North Carolina

North Carolina has a specific homeschool statute that distinguishes homeschools from other private schools while placing them under the authority of the Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE).

Key Statutes

2023 Amendment

The definition was amended to explicitly allow parents to hire tutors, participate in co-ops and group instruction, and use experts outside the household (apprenticeships, specialized instructors).

Definition: "A nonpublic school consisting of the children of not more than two families or households, where the parents or legal guardians determine the scope and sequence of academic instruction."

Step 1: File Notice of Intent

File a one-time Notice of Intent (NOI) with the Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE).

• When: July through April (DNPE closed May-June)
• Timeline: At least 5 days before starting
• Required if: Child is age 7 or will turn 7 during the school year

Required Information:

• Name and address of school
• Name of chief administrator (parent)
• Proof of high school diploma or equivalent for all instructors

Step 2: Wait for Acknowledgment

Important: Do not withdraw your child from their current school or begin homeschooling until you receive written acknowledgment from DNPE.

Step 3: Choose Your School Name

Your school name will appear on your student's diploma (maximum 30 characters, cannot be changed after filing).

Step 4: Select Religious or Independent

Operate under either Part 1 (Private church school) or Part 2 (Qualified nonpublic school). Requirements are identical for homeschools.

What NC Law REQUIRES

What NC Law Does NOT Require

• No specific subjects (beyond what's tested)
• No minimum hours per day
• No curriculum approval
• No portfolio
• No evaluator review
• No minimum test scores
• No home visits

Every homeschool student must take a nationally standardized achievement test each academic year.

Required Subjects

• English grammar
• Reading
• Spelling
• Mathematics

Common Acceptable Tests

What to Do with Results

1. Keep on file at your homeschool for at least 1 year
2. Make available to DNPE upon request
3. Do NOT mail scores to DNPE unless specifically requested

Key Point: No minimum score required—DNPE only verifies that testing occurred.

Required Records

DNPE Record Review

DNPE randomly selects homeschools in their 2nd, 4th, 7th, and 10th years for Record Review:

• Conducted virtually (not in-person)
• DNPE verifies required records exist
• They do NOT evaluate quality of education
• They do NOT require specific curriculum

Note: DNPE has no authority to enter your home. Record Reviews are conducted outside the home.

Parent Authority

As a private school, you determine graduation requirements, required courses and credits, grading standards, and when to issue diploma.

North Carolina does not mandate specific graduation requirements for homeschools.

Creating Transcripts

Include: school name/address, student information, courses with grades, credits earned, test scores, GPA, graduation date, and administrator signature.

Issuing Diplomas

• You issue the diploma from your homeschool
• The state does NOT issue homeschool diplomas
• NCHE sells professionally printed homeschool diplomas

NCHE Statewide Graduation

North Carolinians for Home Education (NCHE) hosts an annual graduation ceremony in Winston-Salem each May, open to all NC homeschool graduates.

Driving Eligibility Certificate (DEC)

North Carolina requires all students under 18 to have a Driving Eligibility Certificate to obtain a learner's permit or driver's license.

Requirements

1. Homeschool registered with DNPE for at least 4 months
2. Student age 14-17 enrolled in your homeschool
3. Making adequate academic progress toward graduation

How to Obtain

1. Log in to your DNPE portal (dnpesys.nc.gov)
2. Click "Request a Driver's Eligibility Certificate"
3. Download and print the certificate
4. Sign as chief administrator (valid for 30 days)

Driver's Education

Students must complete an approved course: 30 hours classroom instruction + 6 hours behind-the-wheel training. Options include public school driver's ed or licensed private driving schools.

Sports: No State Law

North Carolina does not have a state law granting homeschoolers the right to participate in public school sports. Access is determined by individual school districts.

Current Landscape (2024):

• 79 of 115 districts allow sports participation
• 75 of 115 districts allow dual enrollment
• Only 9 districts explicitly prohibit sports

NCHEAC: Homeschool Athletics

The NCHE Athletic Commission (NCHEAC) provides organized sports for NC homeschoolers:

• Baseball, Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball, Golf, Cross Country, Swimming
• Teams compete against homeschool, private, and public schools
• NCHSAA sanctioned non-member status
• College scholarship opportunities

Eligibility: Must be registered with DNPE and take no more than 1 class at public/private school.

Compulsory Attendance Age

Ages 7-16 — Children must be in school from age 7 until age 16.

Withdrawing from Public School

1. File your Notice of Intent with DNPE
2. Wait for acknowledgment
3. Then notify the public school of withdrawal
4. You do NOT need permission

Co-ops and Group Learning

Explicitly permitted under the 2023 amendment: cooperative classes, 4-H instruction, expert instruction (apprenticeships), and tutors. Parent must still determine scope and sequence.

Immunizations

Must maintain records OR documentation of exemption:

• Medical exemption: Letter from licensed physician
• Religious exemption: Signed statement from parent

North Carolina offers a balanced approach to homeschool regulation—more oversight than Texas or Ohio, but far less than Pennsylvania or Massachusetts.

Advantages:

1. One-time NOI — File once, not annually
2. No curriculum approval — Complete freedom in what you teach
3. No portfolio — Just test scores and attendance
4. Testing flexibility — Any time during year, no minimum scores
5. Strong homeschool community — NCHE provides excellent support
6. Organized athletics — NCHEAC competitive sports leagues
7. Increasing public school access — Most districts now allow participation

Comparison Table

*Texas only requires notification if withdrawing from public school