North Carolina Homeschool Requirements Checklist
Everything you need to do to homeschool legally in North Carolina, based on N.C.G.S. 115C-547 through 115C-565. North Carolina is classified as Moderate regulation.
This is the general checklist for Home School (DNPE Filing), the most common of North Carolina's 2 pathways. Our free wizard customizes this for your family, including grade, pathway, enrollment status, and IEP.
Your compliance checklist
Do first
File your Notice of Intent
Submit to Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE). Deadline: At least 5 days before opening the home school (DNPE requires written acknowledgment before starting).
Deadline: At least 5 days before opening the home school (DNPE requires written acknowledgment before starting)
More details
Filed online via the DNPE website. Required information includes name and address of the school, name of owner/operator, and name and address of chief administrator.
Withdrawal letter recommended
A formal letter isn't required, but it is recommended if your child is enrolled in school. Send it to current public school.
Deadline: Before you start (if enrolled)
More details
No mandatory waiting period. Home school may begin as soon as DNPE notice is filed and child is withdrawn. Failure to file DNPE notice promptly can trigger truancy proceedings. Keep copies of withdrawal letter and DNPE filing confirmation.
Confirm your qualification
This pathway requires a high school diploma or GED. Alternatives: GED.
Deadline: Before you start
More details
Must be the parent, legal guardian, or a member of the household.
Ongoing
Show your child's progress
Standardized test — annually.
More details
Must administer a nationally standardized test or equivalent measurement each year covering English grammar, reading, spelling, and mathematics. No minimum score requirement. Acceptable tests include Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS), California Achievement Test (CAT), Stanford Achievement Test, Woodcock-Johnson, Peabody Individual Achievement Test (PIAT), and others. Results retained at the home school for at least one year; must be available for DNPE inspection upon request but are not routinely submitted.
Keep basic records
You must maintain: attendance records. Records may be reviewed by the district.
More details
Must maintain attendance records and immunization records. Standardized test results retained for at least one year. Records must be available for inspection by DNPE upon request. No statutory requirement for portfolio, daily logs, or detailed curricular records.
Good news
No specific subjects required
North Carolina does not mandate specific subjects. Annual standardized testing covers English grammar, reading, spelling, and mathematics.
No instructional time minimums
No minimum hours or days of instruction required.
Filing requirements
- What to file
- simple notice
- Send to
- Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE)
- Deadline
- At least 5 days before opening the home school (DNPE requires written acknowledgment before starting)
- How often
- one time
- Official form
- Download / access form
Filed online via the DNPE website. Required information includes name and address of the school, name of owner/operator, and name and address of chief administrator.
N.C.G.S. 115C-552; N.C.G.S. 115C-560 (via 115C-564)
Ongoing requirements
Testing and assessment
- Accepted types
- Standardized test
- Frequency
- annually
Must administer a nationally standardized test or equivalent measurement each year covering English grammar, reading, spelling, and mathematics. No minimum score requirement. Acceptable tests include Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS), California Achievement Test (CAT), Stanford Achievement Test, Woodcock-Johnson, Peabody Individual Achievement Test (PIAT), and others. Results retained at the home school for at least one year; must be available for DNPE inspection upon request but are not routinely submitted.
See our full assessment guide for North Carolina for details.
N.C.G.S. 115C-549; N.C.G.S. 115C-557 (via 115C-564)
Recordkeeping
- ✓Attendance records
Records may be reviewed by the district.
Must maintain attendance records and immunization records. Standardized test results retained for at least one year. Records must be available for inspection by DNPE upon request. No statutory requirement for portfolio, daily logs, or detailed curricular records.
N.C.G.S. 115C-548; N.C.G.S. 115C-556 (via 115C-564)
Instructor qualifications
The instructor must have a high school diploma or GED.
Alternatives: GED
Must be the parent, legal guardian, or a member of the household.
What you don't need to worry about
No specific subjects required
North Carolina does not mandate specific subjects. Annual standardized testing covers English grammar, reading, spelling, and mathematics.
No instructional time minimums
No minimum hours or days of instruction required.
Other ways to homeschool in North Carolina
This checklist covers Home School (DNPE Filing), the most common pathway. North Carolina offers 2 different ways to homeschool, each with different requirements:
- •Home School (DNPE Filing)(this checklist) : You file a one-time notice with the Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE) online before you start, teach on a regular schedule for at least 9 calendar months, and administer a nationally standardized test each year. No mandated subjects. The teaching parent must have a high school diploma or GED. No minimum test score required — results are kept at home, not submitted.
- •Private Church School / School of Religious Charter : You enroll in a private church school or school of religious charter that files with DNPE on your behalf. No high school diploma requirement for the instructor and no required subject list from the state. Standardized testing is required at grades 3, 6, and 9 (not annually). Best for families affiliated with a church or who want reduced requirements compared to the direct home school pathway.
Our wizard helps you choose the right one. Compare all pathways for North Carolina
Related guides
Get your personalized checklist
This is the general checklist for the most common pathway. The wizard customizes it for your family's specific situation, including grade, pathway, and IEP status.
Get your North Carolina checklistRequirements sourced from N.C.G.S. 115C-547 through 115C-565. Verified against primary legal sources. Last verified: March 2026