North Dakota · Detailed rules

Homeschooling in North Dakota

North Dakota 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 yearAt least 5 days before beginning homeschooling, or within 14 days of moving into a North Dakota school district. Then annually each subsequent year. File with the superintendent of the public school district where the child resides.

Yearly assessmentYes, each year

Instruction time175 days a year

RecordsYour choice

How to start homeschooling in North Dakota

Written from North Dakota'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
North Dakota asks families to file a notice before they begin. The deadline is: At least 5 days before beginning homeschooling, or within 14 days of moving into a North Dakota school district. Then annually each subsequent year. File with the superintendent of the public school district where the child resides. You will do this again at the start of every school year. It goes to North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI).
Cover the subjects the state names
North Dakota names 8 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. North Dakota does not require you to keep records, but a simple folder of work samples makes transcripts and college applications far easier later on.
Plan the yearly assessment early
North Dakota asks for an assessment each year. You can choose from: Standardized achievement test in grades 4, 6, 8, and 10 — the test used by the student's resident school district OR a nationally normed test requested by the parent; Exemption: Parent may opt out by notifying the district of a philosophical, moral, or religious objection to standardized testing; Additional exemption: If parent holds a teaching license, bachelor's degree, or has passed a national teacher examination, testing may be waived; If monitored by a ND certified teacher (required when parent lacks HS diploma/GED), the certified teacher may conduct the assessment. Deciding in the autumn which route you will take saves a scramble in the spring.

Source: North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) — www.nd.gov/dpi/familiescommunity/families/home-education. Checked March 2026.

Your notice of intent

Who receives it: North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI)
When it is due: At least 5 days before beginning homeschooling, or within 14 days of moving into a North Dakota school district. Then annually each subsequent year. File with the superintendent of the public school district where the child resides.
How often: Every school year
Notarized?: No
Official form: www.nd.gov/dpi/familiescommunity/families/home-education
Ongoing reporting: Yes, once a year

Source: North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) — www.nd.gov/dpi/familiescommunity/families/home-education. Checked March 2026.

Testing, portfolios and reviews

Assessment: Required each year
Ways to meet it: Standardized achievement test in grades 4, 6, 8, and 10 — the test used by the student's resident school district OR a nationally normed test requested by the parent
Exemption: Parent may opt out by notifying the district of a philosophical, moral, or religious objection to standardized testing
Additional exemption: If parent holds a teaching license, bachelor's degree, or has passed a national teacher examination, testing may be waived
If monitored by a ND certified teacher (required when parent lacks HS diploma/GED), the certified teacher may conduct the assessment
Named tests: Standardized test used by the resident school districtAny nationally normed standardized achievement test (if requested by parent)
Portfolio: Not required

Source: North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) — www.nd.gov/dpi/familiescommunity/families/home-education. Checked March 2026.

What you teach, and what you keep

Required subjects: English Language ArtsMathematicsScienceSocial Studies (including U.S. Constitution, U.S. history, geography, government; ND studies in grades 4 and 8)Health (physiology, hygiene, disease control, effects of alcohol, tobacco, narcotics)Physical EducationFine ArtsCareer and Technical Education (same subjects required in ND public schools)
Instruction time: 175 days a year
Who may teach: Parent must have a high school diploma or GED. If the parent does NOT have a HS diploma or GED, they must be monitored by a ND-certified teacher for at least the first two years of homeschooling. If the child's standardized test composite score falls below the 50th percentile during the monitored period, monitoring must continue for at least one additional school year.
Keeping records: No retention period is set. Keeping a simple folder is still worth doing.
Legal routes: Home education exemption under NDCC Chapter 15.1-23 — annual statement of intent to superintendent
Umbrella / cover schools: North Dakota Home School Association (NDHSA) maintains a list of co-ops and support groups. No formal umbrella school structure exists that alters state requirements.

Source: North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) — www.nd.gov/dpi/familiescommunity/families/home-education. Checked March 2026.

Sports, dual enrollment and life after high school

Dual enrollment: North Dakota University System campuses accept eligible high school students for dual credit. Homeschoolers must typically meet grade and age requirements and apply directly. The NDUS Running Start program is available to students who are partially enrolled in a public school.
Diplomas: Homeschooling parents issue their own diplomas and transcripts beginning in 9th grade. The diploma is legally valid in North Dakota. Credit documentation should include course name, grade, and hours.
College admissions: University of North Dakota (UND) and North Dakota State University (NDSU) accept homeschool graduates with ACT/SAT scores and a parent-prepared transcript. NDSU has a specific homeschool admissions policy page.
Support for additional needs: North Dakota public schools must offer evaluations and, where required by IDEA, equitable special education services to homeschooled students. Families should contact the district's special education coordinator. Withdrawal from public school ends FAPE obligations, but equitable participation services may be negotiated.

Source: North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) — www.nd.gov/dpi/familiescommunity/families/home-education. Checked March 2026.

Money your family can claim in North Dakota

No program on file yet

We do not have a verified North Dakota 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 North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) directly.

See the states where funding is confirmed →

Questions parents ask about North Dakota

Is homeschooling legal in North Dakota?

Yes. Homeschooling is legal in North Dakota. North Dakota has stricter homeschool regulations than most states. Koydo's compliance tracking tools are especially valuable here to avoid missing deadlines.

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

Yes. North Dakota requires families to file a Notice of Intent by At least 5 days before beginning homeschooling, or within 14 days of moving into a North Dakota school district. Then annually each subsequent year. File with the superintendent of the public school district where the child resides.. This notice must be renewed annually.

How many instruction days are required in North Dakota?

North Dakota requires 175 days a year.

What subjects are required by law in North Dakota?

North Dakota requires instruction in the following subjects: English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies (including U.S. Constitution, U.S. history, geography, government; ND studies in grades 4 and 8), Health (physiology, hygiene, disease control, effects of alcohol, tobacco, narcotics), Physical Education, Fine Arts, Career and Technical Education (same subjects required in ND public schools).

Does North Dakota require annual assessment for homeschoolers?

Yes. North Dakota requires annual assessment. Accepted methods include: Standardized achievement test in grades 4, 6, 8, and 10 — the test used by the student's resident school district OR a nationally normed test requested by the parent, Exemption: Parent may opt out by notifying the district of a philosophical, moral, or religious objection to standardized testing, Additional exemption: If parent holds a teaching license, bachelor's degree, or has passed a national teacher examination, testing may be waived, If monitored by a ND certified teacher (required when parent lacks HS diploma/GED), the certified teacher may conduct the assessment.

Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in North Dakota?

North Dakota has teacher qualification requirements: Parent must have a high school diploma or GED. If the parent does NOT have a HS diploma or GED, they must be monitored by a ND-certified teacher for at least the first two years of homeschooling. If the child's standardized test composite score falls below the 50th percentile during the monitored period, monitoring must continue for at least one additional school year.

Can homeschoolers participate in public school sports in North Dakota?

North Dakota does not have a statewide law guaranteeing homeschoolers access to public school sports. Participation may be at individual district discretion. Check with your local school district.

Source: North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) — www.nd.gov/dpi/familiescommunity/families/home-education. Checked March 2026.

Worth knowing about North Dakota

North Dakota is among the stricter Midwest states. Key requirements: annual notice to superintendent, 175 instruction days minimum (4 hours/day), parent must have HS diploma/GED (or use a certified teacher monitor), standardized testing in grades 4/6/8/10 (with opt-out for philosophical/religious objections or if parent holds a degree/license), and all subjects taught in ND public schools must be covered. The testing opt-out based on religious/philosophical objection is broad but must be formally declared.

Source: North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) — www.nd.gov/dpi/familiescommunity/families/home-education. Checked March 2026.

Who to ask in North Dakota

Regulator: North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI)
Official site: www.nd.gov/dpi/familiescommunity/families/home-education
Forms: www.nd.gov/dpi/familiescommunity/families/home-education

Free tools for your first year

Everything below works whether or not you ever pay us a penny. Use what helps with North Dakota's requirements and ignore the rest.

Transcript builderBuild a clean high-school transcript with GPA and credits, ready to send to a college.Paperwork generatorFill in your details and get the letter or affidavit your state expects, already worded for it.Printable worksheetsPrint practice pages by grade and subject for the days a screen is the wrong answer.Instruction day logTick off days as you go so the count is already done when your state asks for it.State fundingSee whether your state puts education money in your hands, and how to claim it.Starting guideThe whole first year in five steps, written for someone who has never done this before.

Other states

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This page was written from North Dakota's published rules and last checked in March 2026. Laws change between checks, so confirm anything you are about to file with North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI). This is information for families, not legal advice.

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