Your state guide · 2026
Nebraska homeschool laws
Last verified · View official sources
The short answer
Nebraska treats a home school as an exempt school, a private school that opts out of state approval and accreditation.
Editorial category; see the guide.
When the exempt school begins, then every year by July 15 for each year the school operates. A family delaying entry of a child who turns 7 during the school year must file before the child's seventh birthday.
See requirements for options and exceptions.
See the full guide for age exceptions.
Regulation level
L · LowView regulation data
| State | Category |
|---|---|
| Nebraska | Low |
Your requirements
A practical checklist
“Not specified” means a single yes/no requirement is not explicit in the supplied information. Read each detail for options and exceptions.
Notice
RequiredA signed Statement of Election and Assurances from each parent or guardian, giving either a religious reason or a reason tied to the family's own education decisions for opting out of state approval, plus an Authorized Parent Representative form. On first enrollment the parent also gives the department a certified birth certificate or other proof of the child's identity and age.
Subjects
RequiredLanguage arts; Mathematics; Science; Social studies; Health
Hours / days
Not requiredState statute sets no hours for exempt schools. The department's Rule 13 and filing guidance require at least 1,032 hours a year for elementary grades (K-8) and 1,080 hours for secondary grades (9-12), prorated for mid-year starts.
Testing / evaluation
Not specifiedNot specified in state law. The department says standardized testing is not required of exempt school students.
Teacher qualifications
Not specifiedNo teaching certificate is required. The parent affirms they are satisfied that the people monitoring instruction are qualified in basic skills, and no one who teaches or monitors instruction may have a felony conviction under certain listed sex, child abuse and related offenses.
Records / portfolio
Not specifiedState law requires only the annual filings and attendance reporting. The department recommends keeping attendance records and a transcript of classes with grades, but says Rule 13 does not address record retention.
Immunizations
Not specifiedChildren must meet the state's school immunization rules unless the statement of election gives a religious reason. Records are kept by the family and are not sent to the department.
At a glance
- File with the state by July 15 each year
- Five required subjects
- 1,032/1,080 hours a year under Rule 13
- No state testing
- No teaching certificate needed
Requirements at a glance
Read the details for your chosen homeschooling option below.
Open the full requirements table
| Requirement | What to know |
|---|---|
| Compulsory school ages | 6–18 |
| Notice required | Yes |
| Filing deadline | When the exempt school begins, then every year by July 15 for each year the school operates. A family delaying entry of a child who turns 7 during the school year must file before the child's seventh birthday. |
| Required subjects | Language arts; Mathematics; Science; Social studies; Health |
| Instruction time | State statute sets no hours for exempt schools. The department's Rule 13 and filing guidance require at least 1,032 hours a year for elementary grades (K-8) and 1,080 hours for secondary grades (9-12), prorated for mid-year starts. |
| Parent qualifications | No teaching certificate is required. The parent affirms they are satisfied that the people monitoring instruction are qualified in basic skills, and no one who teaches or monitors instruction may have a felony conviction under certain listed sex, child abuse and related offenses. |
| Tests & assessments | Not specified in state law. The department says standardized testing is not required of exempt school students. |
| Records to keep | State law requires only the annual filings and attendance reporting. The department recommends keeping attendance records and a transcript of classes with grades, but says Rule 13 does not address record retention. |
| Immunizations | Children must meet the state's school immunization rules unless the statement of election gives a religious reason. Records are kept by the family and are not sent to the department. |
How to start homeschooling in Nebraska
Each parent signs a statement of election and assurances and files it with the Commissioner of Education when starting and again by July 15 every year. The program must teach language arts, math, science, social studies and health, and the department's Rule 13 sets 1,032 hours of instruction a year for elementary grades and 1,080 for high school. There is no state testing and no teacher certification requirement.
Choose your homeschooling option
Exempt school. A non-approved, non-accredited private school run by the family under section 79-1601, started by filing the statement of election with the Commissioner. It may be held outside the home and may include children from more than one family.
Prepare your notice
A signed Statement of Election and Assurances from each parent or guardian, giving either a religious reason or a reason tied to the family's own education decisions for opting out of state approval, plus an Authorized Parent Representative form. On first enrollment the parent also gives the department a certified birth certificate or other proof of the child's identity and age.
Open the official notice resource ↗Check when and where to file
When: When the exempt school begins, then every year by July 15 for each year the school operates. A family delaying entry of a child who turns 7 during the school year must file before the child's seventh birthday.
Where: Nebraska Commissioner of Education (Exempt School Program office), online or by mail or drop-off. Faxes and emails are not accepted.
View steps as a table
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| 1. Choose your homeschooling option | Exempt school. A non-approved, non-accredited private school run by the family under section 79-1601, started by filing the statement of election with the Commissioner. It may be held outside the home and may include children from more than one family. |
| 2. Prepare your notice | A signed Statement of Election and Assurances from each parent or guardian, giving either a religious reason or a reason tied to the family's own education decisions for opting out of state approval, plus an Authorized Parent Representative form. On first enrollment the parent also gives the department a certified birth certificate or other proof of the child's identity and age. |
| 3. Check when and where to file | When the exempt school begins, then every year by July 15 for each year the school operates. A family delaying entry of a child who turns 7 during the school year must file before the child's seventh birthday. Nebraska Commissioner of Education (Exempt School Program office), online or by mail or drop-off. Faxes and emails are not accepted. |
Subjects to teach
- Language arts
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social studies
- Health
Sports & extracurricular activities
State law does not grant access. The department says high school sports and some activities follow Nebraska School Activities Association bylaws, and other activities depend on local school board policy.
Official forms & law
Nebraska Department of Education, Exempt School Program ↗
Forms & guidance
- Online filing system ↗
- 2026/27 Statement of Election and Assurances (PDF) ↗
- 2026/27 Instructions and Forms Packet for paper filing (PDF) ↗
- 2026/27 Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) ↗
- Reporting Changes After the Initial Filing (PDF) ↗
Statutes
Questions, answered.
What do I file to homeschool in Nebraska?
A signed Statement of Election and Assurances from each parent or guardian, giving either a religious reason or a reason tied to the family's own education decisions for opting out of state approval, plus an Authorized Parent Representative form. On first enrollment the parent also gives the department a certified birth certificate or other proof of the child's identity and age.
When do I file in Nebraska?
When the exempt school begins, then every year by July 15 for each year the school operates. A family delaying entry of a child who turns 7 during the school year must file before the child's seventh birthday.
What assessments are required in Nebraska?
Not specified in state law. The department says standardized testing is not required of exempt school students.
Check the original
Sources and last checked
- Nebraska Revised Statute 79-1601 ↗Nebraska Legislature
- Nebraska Revised Statute 79-201 ↗Nebraska Legislature
- Exempt School [Home School] Program ↗Nebraska Department of Education
- 2026/27 Exempt School Program FAQs ↗Nebraska Department of Education
Last verified .