Missouri homeschooling requirements explained. Learn about Missouri homeschool laws, notification procedures, required subjects, testing rules, parent qualifications, and local support resources.
Missouri is a low-regulation state for homeschooling, offering families significant freedom with minimal government oversight. Parents must maintain basic records and provide a set number of instructional hours, but there is no requirement to notify the state or submit to testing.
Homeschooling is legal in Missouri under Missouri Revised Statutes §167.031 and §167.042. The state provides two distinct legal pathways for families who wish to educate their children at home.
This is the most common option. Under this statute, parents educate their children at home with no requirement to notify the school district or state. Key features:
This option involves establishing a home school that is registered as a non-public school. This option requires:
Most Missouri families choose Option 1 (§167.031) because it requires no notification or registration. Option 2 may be preferable for families who want an official record on file or who plan to have their children participate in certain public school programs. Both options are equally legal and provide broad freedom.
The notification requirements in Missouri depend on which legal option you choose for homeschooling.
Under the most popular homeschooling option in Missouri, no notification whatsoever is required. You do not need to:
You simply begin homeschooling and maintain the required records privately. No government body needs to be informed of your decision to homeschool.
If you choose Option 2, you must file a Declaration of Enrollment (DOE) with your county's recorder of deeds office. This document must be filed:
The Declaration of Enrollment includes the parent's name, the child's name and age, and a statement that instruction will be provided in the required subjects. A copy is also sent to the local superintendent.
If your child is currently enrolled in public school, you should formally withdraw them before beginning homeschooling. While not strictly required by the homeschool statute, this avoids truancy complications. Send a written withdrawal letter to the school and keep a copy for your records.
Missouri law specifies required subjects that homeschooling families must include in their instruction. While the specific subjects differ slightly between the two legal options, both require a well-rounded educational program.
Missouri requires instruction in the following core areas:
Under Option 2 (§167.042), additional subjects such as fine arts and health/safety may also be required.
Missouri gives families broad freedom in how they teach:
As long as the required subjects are covered, the approach is entirely up to the family.
Missouri requires a minimum of 1,000 hours of instruction per year, with at least 600 hours in the five core subjects (reading, math, social studies, English, and science). Of those 600 hours, at least 400 hours must take place at the regular home school location.
The remaining hours may include field trips, educational activities outside the home, and other enrichment opportunities.
Missouri does not require parents to hold a teaching certificate, college degree, or any other educational credential to homeschool their children.
Any parent or legal guardian may homeschool their children in Missouri regardless of their own level of education. The state places no restrictions on who may provide instruction in a home school setting.
Under Option 2 (§167.042), the law states that a "parent, parents, or a person designated by the parent" may provide instruction. There is no qualification requirement for any of these instructors.
While no credentials are needed, parents take on full responsibility for their children's education. Consider these practical tips:
These steps are optional but can help parents feel more confident and prepared.
The bottom line: no certification, degree, or training is required to be a homeschool instructor in Missouri.
Missouri does not require standardized testing or formal assessments for homeschooled students under either legal option. There are no state-mandated tests, evaluations, or portfolio reviews.
Homeschooled students in Missouri are exempt from all state assessments, including the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) tests that public school students take. Parents are free to assess their children's progress however they see fit.
While not required, many Missouri families use voluntary testing to track progress:
These are purely optional and results are kept by the family, not reported to anyone.
Homeschooled students planning to attend college should prepare for:
Missouri universities generally require standardized test scores from homeschool applicants.
Missouri homeschool graduates do not need to obtain a GED. Parents issue their own diploma, and Missouri law treats homeschool diplomas as equivalent to public or private school diplomas for purposes of college admission and employment.
Unlike some low-regulation states, Missouri does require homeschooling families to maintain certain records. While these records are kept at home and not submitted to the state, they must be available if requested.
Missouri law requires homeschooling families to maintain the following records:
These records must be maintained but are not submitted to the state or school district. They should be kept at home and preserved in case of any inquiry.
Missouri requires 1,000 hours of instruction per year, with at least 600 hours in core subjects and 400 of those at the home school location. Families should maintain an instructional log that tracks hours spent on each subject area.
The school year must include instruction during at least four of the following months: September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, and May. There is no specific number of school days required.
For high school students, careful recordkeeping is especially important. Parents should document courses completed, grades earned, and credits accumulated to create a comprehensive transcript for college applications or employment.
Missouri has very limited government oversight of homeschooling. Under the most popular option (§167.031), families do not even need to notify any government agency that they are homeschooling.
Neither the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) nor local school districts actively monitor or supervise homeschools. There are no regular inspections, evaluations, or reporting requirements.
Government involvement typically only occurs in specific situations:
In the event of a truancy inquiry, having your required records (log of hours, portfolio of work, plan book) available will quickly resolve any concerns.
Missouri law does not authorize routine home visits, inspections, or evaluations of homeschooling families by school officials or any other government agency. Your home and your records are private, and officials have no right to enter your home or demand to see your materials without a court order.
Missouri provides solid legal protections for homeschooling families:
Be aware of these potential pitfalls:
Not maintaining required records
Failing to keep the required log of hours, plan book, and portfolio could be problematic if your homeschool status is ever questioned.
Not meeting hour requirements
Missouri requires 1,000 hours of instruction. Not tracking and documenting these hours could create compliance issues.
Confusion between the two legal options
Understanding which statute you're operating under and meeting its specific requirements is important. Mixing requirements from both options can cause confusion.
If approached by school officials or law enforcement about your homeschool, remain calm and know your rights. Under §167.031, you are not required to provide any information to the school district. Under §167.042, your obligations are limited to what is specified in the statute.
Having your records organized and accessible can quickly resolve any inquiries. Consult HSLDA or a Missouri homeschool organization if you face any legal challenges.
Missouri has a strong and active homeschooling community with organizations providing support, advocacy, and resources throughout the state.
FHE is Missouri's primary statewide homeschool organization, providing:
MATCH serves the Christian homeschooling community in Missouri:
Missouri has numerous local homeschool groups offering:
Active groups are found in St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, Columbia, and communities throughout the state.
Organizations providing legal support for Missouri homeschoolers:
Our AI-powered tools can help Missouri homeschoolers with curriculum planning, content creation, and tracking progress across required subject areas. Generate customized worksheets, quizzes, and lesson plans while easily logging instructional hours to meet Missouri's 1,000-hour requirement.
Learning Corner offers several AI-powered tools that can assist Missouri homeschoolers:
Analyze your student's activity to understand which concepts they're learning, helping Missouri homeschool parents track academic progress across required subject areas.
Create custom quizzes and assessments to track student progress and ensure comprehensive coverage of Missouri's required subject areas.
Generate customized worksheets for practice and reinforcement across all required Missouri subject areas.
Create structured lesson plans that can serve as documentation of your instruction and help maintain recommended records for Missouri homeschoolers.
These curriculum providers, apps, and services are available to homeschool families in Missouri:
Award-winning early learning app for ages 2-8 covering reading, math, art, and more.
Apps & Software SubscriptionChristian textbook and video-based curriculum trusted by schools and homeschoolers since 1972.
Curriculum Providers PaidMajor retailer of Christian homeschool curriculum, books, and educational materials.
Supplies & Materials PaidAlternative to SAT/ACT for college admissions, embraced by homeschool families.
Testing & Assessment Services PaidNational network of classical Christian homeschool communities meeting weekly.
Co-ops & Learning Communities PaidLast Updated: March 23, 2026