Homeschool Guide

How to Homeschool in Kentucky

Here is exactly what Kentucky requires to homeschool legally - how to notify (if needed), what records to keep, testing rules, and how to get started.

Last updated June 2026

Notice required
Required
Instructional days
185 hrs/year
Portfolio
Not required
Testing / evaluation
Not required

Kentucky homeschool requirements

  • Notification: Kentucky home schools operate as private schools. No state notification or registration required.
  • Required subjects: Cover Reading, Writing, Spelling, Grammar, History, Math, Science, Health, PE.
  • Teacher requirement: No teacher certification is required to teach your own children.
  • Portfolio / records: No portfolio is required by the state, though keeping records is recommended.
  • Testing / evaluation: No standardized testing is required by the state.
  • Recordkeeping: No retention period is set by the state; keep records organized year to year.

Key dates & deadlines

At the start of the yearFile your required notification with the district or state.
AnnuallyRenew your notification.

Getting started in Kentucky

  1. File your required notification with your district or the state (see requirements above).
  2. Set up simple records: a log of instruction and samples of your child’s work.
  3. Choose curriculum covering Reading, Writing, Spelling, Grammar, History, Math, Science, Health, PE.
  4. Keep your records organized from year to year.

Scholarships & funding in Kentucky

Kentucky does not currently run a state scholarship or education savings account program that homeschool families can use. Families here typically fund curriculum and materials themselves, which makes keeping clean purchase records useful at tax time and if the state's rules change.

Official resources

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to notify the state to homeschool in Kentucky?
Kentucky home schools operate as private schools. No state notification or registration required.
Do I need to be a certified teacher?
No - there is no teacher-certification requirement.
Is standardized testing required?
No - Kentucky does not mandate standardized testing.
How long should I keep records?
No retention period is mandated, but keeping thorough records is strongly recommended.
Is there scholarship or ESA funding for homeschoolers in Kentucky?
Not at present. Kentucky has no state scholarship or education savings account program open to homeschool families, though families still commonly track purchases for their own budgeting.
What subjects must I teach in Kentucky?
Kentucky requires you to cover Reading, Writing, Spelling, Grammar, History, Math, Science, Health, PE. Beyond that the choice of curriculum and approach is yours.
How many days or hours of instruction does Kentucky require?
Kentucky expects about 185 hours of instruction a year. Logging lessons as you go is far easier than reconstructing the total later.
Track all of this automatically

Beyond My Books logs your Kentucky instructional days, required subjects, portfolio, and deadlines - and warns you before anything is due.

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This guide is general information, not legal advice. Homeschool laws change - verify current requirements with your Kentucky department of education or county superintendent.