Legal status
Homeschooling is legal in New Jersey if the child receives instruction equivalent to what would be provided in school.
NJ
Low regulationNew Jersey homeschool requirements
Use this page as the parent-friendly requirements hub for New Jersey. It pulls the core legal fields into one checklist-style view so families can see what matters before they choose curriculum or withdraw from school.
Plain-English note: this is a parent guide, not legal advice. Use the official source links at the bottom of the page before a deadline or filing decision.
Regulation level
Low: New Jersey law is short and does not create a heavy filing system for homeschoolers. Parents generally may homeschool without annual approval if they provide an academically equivalent education, but the state gives very little detailed official guidance beyond the statute.
Compulsory school age
6-16
Notice or enrollment requirement
No routine notice of intent is required under the main homeschool statute. Notify: No standard annual filing is required. If a child is leaving public school, families usually notify the local school or district to avoid attendance problems.. Deadline: No statewide filing deadline for independent homeschooling.
Required subjects
No fixed statutory list; instruction should be academically equivalent to school and should cover the major academic subjects
Hours or days
New Jersey does not set a specific homeschool day or hour requirement in the main statute.
Testing or evaluation
No statewide testing is required for independent homeschoolers. Frequency: Not required.
Records parents should keep
New Jersey does not require a formal statewide recordkeeping system, but families should keep attendance-style records, course plans, work samples, and high school transcripts in case questions arise.
Teacher qualifications
Parents do not need a teaching certificate to homeschool in New Jersey.
Curriculum freedom
Broad. Families usually choose their own curriculum and teaching methods, as long as the education is academically equivalent overall.
Free printables
Download the homeschool starter kit
Print these before you start: a state startup checklist, letter-of-intent template, attendance tracker, and high-school transcript template.
New homeschool families
State homeschool startup checklist
A printable first-week checklist for choosing your pathway, handling notices or withdrawal, tracking deadlines, and setting up records.
Download PDF →
Notice or withdrawal paperwork
Homeschool letter of intent template
A parent-safe fill-in notice/withdrawal template with reminders to use official state forms when required.
Download PDF →
Recordkeeping
Homeschool attendance tracker
A simple school-year tracker for days, hours, holidays, field trips, and notes you can keep with your records.
Download PDF →
High school planning
Homeschool transcript template
A fill-in high-school transcript starter with course records, credit summary, and parent certification lines.
Download PDF →
These printables are general planning tools, not legal advice. Always verify the current rule on your state page and official source links before filing deadlines.
Frequently asked questions
Is homeschooling legal in New Jersey?
Homeschooling is legal in New Jersey if the child receives instruction equivalent to what would be provided in school.
Do New Jersey homeschool parents have to notify the state?
No routine notice of intent is required under the main homeschool statute.
What subjects are required in New Jersey?
No fixed statutory list; instruction should be academically equivalent to school and should cover the major academic subjects
Does New Jersey require homeschool testing?
No statewide testing is required for independent homeschoolers.
Start with the full state checklist
If you are new to homeschooling in New Jersey, read the step-by-step startup guide before handling forms or curriculum decisions.
How to homeschool in New JerseySources for New Jersey
- https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/statutes/18A:38-25
- https://lis.njleg.state.nj.us/nxt/gateway.dll/statutes/1/18a/38/18a%3A38-25?f=templates$fn=default.htm$3.0
- https://www.nj.gov/labor/career-services/career-support/home-schooling/learn-more/
- HSLDA state law summary
Last verified: 2026-04-20. Last updated: 2026-04-20.