The North Carolina rules in plain English - notice, testing, records, and the dates families actually miss. Verified against the official sources below on 2026-10-18.
Before anything else: this is orientation, not legal advice. Requirements change and local offices have their own habits. The sources at the bottom are the authority - check them before you file.
Register once with the NC Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE): pick a school name, name a teacher with at least a high school diploma, file the notice of intent online.
Where it goes: NC Division of Non-Public Education (state-level, one-time registration)
A nationally standardized achievement test every year, in English grammar, reading, spelling, and math. Results stay in your records - provided to DNPE only if requested.
Subjects: Parent-directed; operate on a regular schedule
Records: Keep attendance and immunization records plus test results (at least one year) at the school; DNPE may inspect on appointment.
[Your name]
[Address]
[Date]
Dear NC Division of Non-Public Education (online),
I am writing to notify you of my intent to operate a home school under G.S. 115C-563 to -565 for my child, [student name], grade [X], for the [20XX-XX] school year.
Included: a school name and my qualification as teacher (high school diploma or higher).
Respectfully,
[Your name] · [phone] · [email]
Want this handled? The Records Office drafts your North Carolina notice or filing every year, keeps the deadline calendar, and builds the transcript and course descriptions colleges expect. Founding families: $99/year.
VERIFIED 2026-10-18 AGAINST THE SOURCES ABOVE · HOMESCHOOL RECORDS OFFICE · YOU ARE THE SCHOOL OF RECORD · THIS GUIDE IS ORIENTATION, NOT LEGAL ADVICE