I'm curious to see the other responses you get since I'm also going to be homeschooling my 5yo dd this fall. I do know that there are no 'online tests' that are required, but there are some that you can use to determine placement and find out what reading level, etc, your dd is on.
I know there are some great support groups out there, I just haven't figured out which one I want to join yet. If you go to SETHSA.org, you'll find a link for support groups and since this is an organization for our area of Texas, it's a little more up-to-date and reliable than the national site. And it's also a little more area-specific to Houston especially since it's more local. Because a group in Baytown is a little too far away for someone who lives in Kingwood! :)
I'll be using the AmblesideOnline.org curriculum for my dd this fall and am really looking forward to it.