Your state guide · 2026
North Dakota homeschool laws
Last verified · View official sources
The short answer
North Dakota parents can supervise home education after filing a statement of intent with the local superintendent at least five days before starting and again every year.
Editorial category; see the guide.
At least five days before home education begins, or within 14 days of moving into a district, then once every year.
See requirements for options and exceptions.
See the full guide for age exceptions.
Regulation level
H · HighView regulation data
| State | Category |
|---|---|
| North Dakota | High |
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 statement of intent with the child's name, address, birth date and grade; the supervising parent's name, address and qualifications; any public school courses and extracurricular activities the child plans to join; plus a copy of the child's immunization record and proof of identity.
Subjects
RequiredThe subjects state law requires public schools to teach. For elementary and middle grades these are English language arts, mathematics, social studies (U.S. Constitution, U.S. history, geography, government, and North Dakota studies in grades 4 and 8), science including agriculture, physical education, health, and computer science including cybersecurity.
Hours / days
Not specifiedAt least four hours a day for at least 175 days a year.
Testing / evaluation
RequiredIn grades 4, 6, 8 and 10 the child takes the district's standardized achievement test or, at the parent's request, a nationally normed test, given by a licensed or approved teacher, and results go to the superintendent. Parents who are licensed teachers, hold a bachelor's degree, passed a national teacher exam, or file a philosophical, moral or religious objection are exempt. A composite score below the 30th percentile triggers an assessment for a learning problem and, if none is found, a remediation plan.
Teacher qualifications
Not specifiedThe parent needs a high school diploma or GED. A parent without one may still home educate but must be monitored for the first two years by a state-licensed or approved teacher, who meets with the family about an hour a week and reports progress to the superintendent twice a year.
Records / portfolio
RequiredKeep a yearly record of courses taken and academic progress assessments, including any standardized test results, and hand it over on request if the child moves to a public school.
Immunizations
RequiredA copy of the child's immunization record must be filed with the statement of intent.
At a glance
- Statement of intent due 5 days before starting, renewed yearly
- 4 hours a day, 175 days a year
- Tests in grades 4, 6, 8 and 10 unless exempt
- Parent without diploma/GED is monitored for 2 years
- Can join district extracurriculars
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 | 7–16 |
| Notice required | Yes |
| Filing deadline | At least five days before home education begins, or within 14 days of moving into a district, then once every year. |
| Required subjects | The subjects state law requires public schools to teach. For elementary and middle grades these are English language arts, mathematics, social studies (U.S. Constitution, U.S. history, geography, government, and North Dakota studies in grades 4 and 8), science including agriculture, physical education, health, and computer science including cybersecurity. |
| Instruction time | At least four hours a day for at least 175 days a year. |
| Parent qualifications | The parent needs a high school diploma or GED. A parent without one may still home educate but must be monitored for the first two years by a state-licensed or approved teacher, who meets with the family about an hour a week and reports progress to the superintendent twice a year. |
| Tests & assessments | In grades 4, 6, 8 and 10 the child takes the district's standardized achievement test or, at the parent's request, a nationally normed test, given by a licensed or approved teacher, and results go to the superintendent. Parents who are licensed teachers, hold a bachelor's degree, passed a national teacher exam, or file a philosophical, moral or religious objection are exempt. A composite score below the 30th percentile triggers an assessment for a learning problem and, if none is found, a remediation plan. |
| Records to keep | Keep a yearly record of courses taken and academic progress assessments, including any standardized test results, and hand it over on request if the child moves to a public school. |
| Immunizations | A copy of the child's immunization record must be filed with the statement of intent. |
How to start homeschooling in North Dakota
Instruction must cover the subjects public schools teach for at least four hours a day and 175 days a year. Children take a standardized achievement test in grades 4, 6, 8 and 10 unless the parent qualifies to opt out, and a parent without a high school diploma or GED must be monitored by a licensed teacher for the first two years.
Choose your homeschooling option
Home education. A parent or legal guardian supervises the child's education at home under chapter 15.1-23 after filing the yearly statement of intent.
Home education for a child with a developmental disability. A qualified parent may home educate a child a licensed psychologist has found to have a developmental disability by filing a notice, the diagnosis and a services plan with the district.
Prepare your notice
A statement of intent with the child's name, address, birth date and grade; the supervising parent's name, address and qualifications; any public school courses and extracurricular activities the child plans to join; plus a copy of the child's immunization record and proof of identity.
Open the official notice resource ↗Check when and where to file
When: At least five days before home education begins, or within 14 days of moving into a district, then once every year.
Where: Superintendent of the child's school district of residence, or the county superintendent if the district has no superintendent.
View steps as a table
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| 1. Choose your homeschooling option | Home education. A parent or legal guardian supervises the child's education at home under chapter 15.1-23 after filing the yearly statement of intent. Home education for a child with a developmental disability. A qualified parent may home educate a child a licensed psychologist has found to have a developmental disability by filing a notice, the diagnosis and a services plan with the district. |
| 2. Prepare your notice | A statement of intent with the child's name, address, birth date and grade; the supervising parent's name, address and qualifications; any public school courses and extracurricular activities the child plans to join; plus a copy of the child's immunization record and proof of identity. |
| 3. Check when and where to file | At least five days before home education begins, or within 14 days of moving into a district, then once every year. Superintendent of the child's school district of residence, or the county superintendent if the district has no superintendent. |
Subjects to teach
- The subjects state law requires public schools to teach. For elementary and middle grades these are English language arts, mathematics, social studies (U.S. Constitution, U.S. history, geography, government, and North Dakota studies in grades 4 and 8), science including agriculture, physical education, health, and computer science including cybersecurity.
Sports & extracurricular activities
Home-educated children may join extracurricular activities through their resident school district, or an approved nonpublic school that allows it, under the same standards as full-time students. The choice is listed on the statement of intent, and state activities association transfer rules then apply.
Official forms & law
North Dakota Department of Public Instruction ↗
Forms & guidance
Statutes
Questions, answered.
What do I file to homeschool in North Dakota?
A statement of intent with the child's name, address, birth date and grade; the supervising parent's name, address and qualifications; any public school courses and extracurricular activities the child plans to join; plus a copy of the child's immunization record and proof of identity.
When do I file in North Dakota?
At least five days before home education begins, or within 14 days of moving into a district, then once every year.
What assessments are required in North Dakota?
In grades 4, 6, 8 and 10 the child takes the district's standardized achievement test or, at the parent's request, a nationally normed test, given by a licensed or approved teacher, and results go to the superintendent. Parents who are licensed teachers, hold a bachelor's degree, passed a national teacher exam, or file a philosophical, moral or religious objection are exempt. A composite score below the 30th percentile triggers an assessment for a learning problem and, if none is found, a remediation plan.
Check the original
Sources and last checked
- North Dakota Century Code chapter 15.1-23, Home Education ↗North Dakota Legislative Branch
- North Dakota Century Code chapter 15.1-20, School Attendance ↗North Dakota Legislative Branch
- North Dakota Century Code chapter 15.1-21, Curriculum and Testing ↗North Dakota Legislative Branch
- Home Education ↗North Dakota Department of Public Instruction
Last verified .