Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in North Carolina?

Yes. You send notice to the North Carolina Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE), NC Department of Administration, at least 5 business days before you start, and only on or after July 1 of the school year you begin (DNPE does not accept notices in May or June); if your child is under 7, file before the child turns 7. How often: once (keep the school's information updated in the DNPE portal; notify DNPE when the school closes). Online through the DNPE portal.

What subjects do I have to teach in North Carolina?

North Carolina requires: None specified by law (the annual test covers English grammar, reading, spelling, and mathematics).

How many days or hours of homeschool does North Carolina require?

At least nine calendar months per year, excluding reasonable holidays and vacations (DNPE recommends, but does not require, about 5 hours a day).

Are standardized tests or evaluations required in North Carolina?

Every student must take a nationally standardized achievement test each school year, starting in the first year, covering English grammar, reading, spelling, and mathematics. No minimum score; keep results at least one year and show them to DNPE on request.

Do parents need a teaching certificate to homeschool in North Carolina?

Anyone providing academic instruction must hold at least a high school diploma or its equivalent.

What records should I keep when homeschooling in North Carolina?

Attendance records for each student, every year; Immunization records for each student; Annual standardized test results, kept at least one year (DNPE recommends keeping them permanently).

How to homeschool in North Carolina

Moderate regulationChecked against official sources October 9, 2026

In North Carolina you register your home school once with the state Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE), online, before you start. Each year you give every student a nationally standardized achievement test (grammar, reading, spelling, math) and keep the results, attendance, and immunization records at home. The teaching parent needs a high school diploma or equivalent, and the school must operate at least nine calendar months a year.

Homeschooling in North Carolina at a glance: notice of intent required (send to the North Carolina Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE), NC Department of Administration); instruction time: at least nine calendar months per year, excluding reasonable holidays and vacations (DNPE recommends,…

Requirements in North Carolina

Home school registered with DNPE · N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 115C-563 to 115C-565 (with Parts 1 and 2 of Article 39)

A home school is a nonpublic school made up of the children of no more than two families or households, taught by their parents or guardians. You file a Notice of Intent with DNPE, choose religious or non-religious status, and follow the record and testing rules for nonpublic schools.

Notice: Send to: the North Carolina Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE), NC Department of Administration.
When: at least 5 business days before you start, and only on or after July 1 of the school year you begin (DNPE does not accept notices in May or June); if your child is under 7, file before the child turns 7.
How often: once (keep the school's information updated in the DNPE portal; notify DNPE when the school closes).
How: online through the DNPE portal.
Instruction time: At least nine calendar months per year, excluding reasonable holidays and vacations (DNPE recommends, but does not require, about 5 hours a day).
Required subjects: None specified by law (the annual test covers English grammar, reading, spelling, and mathematics).
Records to keep: Attendance records for each student, every year.
Immunization records for each student.
Annual standardized test results, kept at least one year (DNPE recommends keeping them permanently).
Testing / evaluation: Every student must take a nationally standardized achievement test each school year, starting in the first year, covering English grammar, reading, spelling, and mathematics. No minimum score; keep results at least one year and show them to DNPE on request.
Parent qualifications: Anyone providing academic instruction must hold at least a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Also: Compulsory attendance ages are 7 to 16.
Records must be available for annual inspection by DNPE (which may ask for them by email or a virtual meeting).
Do not withdraw your child from school until DNPE has acknowledged your Notice of Intent.

Official form: DNPE: Filing a Notice of Intent to Operate a Home School

What the notice must include

Name and address of the home school (30 characters or fewer; avoid words like 'academy' or 'university').
Name of the school's owner and chief administrator.
Whether the school is religious or non-religious.
Proof the teaching parent(s) hold at least a high school diploma or equivalent.

Checklist

File your Notice of Intent with DNPE online: at least 5 business days before starting (on or after July 1 of that school year).
Wait for DNPE's acknowledgment, then withdraw your child from school in writing: before you begin homeschooling.
Give each student a nationally standardized achievement test and file the results: each school year.
Keep attendance and immunization records: ongoing.
Review and update your school's information in the DNPE portal: each school year.
Notify DNPE when your home school closes: when you stop homeschooling.

Leaving a public school

DNPE says not to withdraw your child from their current school until DNPE acknowledges receipt of your Notice of Intent (usually 3-5 business days). Then notify the school in writing.

Common questions about homeschooling in North Carolina

Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in North Carolina?: Yes. You send notice to the North Carolina Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE), NC Department of Administration, at least 5 business days before you start, and only on or after July 1 of the school year you begin (DNPE does not accept notices in May or June); if your child is under 7, file before the child turns 7. How often: once (keep the school's information updated in the DNPE portal; notify DNPE when the school closes). Online through the DNPE portal.
What subjects do I have to teach in North Carolina?: North Carolina requires: None specified by law (the annual test covers English grammar, reading, spelling, and mathematics).
How many days or hours of homeschool does North Carolina require?: At least nine calendar months per year, excluding reasonable holidays and vacations (DNPE recommends, but does not require, about 5 hours a day).
Are standardized tests or evaluations required in North Carolina?: Every student must take a nationally standardized achievement test each school year, starting in the first year, covering English grammar, reading, spelling, and mathematics. No minimum score; keep results at least one year and show them to DNPE on request.
Do parents need a teaching certificate to homeschool in North Carolina?: Anyone providing academic instruction must hold at least a high school diploma or its equivalent.
What records should I keep when homeschooling in North Carolina?: Attendance records for each student, every year; Immunization records for each student; Annual standardized test results, kept at least one year (DNPE recommends keeping them permanently).

Worth double-checking

A Notice of Intent is not needed for a child under 7 who will not turn 7 during the school year, for students 18 or older, or for summer-only schools.
Session Law 2026-46 eliminates the Driving Eligibility Certificate (DEC) requirement for teen drivers effective October 1, 2026; older guides describe getting a DEC from DNPE.
The law does not list required subjects for home schools; the annual test subjects are the practical baseline. Check DNPE guidance if you plan to issue a diploma or transcript.

Sources

N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 115C, Article 39 (nonpublic schools, incl. home schools).(official)
NC DNPE: Home Schools.(official)
NC DNPE: Starting a Home School (requirements and recommendations).(official)
NC DNPE: Nationally Standardized Testing Requirement.(official)
NC DNPE: Teen Drivers (DEC requirement eliminated Oct. 1, 2026 under SL 2026-46).(official)
HSLDA: North Carolina.

This is a plain-language summary to help you get organized, not legal advice. Laws and forms change, so confirm the details with your state or school district before you file.