Homeschooling in North Carolina: Laws & Requirements (2026)

North Carolina provides homeschool families with a balanced regulatory framework—enough structure to ensure accountability, enough freedom to customize education for your children. You'll file initial paperwork with the Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE), operate for at least nine calendar months, and administer annual standardized testing. Beyond those requirements, you control the curriculum.

With over 101,000 registered homeschools statewide, North Carolina has one of the largest and most active homeschool communities in the country. This guide walks you through the specific requirements, helps you navigate the DNPE registration process, and shows you how to stay compliant without unnecessary stress.

North Carolina Homeschool Requirements at a Glance

Understanding North Carolina Homeschool Law

North Carolina classifies homeschools as "nonpublic schools consisting of the children of not more than two families or households." This legal definition places homeschools outside public school jurisdiction while establishing basic accountability measures.

The state offers two types of nonpublic schools: Part 1 schools (which include homeschools) and Part 2 religious schools. As a Part 1 homeschool, you operate under the Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE), which falls under the Department of Administration—not the Department of Public Instruction. This distinction matters because DNPE has limited oversight authority and cannot dictate your curriculum or teaching methods.

The law grants parents complete control over "the scope and sequence of academic instruction." That means you decide what subjects to teach, which materials to use, and how to structure your school days. The state's only content-related requirement is that your annual standardized test must cover English grammar, reading, spelling, and mathematics.

How to Start Homeschooling in North Carolina

Operational Requirements

Nine-Month Minimum: Your homeschool must operate on a regular schedule for at least nine calendar months of the year. This doesn't mean nine consecutive months—you can structure your academic year with reasonable holidays and vacations. What you cannot do is operate solely during summer for "grade recovery" purposes.

No Daily Hour Requirements: North Carolina specifies no minimum hours of daily instruction. The nine-month requirement focuses on consistent operation, not clock hours. DNPE recommends (but doesn't require) five hours of daily instruction as a general guideline. Most homeschool families find they accomplish more in fewer hours than traditional schools due to individualized attention.

Academic Year: The official academic year runs July 1 through June 30. Your first standardized test must be administered within your first academic year of operation, then annually thereafter.

Testing Requirements

North Carolina requires annual standardized testing using a nationally normed achievement test. The test must cover English grammar, reading, spelling, and mathematics—and must provide nationally standardized reporting scores (grade equivalent, age equivalent, or national percentile rank).

Approved Tests Include: - Stanford Achievement Test - Iowa Assessments - Terra Nova - MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) - ACT and SAT (high school, must include writing section) - PSAT and PreACT - Woodcock-Johnson

What You Need to Know: - No minimum score required. North Carolina doesn't mandate that students achieve any particular score—you can continue homeschooling regardless of results. - Parents can administer tests themselves, as long as the test publisher allows it. - Results stay private. Test scores are never recorded into state records and don't need to be shared with DNPE unless specifically requested. - Keep results for at least one year. DNPE recommends permanent retention, especially for high school students. - First test timing: Administer your first test within your first academic year of operation.

Public school "End of Grade" tests do not qualify—they're not nationally normed standardized tests.

Record-Keeping Requirements

North Carolina requires homeschools to maintain three types of records:

1. Immunization Records Keep disease immunization records for each student, or documentation of a valid exemption (religious or medical).

2. Attendance Records Maintain annual attendance records for each student. No specific format is required—a simple calendar or spreadsheet showing school days works fine.

3. Test Results Keep standardized test results on file for at least one year and make them available to DNPE upon request. For practical purposes, retain these permanently—they become valuable for high school transcripts and college applications.

You may receive periodic contact from DNPE regarding records review. Know this: officials have no legal right to enter your home or inspect materials beyond what the law specifies. If you receive a meeting request, you're not legally obligated to attend.

Essential Records to Maintain

High School, Graduation & Beyond

North Carolina doesn't issue homeschool diplomas—parents create and award their own. This is standard across most states and doesn't disadvantage your student. Focus on creating comprehensive transcripts that document courses, grades, and credits.

Creating Transcripts: List courses taken each year with grades and credit hours. For college applications, format your transcript professionally with your homeschool name and contact information. Include a course description addendum explaining your grading methodology and any notable achievements.

College Preparation: North Carolina colleges actively recruit homeschoolers. UNC system schools and private universities throughout the state have experience evaluating homeschool applicants. Key elements they look for: - Strong standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) - Well-documented transcripts showing rigorous coursework - Letters of recommendation from non-family members - Evidence of extracurricular involvement

Dual Enrollment: North Carolina's Career & College Promise program allows homeschool students to take college courses tuition-free at community colleges. This provides academic challenge, college credits, and an external transcript that strengthens applications.

Financial Assistance

ESA+ Program (Education Student Accounts): North Carolina's ESA+ program provides funding for students with documented disabilities. Award amounts range from $9,000 to $17,000 annually depending on the type and severity of disability.

To qualify, students must have an Eligibility Determination (IEP) from a North Carolina public school within the last three years and meet the federal IDEA definition of "child with disabilities." Funds can cover curriculum, tutoring, educational therapies, testing services, textbooks, and more.

Important: The Opportunity Scholarship program is for private school tuition only—traditional full-time homeschoolers are not eligible. Some families explore co-enrollment options with participating private schools to access portions of this funding.

Tax Considerations: Neither North Carolina nor the federal government offers tax credits specifically for homeschooling. However, some educational expenses may qualify for federal education credits if structured appropriately. Consult a tax professional for guidance.

For complete details on ESA+ eligibility and approved expenses, see our North Carolina Homeschool Funding Guide.

Sports and Extracurricular Access

Unfortunately, North Carolina provides no guaranteed access for homeschool students to public school athletics or extracurricular activities. The state is among a small handful that offers zero access provisions for homeschoolers.

Some individual districts may allow participation at their discretion, but this is rare and not guaranteed. If public school sports access is important to your family, check with your specific district—but don't count on it.

Alternatives: Most NC homeschool families find rich opportunities through the state's extensive network of homeschool sports leagues, co-ops, and community programs. NCHE (North Carolinians for Home Education) maintains resources and connects families with local groups. Community sports leagues, church programs, and private clubs provide additional options.

Special Needs Homeschooling

Homeschooled students in North Carolina are not eligible for public school IEPs because they've opted out of public education. There's no state law granting homeschool students a right to state-funded special education services.

However, several options exist:

ESA+ Program: Provides $9,000-$17,000 annually for students with documented disabilities. Funds can cover specialized therapies, tutoring, curriculum adaptations, and testing accommodations.

ECAC (Exceptional Children's Assistance Center): Offers support and resources for families of children with disabilities, including those who homeschool.

Private Evaluations: Many families obtain private evaluations to understand their child's needs, then tailor homeschool curriculum accordingly. This approach offers flexibility that rigid IEP structures sometimes lack.

The Bottom Line

Homeschooling in North Carolina requires manageable compliance steps: file your Notice of Intent with DNPE, operate for at least nine months annually, maintain basic records, and administer yearly standardized tests. Beyond those requirements, you have complete control over what and how you teach.

With over 101,000 registered homeschools, North Carolina offers one of the nation's most active homeschool communities. Local co-ops, NCHE conferences, and regional support groups provide connection and resources.

Your first step: visit the DNPE portal to file your Notice of Intent, then begin planning your curriculum and assessment approach.