Your state guide · 2026
New Jersey homeschool laws
Last verified · View official sources
The short answer
New Jersey allows children to receive equivalent instruction outside of school, which includes teaching at home.
Editorial category; see the guide.
Not specified in state law
See requirements for options and exceptions.
See the full guide for age exceptions.
Regulation level
N · NoneView regulation data
| State | Category |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | None |
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
Not requiredNo routine notice is required. The Department of Education encourages parents to tell the local board. A transfer form is needed when withdrawing an enrolled high school student, and a statement is needed in some cases after a district refuses to register a child.
Subjects
RequiredNot specified in state law
Hours / days
Not specifiedNot specified in state law for instruction elsewhere than at school. Children attending school must attend all the days and hours the public schools are in session (N.J.S.A. 18A:38-26).
Testing / evaluation
Not requiredNot required. The Department of Education says boards may not test homeschooled children, and the children do not take state or district standardized tests.
Teacher qualifications
Not requiredNot required. The Department of Education says parents and other instructors do not need New Jersey teacher certification.
Records / portfolio
Not specifiedNot specified in state law
Immunizations
Not specifiedNot specified in state law
At a glance
- Compulsory education covers ages 6 to 16.
- No registration or notice is required in most cases.
- School boards cannot approve your curriculum or test your child.
- Parents do not need a teaching certificate.
- Sports access is up to the local board.
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 | 6–16 |
| Notice required | No |
| Filing deadline | Not specified in state law |
| Required subjects | Not specified in state law |
| Instruction time | Not specified in state law for instruction elsewhere than at school. Children attending school must attend all the days and hours the public schools are in session (N.J.S.A. 18A:38-26). |
| Parent qualifications | Not required. The Department of Education says parents and other instructors do not need New Jersey teacher certification. |
| Tests & assessments | Not required. The Department of Education says boards may not test homeschooled children, and the children do not take state or district standardized tests. |
| Records to keep | Not specified in state law |
| Immunizations | Not specified in state law |
How to start homeschooling in New Jersey
Parents do not have to register, and local school boards are not allowed to approve curricula or test homeschooled children. Parents are responsible for their child's education, and a board can ask for documentation only when it has credible evidence that a child is not being educated.
Choose your homeschooling option
Equivalent instruction elsewhere than at school. Parents provide instruction at home that is academically equivalent to public school, under N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25.
Check the notice rules
No routine notice is required. The Department of Education encourages parents to tell the local board. A transfer form is needed when withdrawing an enrolled high school student, and a statement is needed in some cases after a district refuses to register a child.
Check when and where to file
When: Not specified in state law
Where: The local board of education, when notice is given.
View steps as a table
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| 1. Choose your homeschooling option | Equivalent instruction elsewhere than at school. Parents provide instruction at home that is academically equivalent to public school, under N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25. |
| 2. Check the notice rules | No routine notice is required. The Department of Education encourages parents to tell the local board. A transfer form is needed when withdrawing an enrolled high school student, and a statement is needed in some cases after a district refuses to register a child. |
| 3. Check when and where to file | Not specified in state law The local board of education, when notice is given. |
Subjects to teach
- Not specified in state law
Sports & extracurricular activities
Up to the local board. The Department of Education says boards are not required to let homeschooled children take part in classes, extracurriculars, or sports.
Official forms & law
New Jersey Department of Education ↗
Statutes
Questions, answered.
What do I file to homeschool in New Jersey?
No routine notice is required. The Department of Education encourages parents to tell the local board. A transfer form is needed when withdrawing an enrolled high school student, and a statement is needed in some cases after a district refuses to register a child.
When do I file in New Jersey?
Not specified in state law
What assessments are required in New Jersey?
Not required. The Department of Education says boards may not test homeschooled children, and the children do not take state or district standardized tests.
Check the original
Sources and last checked
- New Jersey Statutes, official text files (N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25, -26, -31) ↗New Jersey Legislature, Office of Legislative Services
- Frequently Asked Questions: Homeschooling ↗New Jersey Department of Education
Last verified .