips, project-based learning, and hands-on education all count.

"You must track 900 hours" — FALSE as of October 2023. There is no minimum hour requirement.

"You need a teaching qualification" — FALSE as of October 2023. No diploma, GED, or degree is required.

"Homeschooled children are poorly socialized" — This myth persists everywhere. Ohio has extensive homeschool co-ops, support groups, and activities. Quality relationships matter more than institutional peer groups.

Annual Compliance Checklist

Special Situations

Starting mid-year: Ohio allows withdrawal from school at any point. Submit your notification within 5 days of starting homeschool. Your exemption takes effect immediately—there's no waiting period.

Moving to Ohio: File notification with your new district superintendent within 5 days of beginning instruction in Ohio. Previous state records help establish grade level but don't automatically transfer compliance.

Returning to public school: If your child re-enters public school, the district may use placement testing. Maintain records—even though no longer legally required—to support appropriate grade placement.

Special needs students: Ohio districts must evaluate suspected disabilities under Child Find requirements. The Jon Peterson Scholarship provides substantial funding for services. IEP services generally require public school enrollment, but Jon Peterson allows access to therapies and specialized services while remaining homeschooled.

Work permits: HB33 included a provision allowing homeschool parents to issue work permits for children over 16—you no longer need to go through the school district.

The Bottom Line

Ohio's October 2023 law changes created one of the most homeschool-friendly environments in the country. Annual notification is essentially the only requirement—no testing, no hour tracking, no teacher qualifications, no curriculum approval.

If you're finding outdated information about Ohio's 900-hour requirements or mandatory assessments, disregard it. The current law (O.R.C. 3321.042) is dramatically simpler.

Your first step: prepare and submit your notification to your local superintendent by August 30 (or within 5 days of starting). Include only the required information—parent's name and address, child's name, and assurance of instruction in six subjects. Use certified mail and keep copies.

Ohio's extracurricular access rights mean your child can participate in public school sports and activities. The Jon Peterson Scholarship provides genuine financial support for families with special needs students. Connect with local homeschool co-ops—Ohio has active support networks throughout the state that make homeschooling sustainable and enriching.