ND

Medium regulation

Can you homeschool without a degree in North Dakota?

Many parents worry they are not “qualified enough” to homeschool. The legal question is simpler: what does North Dakota actually require of the parent or teacher?

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.

Teacher qualification rule

The homeschooling parent generally must be the child's parent and have at least a high school diploma or GED. A state-certified teacher may also homeschool under the private school option.

Legal status

Homeschooling is legal in North Dakota. Most families homeschool under the state's home education law, and state-certified teachers may also use a private school option.

Curriculum freedom

Families have meaningful day-to-day flexibility, but they still need to cover the required subjects and meet the state's notice and instructional-time rules.

What still matters if no degree is required

  1. 1Check North Dakota's notice rule: Yes. Families homeschooling under the home education law generally file a statement of intent each year.
  2. 2Calendar the deadline: Generally at least 14 days before starting homeschool, or within 14 days of moving into the district, and again each year if you continue homeschooling.
  3. 3Build around required subjects: English language arts, Mathematics, Social studies, Science, Physical education, Health
  4. 4Keep records that match the state summary: Keep copies of your statement of intent and basic school records such as attendance, courses taught, work samples, and high school transcripts when applicable.
  5. 5Plan for testing or evaluation if required: No routine statewide testing is generally required for families homeschooling under the home education law.
  6. 6Use official source links before making a filing or deadline decision.

Related homeschool guides for North Dakota

These internal links connect curriculum, schedule, special-needs, testing, and state-law pages so parents can move from a search question to the legal checklist without starting over.

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.

View all downloads

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

Do I need a teaching degree to homeschool in North Dakota?

The homeschooling parent generally must be the child's parent and have at least a high school diploma or GED. A state-certified teacher may also homeschool under the private school option.

Do I need curriculum approval in North Dakota?

Families have meaningful day-to-day flexibility, but they still need to cover the required subjects and meet the state's notice and instructional-time rules.

What should I do first?

Yes. Families homeschooling under the home education law generally file a statement of intent each year.

Start with the North Dakota legal checklist

This guide is useful only if it sits on top of the actual North Dakota homeschool requirements. Review the state law hub before buying curriculum, changing schools, or setting deadlines.

North Dakota homeschool requirements