Nebraska · Some paperwork

Homeschooling in Nebraska

Nebraska asks you to file a notice before you begin. Here is what goes in it, when it is due, and what happens after.

VerifiedMarch 2026

Notice of intentFile every yearBy July 15 of each year the school will be in operation. File with the Nebraska Department of Education's Exempt School Program, online or by mail or drop-off (not both; no email or fax). Mid-year starts and new Nebraska residents have separate timing under NDE Rule 13. Under LB1027 (2024), only one parent, legal guardian, or educational decisionmaker needs to sign.

Testing or assessmentNot required

Instruction time1,032 hours a year

RecordsYour choice

How to start homeschooling in Nebraska

Written from Nebraska's own rules. If a step is missing below, it is because your state does not ask for it.

Withdraw from the school your child attends now
If your child is currently enrolled in a public school, tell the school in writing that you are moving to home education. Keep a dated copy for yourself — it is the record that closes out their enrollment.
Send your notice of intent
Nebraska asks families to file a notice before they begin. The deadline is: By July 15 of each year the school will be in operation. File with the Nebraska Department of Education's Exempt School Program, online or by mail or drop-off (not both; no email or fax). Mid-year starts and new Nebraska residents have separate timing under NDE Rule 13. Under LB1027 (2024), only one parent, legal guardian, or educational decisionmaker needs to sign. You will do this again at the start of every school year. It goes to Nebraska Department of Education (NDE).
Cover the subjects the state names
Nebraska names 5 subject areas to teach. How you teach them, in what order, and with which materials is entirely up to you.
Keep a light record as you go
Attendance, a few work samples each term, and a running list of what you covered. Nebraska does not require you to keep records, but a simple folder of work samples makes transcripts and college applications far easier later on.

Your notice of intent

Who receives it: Nebraska Department of Education (NDE)
When it is due: By July 15 of each year the school will be in operation. File with the Nebraska Department of Education's Exempt School Program, online or by mail or drop-off (not both; no email or fax). Mid-year starts and new Nebraska residents have separate timing under NDE Rule 13. Under LB1027 (2024), only one parent, legal guardian, or educational decisionmaker needs to sign.
How often: Every school year
Notarized?: No
Official form: exemptschool.education.ne.gov
Ongoing reporting: Yes, once a year

Testing, portfolios and reviews

No testing or assessment

Nebraska does not require a standardized test or an evaluator's review. Plenty of families still keep a folder of work through the year — not because the state asks, but because it makes a transcript or a college application far easier to put together later. A note from the state: No state-mandated testing. LB1027 (2024) removed the statute's allowance for rules providing for school visitation and regular achievement testing of exempt schools.

What you teach, and what you keep

Required subjects: Language ArtsMathematicsScienceSocial StudiesHealth
Instruction time: 1,032 hours a year
Who may teach: No teaching certificate, degree, or credential is required of you.
Keeping records: No retention period is set. Keeping a simple folder is still worth doing.
Legal routes: File a signed Statement of Election and Assurances to run an 'exempt school' under Neb. Rev. Stat. 79-1601 and NDE Rule 13, each year by July 15. The statement says the state's approval and accreditation requirements either violate sincerely held religious beliefs or interfere with the parent's decisions in directing the child's education.
Umbrella / cover schools: NDE's resources page lists private support groups, including Nebraska Christian Home Educators Association (NCHEA) and Nebraska Homeschool - The Home Educators Network (NH-HEN). NDE notes these are not affiliated with the department.

Sports, dual enrollment and life after high school

Public school sports: Nebraska has a law on this. Neb. Rev. Stat. 79-2,136 requires each public school board to let resident students in an exempt school take part in extracurricular activities on the same terms as public school students. For activities run by an athletics or activities association, the student must be enrolled in five credit hours offered by the district in any semester. Your exempt school sets the academic standards. Ask NSAA and your district for current rules.
Dual enrollment: Neb. Rev. Stat. 79-2,136 requires each school board to allow part-time enrollment, in courses the student selects, for resident students in an exempt school. Contact your district for its policies. NDE does not treat college courses that are part of your exempt school's program as dual enrollment.
Diplomas: The State of Nebraska does not issue high school diplomas to exempt school students. Some exempt schools create their own diploma; NDE does not collect or certify them, and the receiving school or employer decides whether to accept it. NDE suggests keeping a transcript. A person who passes the GED and meets eligibility criteria can request a diploma from NDE. High school grades need 1,080 hours of instruction a year (1,032 for elementary).
College admissions: College admissions requirements vary by institution. Check each college's current admissions page for its homeschool applicant requirements.
Support for additional needs: Special-education eligibility and services after withdrawal from public school depend on your circumstances and the applicable rules. Confirm with your school district or your state education agency.

Money your family can claim in Nebraska

No program on file yet

We do not have a verified Nebraska education savings account, scholarship, or tax credit for homeschooling families on file. That may mean the state has none, or it may mean we have not confirmed one yet — we would rather say so than point you at something we have not checked. State programs change often, so it is worth asking Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) directly.

See the states where funding is confirmed →

Questions parents ask about Nebraska

Is homeschooling legal in Nebraska?

Yes. Homeschooling is legal in Nebraska. Nebraska has moderate homeschool regulation — some requirements apply but they are generally manageable. Koydo can put the dates your state lists on your calendar.

Do I need to file a Notice of Intent to homeschool in Nebraska?

Yes. Nebraska requires families to file a Notice of Intent by By July 15 of each year the school will be in operation. File with the Nebraska Department of Education's Exempt School Program, online or by mail or drop-off (not both; no email or fax). Mid-year starts and new Nebraska residents have separate timing under NDE Rule 13. Under LB1027 (2024), only one parent, legal guardian, or educational decisionmaker needs to sign.. This notice must be renewed annually.

How many instruction days are required in Nebraska?

Nebraska requires 1,032 hours a year.

What subjects are required by law in Nebraska?

Nebraska requires instruction in the following subjects: Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Health.

Does Nebraska require annual assessment for homeschoolers?

No. Nebraska does not require formal annual assessment. Families may voluntarily track progress for college application purposes.

Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in Nebraska?

No. Nebraska does not require parents to hold a teaching certificate or any specific educational credential to homeschool their children.

Can homeschoolers participate in public school sports in Nebraska?

Nebraska has a law on this. Neb. Rev. Stat. 79-2,136 requires each public school board to let resident students in an exempt school take part in extracurricular activities on the same terms as public school students. For activities run by an athletics or activities association, the student must be enrolled in five credit hours offered by the district in any semester. Your exempt school sets the academic standards. Ask NSAA and your district for current rules.

Worth knowing about Nebraska

Nebraska requires a filing each year by July 15 with the NDE Exempt School Program (you get an acknowledgement letter, not an approval). LB1027 (2024) changed the law: curriculum information and instructional monitors no longer need to be reported to NDE, the allowance for rules on state visits and achievement testing was removed, and only one parent, legal guardian, or educational decisionmaker needs to sign. Elementary grades need 1,032 hours of instruction a year and high school grades 1,080. Instruction must lead to basic skills in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and health. NDE says Rule 13 is being revised after LB1027, so check its page for current forms. Filing is required (acknowledged by the Department, not approved).

Who to ask in Nebraska

Regulator: Nebraska Department of Education (NDE)
Official site: www.education.ne.gov/fos/exempt-schools/
Phone: (402) 471-0336
Forms: exemptschool.education.ne.gov

Tools for your first year

The free tools below work whether or not you ever pay us a penny; each tile says what it needs. Use what helps with Nebraska's requirements and ignore the rest.

Transcript builderBuild a clean high-school transcript with GPA and credits. Free copies carry a small Koydo watermark.No account needed Starting guideThe whole first year in five steps, written for someone who has never done this before.No account needed Printable worksheetsPrint practice pages by grade and subject for the days a screen is the wrong answer. A few free pages every day.Free with a Koydo account State fundingSee whether your state puts education money in your hands, and how to claim it.Free with a Koydo account Paperwork generatorFill in your details and get the letter or affidavit your state expects, already worded for it.Needs HomeSchool Premium Instruction day logTick off days as you go so the count is already done when your state asks for it.Needs HomeSchool Premium

Other states

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii All 51 →

Last checked in March 2026. Laws change between checks, so confirm anything you are about to file with Nebraska Department of Education (NDE). This is information for families, not legal advice.

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How to start homeschooling in Nebraska

Written from Nebraska's own rules. If a step is missing below, it is because your state does not ask for it.

Withdraw from the school your child attends now

If your child is currently enrolled in a public school, tell the school in writing that you are moving to home education. Keep a dated copy for yourself — it is the record that closes out their enrollment.

Send your notice of intent

Nebraska asks families to file a notice before they begin. The deadline is: By July 15 of each year the school will be in operation. File with the Nebraska Department of Education's Exempt School Program, online or by mail or drop-off (not both; no email or fax). Mid-year starts and new Nebraska residents have separate timing under NDE Rule 13. Under LB1027 (2024), only one parent, legal guardian, or educational decisionmaker needs to sign. You will do this again at the start of every school year. It goes to Nebraska Department of Education (NDE).

Cover the subjects the state names

Nebraska names 5 subject areas to teach. How you teach them, in what order, and with which materials is entirely up to you.

Keep a light record as you go

Attendance, a few work samples each term, and a running list of what you covered. Nebraska does not require you to keep records, but a simple folder of work samples makes transcripts and college applications far easier later on.

Your notice of intent

Who receives it

Nebraska Department of Education (NDE)

When it is due

By July 15 of each year the school will be in operation. File with the Nebraska Department of Education's Exempt School Program, online or by mail or drop-off (not both; no email or fax). Mid-year starts and new Nebraska residents have separate timing under NDE Rule 13. Under LB1027 (2024), only one parent, legal guardian, or educational decisionmaker needs to sign.

How often

Every school year

Notarized?

Official form

exemptschool.education.ne.gov

Ongoing reporting

Yes, once a year

Testing, portfolios and reviews

No testing or assessment

What you teach, and what you keep

Required subjects

Language ArtsMathematicsScienceSocial StudiesHealth

Instruction time

1,032 hours a year

Who may teach

No teaching certificate, degree, or credential is required of you.

Keeping records

No retention period is set. Keeping a simple folder is still worth doing.

Legal routes

File a signed Statement of Election and Assurances to run an 'exempt school' under Neb. Rev. Stat. 79-1601 and NDE Rule 13, each year by July 15. The statement says the state's approval and accreditation requirements either violate sincerely held religious beliefs or interfere with the parent's decisions in directing the child's education.

Umbrella / cover schools

NDE's resources page lists private support groups, including Nebraska Christian Home Educators Association (NCHEA) and Nebraska Homeschool - The Home Educators Network (NH-HEN). NDE notes these are not affiliated with the department.

Sports, dual enrollment and life after high school

Public school sports

Dual enrollment

Neb. Rev. Stat. 79-2,136 requires each school board to allow part-time enrollment, in courses the student selects, for resident students in an exempt school. Contact your district for its policies. NDE does not treat college courses that are part of your exempt school's program as dual enrollment.

Diplomas

The State of Nebraska does not issue high school diplomas to exempt school students. Some exempt schools create their own diploma; NDE does not collect or certify them, and the receiving school or employer decides whether to accept it. NDE suggests keeping a transcript. A person who passes the GED and meets eligibility criteria can request a diploma from NDE. High school grades need 1,080 hours of instruction a year (1,032 for elementary).

College admissions

College admissions requirements vary by institution. Check each college's current admissions page for its homeschool applicant requirements.

Support for additional needs

Special-education eligibility and services after withdrawal from public school depend on your circumstances and the applicable rules. Confirm with your school district or your state education agency.