Homeschooling in Utah: Laws & Requirements (2026)

Utah stands among the most homeschool-friendly states in the nation. The legal requirements are minimal: file a one-time notice of intent with your local school district, and you've met your obligation to the state. There's no mandated curriculum, no required subjects, no standardized testing, and no minimum instructional hours.

This simplicity reflects Utah's trust in parents to direct their children's education. With no annual renewals, no portfolio reviews, and no oversight from school officials, families enjoy genuine autonomy. Add the Utah Fits All Scholarship—providing $4,000-$6,000 per student annually for educational expenses—and you have one of the most supportive environments for homeschooling in America.

Utah Homeschool Requirements at a Glance

Understanding Utah's Homeschool-Friendly Approach

Utah Code Section 53G-6-204 governs homeschool requirements—and what's notable is how little it mandates. The state explicitly prohibits local school boards from requiring: - Attendance records - Instructor credentials - Facility inspections - Standardized testing

This isn't benign neglect. It's a deliberate policy choice respecting parental rights in education. Utah trusts that parents, who know their children best, will provide appropriate instruction without government oversight.

May 2025 Update (H.B. 209): The most recent legislative change simplified the notification process further. The terminology shifted from "affidavit" to "notice of intent," and the previous requirement that parents attest to having no child abuse convictions was removed. If you previously filed an affidavit, you don't need to resubmit under the new system.

How to Start Homeschooling in Utah

What Utah Requires—and Doesn't Require

The short list of requirements: - File a one-time notice of intent with your local school board - Be the parent or legal guardian of the child you're homeschooling

What Utah explicitly does NOT require: - Curriculum approval or state-mandated subjects - Minimum instructional days or hours - Standardized testing or assessments - Attendance records or daily logs - Teacher qualifications or credentials - Home inspections or portfolio reviews - Annual registration renewals

This freedom extends to teaching methodology too. Classical education, Charlotte Mason, unschooling, unit studies, online courses, textbook-based learning—you choose the approach that works for your family without justifying it to anyone.

Utah Fits All Scholarship

The Utah Fits All Scholarship represents one of the nation's most generous education savings account programs for homeschoolers. Administered by Odyssey (as of May 2025), the program provides annual funds that can cover a wide range of educational expenses.

Award Amounts (2025-2026): - Ages 5-11: $4,000 per student - Ages 12-18: $6,000 per student - Private school students receive $8,000

Eligible Expenses Include: - Curriculum and textbooks - Tutoring services - Educational software and technology - Computer hardware (once every 3 years) - Special education services - Arts and music instruction aligned with state standards - Standardized testing and certification fees - Transportation (up to $750/year) - After-school and summer education programs

Spending Limits: - Extracurricular activities: Maximum 20% of award - Physical education: Maximum 20% of award

Application Timeline (2026-2027): - March 1: Portal opens for renewals - April 1: Portal opens for new applicants - May 1: Application deadline - Decisions within 30 days of deadline

Important Legal Note: A state court ruled the program unconstitutional in April 2025, but the Utah Supreme Court allowed the program to continue operating during appeal. As of January 2026, the program remains active and accepting applications while the case proceeds.

Homeschool-Specific Requirements: Scholarship recipients must submit either an annual portfolio OR assessment results by May 31. Portfolios are created through the Unrulr digital platform. No minimum test scores are required to maintain funding.

For complete application details and approved vendor information, see our Utah Homeschool Funding Guide.

Special Needs Opportunity Scholarship

In addition to Utah Fits All, Utah offers the Special Needs Opportunity Scholarship, providing up to $10,700 annually for students with disabilities.

Eligibility Requirements: - Student has a documented disability - Requires an IEP or evaluation demonstrating special education needs

Key Distinction: Unlike Utah Fits All, the Special Needs Scholarship cannot be combined with public school enrollment. Families must choose between public school special education services and this scholarship.

For many families with special needs children, the scholarship provides funding for specialized therapies, adaptive curriculum, and individualized services that public schools may not offer.

Public School Access and Dual Enrollment

Utah law provides homeschoolers with access to public school resources through dual enrollment. Section 53A-11-102.5 allows families to combine home education with public school classes.

What Dual Enrollment Offers: - Take individual classes at your local public school - Access specialized courses (science labs, languages, advanced math) - Participate in certain school programs

Extracurricular Access: Section 53A-11-102.6 governs participation in public school extracurriculars. Homeschool students have equal access rights—schools cannot impose additional requirements beyond those applied to enrolled students.

Sports Participation: Utah homeschoolers can participate in public school athletics. Contact your local school's athletic director for specific procedures and eligibility requirements.

Dual Enrollment for IEP Services: Here's an important option for special needs families: students who dual-enroll become eligible for public school special education services while continuing to homeschool for most of their education. This can provide access to speech therapy, occupational therapy, and other services.

High School and College Preparation

Parent-Issued Diplomas: Utah homeschool parents create and issue their own diplomas. These are legally recognized—there's no state-issued "homeschool diploma." Focus on documenting coursework through transcripts that list courses, grades, and credits.

College Admission: Utah colleges, including the University of Utah and BYU, accept homeschool applicants. Key elements for applications: - Parent-created transcript documenting high school courses - SAT or ACT scores (many colleges require these from homeschoolers) - Letters of recommendation from non-family members - Evidence of extracurricular activities

Utah Valley University Note: UVU requires a signed, notarized Affidavit of Completion form. Check specific requirements for each college your student considers.

Alternative Pathway: Students 16 and older can pursue a GED as an alternative to a parent-issued diploma if preferred.

Recommended Records to Maintain

Finding Community in Utah

Utah has one of the nation's most active homeschool communities, with numerous co-ops, support groups, and enrichment programs across the state.

State Organizations: - Utah Home Education Association (UHEA): Long-established secular organization serving families for over 35 years - Utah Christian Homeschool Association (UTCH): Faith-based organization providing resources since 1991

Regional Resources: Salt Lake County, Utah County, Cache Valley, and other regions have active local groups organizing field trips, co-op classes, sports leagues, and social events. Both UHEA and UTCH can connect you with groups in your area.

Hybrid Options: Utah also offers microschool and learning pod options through organizations like Prenda, Harmony Education, and My Tech High. These provide structured group learning while maintaining homeschool flexibility.

The Bottom Line

Utah makes homeschooling remarkably straightforward. File a one-time notice of intent with your school district, and you've met your legal obligations. No curriculum mandates, no testing requirements, no annual renewals—just the freedom to educate your children as you see fit.

The Utah Fits All Scholarship adds financial support to that freedom, providing $4,000-$6,000 per student annually for educational expenses. Combined with dual enrollment access and a thriving homeschool community, Utah offers one of the most supportive environments for home education in the country.

Your next step: contact your local school district to file your notice of intent, then explore the Utah Fits All application if funding would benefit your family.