Homeschool laws · State guide
Homeschooling in North Carolina
North Carolina home schools file a notice of intent with the Division of Non-Public Education, keep attendance and immunization records, and give a standardized test each year.
North Carolina at a glanceLevel: Moderate
- Notice to the state
- Yes
- File a notice of intent with the Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE) before starting, and notify DNPE when the school closes. DNPE takes no new notices in May or June (G.S. 115C-552, 115C-564).
- Testing
- Yes
- A nationally standardized achievement test each year covering English grammar, reading, spelling and math; no minimum score. Keep results one year; submit them only if DNPE asks (G.S. 115C-549, 115C-564).
- Record-keeping
- Required
- Annual attendance and immunization records for each student; test results kept one year for inspection. (G.S. 115C-548, 115C-549; DNPE)
- Immunization
- Required
- Homeschooled children must be immunized unless medically or religiously exempt. Keep immunization or exemption records at home (G.S. 115C-565; NC DHHS).
- Required subjects
- None specified
- Instruction time
- Regular schedule, excluding reasonable holidays and vacations, for at least nine calendar months of the year
- G.S. 115C-548
- Parent qualifications
- Persons providing academic instruction must hold at least a high school diploma or equivalent
- G.S. 115C-564
Ways to homeschool here: Home school operating under Part 1 (religious) or Part 2 (qualified nonpublic) of Article 39
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Overview
A North Carolina home school is a nonpublic school made up of the children of no more than two families or households, where the parents or household members determine the scope and sequence of instruction and provide it (G.S. 115C-563). The family elects to operate under Part 1 or Part 2 of Article 39; safety and sanitation inspections are waived for schools in a private residence, and testing is annual (G.S. 115C-564). DNPE tells families not to withdraw a child until DNPE acknowledges the notice. The school name is used on future diplomas.
Legal options
- Home school operating under Part 1 (religious) or Part 2 (qualified nonpublic) of Article 39
Requirements at a glance
- Notice: Submit a Notice of Intent to Operate a Home School to the Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE) before beginning (DNPE asks for at least five business days and documentation of the teacher’s high school diploma), choose religious or non-religious status, and notify DNPE when the school closes. DNPE does not accept new notices in May or June. (G.S. 115C-552, 115C-564; DNPE)
- Testing or assessment: A nationally standardized achievement test (or equivalent measurement) each academic year covering English grammar, reading, spelling and mathematics; no minimum score. Keep results at least one year and make them available to DNPE on request; scores are not submitted unless DNPE specifically requests them. (G.S. 115C-549, 115C-564; DNPE)
- Records: Annual attendance and immunization records for each student; test results kept one year for inspection. (G.S. 115C-548, 115C-549; DNPE)
- Subjects: None specified
- Instruction time: Regular schedule, excluding reasonable holidays and vacations, for at least nine calendar months of the year (G.S. 115C-548)
- Parent/teacher qualifications: Persons providing academic instruction must hold at least a high school diploma or equivalent (G.S. 115C-564)
- Compulsory attendance ages: 7 to 16 (G.S. 115C-378)
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.