Homeschooling in Chile
Legal with flexible exam-based validation—no home visits or approvals required.
Homeschooling is legal in Chile through the exámenes libres system, allowing families to educate at home and validate studies via official exams without prior registration or curriculum approval. Governed by Ley N° 20.370 (Ley General de Educación) and Decreto Exento N° 2272 (2007), parents hold primary educational responsibility per the Constitution. Children must demonstrate progress through periodic validation exams to obtain official certificates.
Quick Reference
School Days
-
No minimum
Hours Required
-
No minimum
Subjects
0
required
Notification
No
n/a
Key Requirements at a Glance
- Parental right to choose educational mode protected by Constitution Article 19 N°10
- Compulsory education ages 6-18 (basic and secondary levels)
- Homeschooling legal if students validate through official free exams (exámenes libres)
- Decree 2272 (2007) regulates free exam procedures for non-formal education
- Students may sit free exams once annually after personal registration by legal guardian
- Examination centers designated by regional Mineduc offices (SEREMI)
- No prior formal school enrollment required to access free exam system
- Official recognition of non-formal studies achieved through validated exam results
Legal Framework
Ley 20.370 (2009) Ley General de Educación (LGE). Decreto 2272/2007 y Decreto 257/2009 del MINEDUC regulan la validación de estudios y exámenes libres. La modalidad de 'exámenes libres' permite a estudiantes (menores y mayores de 18) presentar exámenes para validar la educación básica y media sin asistir a un establecimiento, y obtener los certificados oficiales correspondientes. Autoridad responsable: Ministerio de Educación (MINEDUC), Coordinación Nacional de Educación de Personas Jóvenes y Adultas y unidad de Validación de Estudios.
Filing Requirements
What to file
n/a
When
n/a
Where
n/a
How to submit
n/a
What to include
- • n/a
No prior notification or registration for homeschooling; only exam application needed
How to Get Started
- 1
Educate at home freely
- 2
Contact local SEREMI for exam centers and dates
- 3
Register child personally with ID/documentation
- 4
Prepare for and take annual validation exams
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓Flexible and low-regulation
- ✓Official recognition via free exams
- ✓Constitutionally protected
Cons
- •Exam pressure annually
- •No structured support
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Last updated: 2026-04-26 · CL homeschool law guide