Your state guide · 2026
New Mexico homeschool laws
Last verified · View official sources
The short answer
New Mexico parents register a home school with the Public Education Department within 30 days of starting and renew by August 1 each year, usually through the department's online system.
Editorial category; see the guide.
Within 30 days of starting the home school, then on or before August 1 of each later year. The yearly filing window opens June 1.
See requirements for options and exceptions.
See the full guide for age exceptions.
Regulation level
L · LowView regulation data
| State | Category |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | 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 home school registration listing the school district, the parents' or guardians' names, the home address, and each child's name, birth date, gender and grade, with a signed statement that the instructor has at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
Subjects
RequiredReading; Language arts; Mathematics; Social studies; Science
Hours / days
Not specifiedNot specified in the home school law. The department's form and FAQ point to the public school minimum of 1,140 instructional hours a year (550 for half-day kindergarten).
Testing / evaluation
Not specifiedNot specified in state law. The department says home school students do not have to take annual standardized tests.
Teacher qualifications
RequiredThe person giving instruction must have at least a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Records / portfolio
Not specifiedState law requires only immunization records or a waiver. The department recommends keeping transcripts, materials used, test scores and work samples to ease any later school transfer.
Immunizations
RequiredParents must keep a record of each child's immunizations or a waiver of that requirement.
At a glance
- Register within 30 days of starting
- Renew by August 1 each year
- Instructor needs a high school diploma or equivalent
- Five required subjects
- No state testing
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 | 5–18 |
| Notice required | Yes |
| Filing deadline | Within 30 days of starting the home school, then on or before August 1 of each later year. The yearly filing window opens June 1. |
| Required subjects | Reading; Language arts; Mathematics; Social studies; Science |
| Instruction time | Not specified in the home school law. The department's form and FAQ point to the public school minimum of 1,140 instructional hours a year (550 for half-day kindergarten). |
| Parent qualifications | The person giving instruction must have at least a high school diploma or its equivalent. |
| Tests & assessments | Not specified in state law. The department says home school students do not have to take annual standardized tests. |
| Records to keep | State law requires only immunization records or a waiver. The department recommends keeping transcripts, materials used, test scores and work samples to ease any later school transfer. |
| Immunizations | Parents must keep a record of each child's immunizations or a waiver of that requirement. |
How to start homeschooling in New Mexico
The program must teach reading, language arts, math, social studies and science, and the person teaching must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Parents keep immunization records or a waiver, and there is no state testing requirement for home school students.
Choose your homeschooling option
Home school. A home study program run by the parent of a school-age child that gives a basic academic education, registered with the Public Education Department.
Prepare your notice
A home school registration listing the school district, the parents' or guardians' names, the home address, and each child's name, birth date, gender and grade, with a signed statement that the instructor has at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
Open the official notice resource ↗Check when and where to file
When: Within 30 days of starting the home school, then on or before August 1 of each later year. The yearly filing window opens June 1.
Where: New Mexico Public Education Department, through its online home school system or the paper form if you cannot register online.
View steps as a table
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| 1. Choose your homeschooling option | Home school. A home study program run by the parent of a school-age child that gives a basic academic education, registered with the Public Education Department. |
| 2. Prepare your notice | A home school registration listing the school district, the parents' or guardians' names, the home address, and each child's name, birth date, gender and grade, with a signed statement that the instructor has at least a high school diploma or equivalent. |
| 3. Check when and where to file | Within 30 days of starting the home school, then on or before August 1 of each later year. The yearly filing window opens June 1. New Mexico Public Education Department, through its online home school system or the paper form if you cannot register online. |
Subjects to teach
- Reading
- Language arts
- Mathematics
- Social studies
- Science
Sports & extracurricular activities
The department says local districts must let home school students join sports and extracurricular activities if they meet the requirements, with eligibility questions going to the New Mexico Activities Association. Part-time enrollment in district courses is up to the district.
Official forms & law
New Mexico Public Education Department ↗
Forms & guidance
- Online home school registration ↗
- Notification of a Home School, paper form with statutes (PDF) ↗
- Home Schooling FAQs ↗
Statutes
Questions, answered.
What do I file to homeschool in New Mexico?
A home school registration listing the school district, the parents' or guardians' names, the home address, and each child's name, birth date, gender and grade, with a signed statement that the instructor has at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
When do I file in New Mexico?
Within 30 days of starting the home school, then on or before August 1 of each later year. The yearly filing window opens June 1.
What assessments are required in New Mexico?
Not specified in state law. The department says home school students do not have to take annual standardized tests.
Check the original
Sources and last checked
- Home Schooling ↗New Mexico Public Education Department
- Notification of a Home School (with statutes), revised 09/15/2026 ↗New Mexico Public Education Department
- Home Schooling FAQs ↗New Mexico Public Education Department
Last verified .