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Homeschool laws · State guide

Homeschooling in New Mexico

New Mexico requires home school registration within 30 days and by August 1 each year, immunization records, five core subjects and an instructor with at least a high school diploma; no testing.

Last checkedAgainst Statute + state sources

New Mexico at a glanceLevel: Low

Notice to the state
Yes
Submit the NMPED registration form within 30 days of starting the home school, then by August 1 each later year (the period opens June 1) (NMSA 1978 §22-1-2.1(A)).
Testing
No
None; NMPED: home school students are not required to take annual standardized tests.
Record-keeping
Required
Maintain student immunization records or an approved waiver (§22-1-2.1(B)). NMPED encourages, but does not require, keeping records of notifications, hours, materials and portfolios.
Immunization
Required
Home school parents must keep records of each child’s immunizations or a waiver of the requirement (NMSA 1978 §22-1-2.1(B)).
Required subjects
Yes, 5
Reading, Language arts, Mathematics, Social studies, Science
Instruction time
NMPED's FAQ answers this question by quoting the public school minimum of 1,140 instructional hours per year (NMSA §22-2-8.1); the home school statute itself does not state hours
Parent qualifications
Instruction by a person with at least a high school diploma or equivalent (§22-1-2.1(C)); the home school operator must be a parent or legal guardian
NMPED
Compulsory school age
From age 5 before September 1 until age 18, unless the student graduates, receives a high school equivalency credential or withdraws on an approved hardship waiver
NMSA §§22-1-2(O), 22-12A-4(A)

Ways to homeschool here: Home school (§22-1-2.1)

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Overview

New Mexico defines a home school as a parent-operated home study program providing a basic academic program in reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies and science (NMPED, quoting NMSA §22-1-2). NMPED enforces home school requirements and, on finding noncompliance, may order a student to attend a public or private school (§22-2-2(H), per NMPED).

Private schools are defined separately from home schools and offer on-site instruction (§22-1-2(K)).

Requirements at a glance

  • Notice: Submit the NMPED home school registration form (online or paper) within 30 days of establishing the home school, then on or before August 1 each subsequent year (the notification period opens June 1). (NMSA 1978 §22-1-2.1(A); NMPED FAQ)
  • Testing or assessment: None; NMPED: home school students are not required to take annual standardized tests.
  • Records: Maintain student immunization records or an approved waiver (§22-1-2.1(B)). NMPED encourages, but does not require, keeping records of notifications, hours, materials and portfolios.
  • Subjects: Reading, Language arts, Mathematics, Social studies, Science
  • Instruction time: NMPED’s FAQ answers this question by quoting the public school minimum of 1,140 instructional hours per year (NMSA §22-2-8.1); the home school statute itself does not state hours
  • Parent/teacher qualifications: Instruction by a person with at least a high school diploma or equivalent (§22-1-2.1(C)); the home school operator must be a parent or legal guardian (NMPED)
  • Compulsory attendance ages: From age 5 before September 1 until age 18, unless the student graduates, receives a high school equivalency credential or withdraws on an approved hardship waiver (NMSA §§22-1-2(O), 22-12A-4(A))

Sources

This page summarizes the statutes and official pages listed in the sources block, as read on the last-checked date. It is general information, not legal advice; confirm current requirements with your state or local education agency.

Official NM statutes are on NMOneSource (not fetchable as text); §22-1-2.1 read on Justia and matches the NMPED quotation.