Legal status
Homeschooling is legal, but families must open the homeschool properly and keep up with annual testing and records.
NC
Medium regulationNorth Carolina homeschool requirements
Use this page as the parent-friendly requirements hub for North Carolina. 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
Medium: North Carolina treats a homeschool as a type of nonpublic school. Parents generally file a notice of intent before starting, run the school on a regular schedule for at least nine calendar months, keep attendance and immunization records, and give a nationally standardized test every year.
Compulsory school age
7-16
Notice or enrollment requirement
Yes. Parents usually file a Notice of Intent to operate a home school before beginning. Notify: The North Carolina Division of Non-Public Education.. Deadline: Before you start operating the homeschool. It is not usually an annual filing once the school is established.
Required subjects
No specific subject list is spelled out in the homeschool statute
Hours or days
The homeschool must operate on a regular schedule for at least nine calendar months each year.
Testing or evaluation
Yes. Students must take a nationally standardized test or other equivalent national standardized measure each year. Frequency: Annually.
Records parents should keep
Keep attendance records, immunization records, and annual standardized test results in your files.
Teacher qualifications
The parent or other person running the homeschool must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
Curriculum freedom
Broad. Parents choose the curriculum and teaching approach, as long as they meet the state’s notice, record, and testing rules.
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 North Carolina?
Homeschooling is legal, but families must open the homeschool properly and keep up with annual testing and records.
Do North Carolina homeschool parents have to notify the state?
Yes. Parents usually file a Notice of Intent to operate a home school before beginning.
What subjects are required in North Carolina?
No specific subject list is spelled out in the homeschool statute
Does North Carolina require homeschool testing?
Yes. Students must take a nationally standardized test or other equivalent national standardized measure each year.
Start with the full state checklist
If you are new to homeschooling in North Carolina, read the step-by-step startup guide before handling forms or curriculum decisions.
How to homeschool in North CarolinaSources for North Carolina
- https://www.doa.nc.gov/divisions/non-public-education/home-schools
- https://www.doa.nc.gov/divisions/non-public-education/home-school-requirements-recommendations
- https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/ByArticle/Chapter_115C/Article_39.html
- https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_115C/GS_115C-563.html
- HSLDA state law summary
Last verified: 2026-04-20. Last updated: 2026-04-20.