North Carolina homeschool checklist

North Carolina homeschool checklist (general information, not legal advice)

• File a Notice of Intent to Operate a Home School with the NC Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE, Dept. of Administration) — one per household, at least 5 business days before you begin; include school name/address, chief administrator, and proof the teacher has a high school diploma or equivalent. Do not begin until DNPE acknowledges receipt (typically 3–5 business days). Checked Oct 18, 2026.
• Timing: submit after July 1 for that school year; DNPE does not accept Notices of Intent in May or June. No Notice of Intent is needed if your child is under 7 and will not turn 7 during the current school year; if your child will turn 7 before June, file at least 5 business days before the 7th birthday. Checked Oct 18, 2026.
• Teach on a regular schedule for at least 9 calendar months of the year, excluding holidays and vacations. Checked Oct 18, 2026.
• Keep at your home school: annual attendance records, immunization records, and annual standardized test results (keep test results at least 1 year and show them to DNPE if requested). Checked Oct 18, 2026.
• Test every enrolled student every academic year with a nationally standardized achievement test covering English grammar, reading, spelling and mathematics — first test within the first 12 months after DNPE acknowledgment, then once in each following 12-month period. No minimum score is stated by DNPE. Checked Oct 18, 2026.

Source: NC Dept. of Administration, Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE) — How to Start a Home School + Standardized Testing pages, checked Oct 18, 2026 · Checked 2026-10-18. General information, not legal advice — verify with your district/state.