Free: Homeschool Compliance Starter Checklist
The general checklist of what states require. For Ohio's annual notification letter, assurance wording, and six-subject plan done for you, get the Ohio Compliance Kit above.
Ohio’s homeschool law changed dramatically in 2023 — and if you’re going off older information, you’re probably worried about requirements that no longer exist. House Bill 33 eliminated the annual testing, the portfolio review, and the 900-hour rule. What’s left is one of the simplest annual filings in the country. Here’s exactly what Ohio requires now, what it dropped, and how to stay compliant with about ten minutes of paperwork a year.
What changed in 2023? (House Bill 33)
Effective October 3, 2023, House Bill 33 rewrote Ohio Revised Code § 3321.042 and removed most of what used to make Ohio feel intimidating:
- ❌ No more academic assessment — the standardized test or portfolio review by a licensed teacher is gone.
- ❌ No more 900-hour requirement.
- ✅ Required subjects dropped from nine to six.
- ✅ The notification is now a true notice — the superintendent cannot deny it or ask for more.
- ❌ No parent-qualification requirement (you don’t need a diploma or degree).
If you homeschooled in Ohio before 2023, this is the good news: the hard parts are gone.
What Ohio requires now
Under ORC § 3321.042 as amended, there are just two ongoing obligations:
- Send an annual notification to the superintendent of your district of residence.
- Teach six subjects: English language arts, mathematics, science, history, government, and social studies.
That’s the whole law. No testing, no portfolio, no hours to log, and nothing for the district to approve.
The Ohio homeschool notification
Ohio is a “notice” state — the one thing you must do each year is tell your district. Your notification must include:
- The parent’s name and address
- The child’s name
- An assurance that the child will be taught the six required subject areas
Deadlines: send it within 5 calendar days of starting home education (or of moving districts or withdrawing from a school), and then by August 30 each year after. You do not wait for approval — the superintendent has no authority to deny the notice, and your child’s exemption from compulsory attendance is effective as soon as the district receives it.
The six required subjects
Ohio requires instruction in six areas. You choose the curriculum, method, and pace:
- English language arts — reading, writing, grammar, spelling, literature
- Mathematics — any math curriculum at your child’s level
- Science — life, earth, or physical science
- History — US or world history
- Government — civics and how government works
- Social studies — geography, cultures, economics, community
What Ohio does NOT require
- ❌ No standardized testing
- ❌ No portfolio or review by a licensed teacher
- ❌ No minimum hours or days
- ❌ No teaching certificate, diploma, or degree for the parent
- ❌ No approval — the notice cannot be denied
How to start homeschooling in Ohio (step by step)
- Send your notification to the superintendent of your district of residence — within 5 days of starting, or by August 30 for the coming year. Include your name/address, your child’s name, and the six-subject assurance.
- If withdrawing from public school, the notice makes your child exempt on receipt; it’s also wise to email the current school so they mark the student as withdrawn to home education, not truant.
- Choose curriculum for the six subjects — any publisher or method.
- Keep a simple folder (optional but smart): your dated notice, a subject plan, and a few work samples.
Frequently asked questions
Do I still have to test my child in Ohio?
No. HB 33 removed Ohio’s assessment requirement in 2023 — there is no standardized test and no portfolio review anymore.
When is the Ohio homeschool notification due?
By August 30 each year, or within 5 calendar days of starting home education, moving districts, or withdrawing from a school.
Can the superintendent reject my notification?
No. It’s a notice, not an application. The superintendent cannot deny it or require additional information, and your exemption is effective on receipt.
Do I need a college degree or teaching license to homeschool in Ohio?
No. The amended law has no parent-qualification requirement.
How many hours do I have to homeschool in Ohio?
None specified. HB 33 removed the old 900-hour rule.
The bottom line
Ohio went from one of the more paperwork-heavy states to one of the simplest in a single 2023 law. Send one honest notice a year, teach the six required subjects, and keep a light folder — and you’re fully compliant, with nothing to submit, prove, or pass. If you’d like the notification letter, the exact assurance wording, and a six-subject plan all done for you, our Ohio Homeschool Compliance Kit puts them in one place.
This guide is an educational resource, not legal advice. Verify current requirements with your district and the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce before filing.
📚 Recommended Homeschool Resources
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Some links in this article are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Loved this post? Grab the free resource above.
The general checklist of what states require. For Ohio's annual notification letter, assurance wording, and six-subject plan done for you, get the Ohio Compliance Kit above.