Nebraska Homeschool Laws
Nebraska treats a homeschool as a private school that elects not to meet accreditation or approval requirements. That is the state’s one option, often called an exempt school. School is required from age 6 (if the child turns 6 by December 31) until age 18. First, set up the exempt school with the Nebraska Department of Education. Then, enroll your children and file the required forms. You may file online or on paper.
Day to day, teach language arts, math, science, social studies, and health. Parents must be satisfied that the instructors are qualified. The state sets no other teacher credentials. There is no state testing. File a Statement of Election and Assurances and an Authorized Parent Representative form when you begin, then by July 15 each year. Also submit a certified birth certificate the first year. Immunizations apply for nonreligious exemptions unless you qualify for an exemption. Homeschoolers may take public school courses part-time and join extracurricular activities if they take at least five credit hours. For full details on each topic, open the sections below.
Enroll a child who will be 6 on or before December 31. If the child is 6 but will not turn 7 by December 31, you may obtain a one-year exemption by filing a notarized statement with the local district. Attendance continues until age 18. Early graduation uses Form D with NDE; a child over 16 who has not graduated may seek an exemption with notarized Form C (HSLDA: Compulsory School Age in Nebraska).
Nebraska has one option: an exempt private school that elects not to meet accreditation or approval requirements for religious or nonreligious reasons (HSLDA: Nebraska Homeschool Laws; Nebraska Department of Education: Exempt Schools).
Language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and health, as affirmed on the Statement of Election and Assurances under Neb. Rev. Stat. 79-1601 (HSLDA: How to Comply with Nebraska’s Homeschool Law).
File promptly when you begin, and by July 15 each year thereafter: (1) a Statement of Election and Assurances (Rule 13 Form A), listing parent or educational decisionmaker contact information and students, the reason for exemption, and an affirmation that you will teach the required subjects; and (2) an Authorized Parent Representative form (Rule 13 Form B) about the school and its dates of operation. The first year, also submit a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate or other reliable proof of identity and age with an affidavit (HSLDA; NDE Exempt Schools).
The how-to guide focuses on the annual NDE filings rather than a separate attendance log (HSLDA). Keep copies of all filings.
None beyond filing as an exempt school with NDE (HSLDA).
Parents must affirm they are satisfied the instructors are qualified to monitor instruction in the required skills. Nebraska does not require specific teaching credentials beyond that parent satisfaction (HSLDA).
Yes. Each school board must allow part-time enrollment for resident exempt school students for courses the student selects, and must allow extracurricular participation under district policies. Extracurricular participation regulated by an athletics association requires enrollment in five credit hours offered by the district that semester. The exempt school, not the public board, sets academic performance standards for activities and assures the district the student meets them (Neb. Rev. Stat. 79-2,136; HSLDA: Public School Access in Nebraska).
- HSLDA: Nebraska Homeschool Laws, How to Comply with Nebraska’s Homeschool Law, Compulsory School Age in Nebraska, and Public School Access for Homeschoolers in Nebraska
- Nebraska Department of Education: Exempt Schools; Neb. Rev. Stat. 79-2,136 (part-time enrollment and extracurricular activities)
Last reviewed: November 9, 2026
*The information on this page is for general use only. It should not be taken as legal advice. It is believed to be accurate however state and federal laws change every year. Homeschool.net recommends joining an organization such as the Home School Legal Defense Association before your homeschooling adventure begins. HSLDA can provide complete, accurate, legal advice and services for homeschooling families.
Update History
No changes in law noted since this page was first published.