Homeschooling in British Columbia
BC homeschooling offers complete parental freedom after simple annual registration.
Homeschooling is legal in British Columbia under section 12 of the School Act (RSBC 1996, c. 412), granting parents the statutory right to educate children at home. Parents must register annually by September 30 with a public, independent, francophone, or online learning school. No curriculum, testing, reporting, or supervision is required; education is fully parent-directed.
Quick Reference
School Days
-
No minimum
Hours Required
-
No minimum
Subjects
0
required
Notification
Yes
annual
Key Requirements at a Glance
- Homeschooling is legal under School Act section 12; registration is required under section 13.
- Registration must occur by September 30 each year, but children may be registered mid-year if withdrawn from school.
- Parents may register with any public, independent, francophone, or online learning school in the province.
- No mandatory curriculum, provincial standards compliance, or Ministry inspection required.
- Schools must offer free evaluation services and resource loans to registered homeschoolers; parents may decline.
- Homeschooling is the full responsibility of the parent and is not supervised by a certified teacher.
- Compulsory education age is 5 to 16; homeschooling satisfies this requirement when registered.
- Distributed learning (online learning schools) is a separate, funded option with teacher supervision and is distinct from registered homeschooling.
Legal Framework
School Act, RSBC 1996, c 412, sections 12, 13 and 14. Section 12 establishes the parental right to educate a child at home. Section 13 requires that homeschooled children be registered annually by September 30 with a public school, francophone school, distance education school, independent school, or with the ministry. Section 14 (power to report) allows anyone who believes a child is not registered or is not receiving a proper education to report the matter to the superintendent of schools or directeur général. Compulsory school participation is set out in Section 3(1)(b): a person must participate in an educational program until age 16. The School Regulation (BC Reg. 265/89) and the Homeschooling Procedures and Guidelines Manual set out operational requirements. Online Learning programs (formerly Distributed Learning) are governed separately under the Online Learning Policy and are NOT homeschooling — they are enrolment in a school program. Responsible authority: BC Ministry of Education and Child Care.
Filing Requirements
What to file
Homeschool Registration Form (school-specific)
When
September 30
Where
Public, independent, francophone, or online learning school principal
How to submit
In person, mail, or email to school
What to include
- • Child's name, age, address, parent contact; no program details needed
Public schools must accept all; independents may choose and charge fees. Mid-year registration allowed if withdrawing from school.[2]
How to Get Started
- 1
Withdraw child from current school if enrolled (notify principal)
- 2
Contact desired school (public preferred for no fees)
- 3
Complete school homeschool registration form by Sept 30
- 4
Decline or accept offered services
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓High flexibility
- ✓Low regulation
- ✓Free resources available
Cons
- •Annual registration needed
- •No state diploma
- •Potential fees at independents
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Last updated: 2026-04-26 · BC homeschool law guide