Wednesday, November 11, 2026
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North Carolina Homeschool Laws

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Last Updated On
byM Lycurgus

North Carolina defines a home school as a nonpublic school with the children of no more than two families. You have two ways to operate. First, you may run a qualified nonpublic school. Second, you may run a private church school or school of religious charter. The requirements are the same for both. School is required from age 7 until age 16. You file a notice of intent with the Division of Non-Public Education, or DNPE. You file it once, when you open the school. You also tell DNPE when you close it.

Day to day, North Carolina asks you to keep a few records. Your school must run on a regular schedule for at least nine calendar months. You must keep attendance and immunization records. In addition, you must give your child a nationally standardized test every year. Keep the scores for one year. State law does not set required subjects. Still, everyone who teaches must hold a high school diploma or its equivalent. State law does not give homeschoolers a right to join public school sports. For full details on each topic, open the sections below.

Your child must attend school between the ages of 7 and 16 (HSLDA: Compulsory School Age in North Carolina). Attendance at a nonpublic school that complies with Article 39 satisfies compulsory attendance if the school operates on a regular schedule, excluding reasonable holidays and vacations, during at least nine calendar months of the year (G.S. 115C-548 and 115C-556).

A “home school” is a nonpublic school consisting of the children of not more than two families or households, where the parents or legal guardians or members of either household determine the scope and sequence of academic instruction, provide it, and determine additional sources of instruction (G.S. 115C-563). A home school elects to operate under either Part 1 (private church school or school of religious charter) or Part 2 (qualified nonpublic school) of Article 39 and meets that Part’s requirements (G.S. 115C-564; HSLDA: How to Comply with North Carolina’s Homeschool Law).

Yes. A home school must give a nationally standardized test, or another nationally standardized equivalent measurement, at least once every school year. The test must measure achievement in English grammar, reading, spelling, and mathematics. The school keeps the test results for one year, available at its principal office at all reasonable times for annual inspection by a duly authorized representative of the State (G.S. 115C-549, 115C-557, and 115C-564). HSLDA notes that the law gives state officials no right to enter your home or to inspect records other than test scores (HSLDA).

None are listed in the home school provisions of Article 39 (G.S. Chapter 115C, Article 39). HSLDA lists no state-mandated subjects (HSLDA: North Carolina Homeschool Laws).

Yes. A new school sends a notice of intent to operate, with the school’s name and address and the name of its owner and chief administrator, to the Division of Non-Public Education (G.S. 115C-552 and 115C-560). You file it once, when you open the school. HSLDA notes the normal route is online through the DNPE website (DNPE online home school notice of intent; HSLDA).

When you stop homeschooling or leave the state, you must notify DNPE that the school has closed. HSLDA recommends logging into your DNPE account once a year to confirm the school is still active (HSLDA).

Yes. Each school must make and maintain annual attendance and disease immunization records for each pupil. The school must run on a regular schedule, excluding reasonable holidays and vacations, for at least nine calendar months of the year (G.S. 115C-548 and 115C-556). DNPE offers an optional attendance form, but its use is not mandatory (HSLDA; NC DNPE).

None. A home school may qualify as a qualified nonpublic school under G.S. 115C-555 (for example, one that receives no State funding) or as a private church school or school of religious charter. HSLDA states that the requirements are the same either way (HSLDA).

The persons providing academic instruction in a home school must hold at least a high school diploma or its equivalent (G.S. 115C-564; HSLDA).

Not by state law. HSLDA reports that North Carolina has no law granting homeschooled students the right to take part in public school classes and activities. Individual schools and districts decide, and policies vary (HSLDA: Public School Access for Homeschoolers in North Carolina). A home school student must be allowed to take the PSAT/NMSQT or PreACT and advanced course examinations offered by the local school administrative unit, under the conditions in G.S. 115C-565.1 (Article 39).

Yes. A home school must keep immunization records for each pupil (G.S. 115C-548 and 115C-556). HSLDA notes that medical and religious exemption information is available from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (HSLDA).

HSLDA reports that DNPE has tried to make home visits and to arrange record review meetings, but that the statute gives DNPE no right to enter homes, to inspect records other than test scores, or to require attendance at record review meetings (HSLDA). HSLDA recommends contacting it if you face either situation.

Last reviewed: November 11, 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.

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