How to start homeschooling in New Jersey
The legal steps, in order, checked against New Jersey law.
Short answer: New Jersey's compulsory education law lets a child receive equivalent instruction elsewhere than at school, which includes the home. The Department of Education says the law does not require approval of the home program, teacher certification, or testing, and the local board of education is not authorized to review the curriculum. The department encourages, but in most cases does not require, a letter telling the local board of education that the child is being educated at home.
Checked against N.J. Stat. Ann. 18A:38-25, as quoted by the New Jersey Department of Education on Nov 8, 2026. Compulsory school ages: 6 to 16. This is what the law says, not legal advice.
Equivalent instruction elsewhere than at school
Parents or guardians who will provide their child with instruction at home that is academically equivalent to the local public school.
Steps
- Plan instruction that is academically equivalent to what the local public school provides for children of similar grades and attainments.
- The department encourages you to notify the local board of education in writing that you will educate your child elsewhere than at school, so questions do not arise about compliance.
- If you remove an enrolled student from high school, complete the district's transfer form, which asks about your intent to provide instruction elsewhere than at school.
- If a district refuses to enroll your child and you do not appeal, provide a statement saying whether the child will attend another district, a nonpublic school, or receive instruction elsewhere than at school.
- Keep your own records of the instruction you provide. The board of education may ask for documentation, such as a letter of intent, if it has credible evidence a child is not being educated.
| Notice to the state | No notice required |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Not confirmed in our check. Ask the state education department. |
| Time | Not confirmed in our check. Ask the state education department. |
| Parent qualifications | None required by law |
| Testing or evaluation | None required by law |
| Records to keep | Not confirmed in our check. Ask the state education department. |
The law: N.J. Stat. Ann. 18A:38-25, as quoted by the New Jersey Department of Education N.J. Admin. Code 6A:22-4.2(d), as cited by the New Jersey Department of Education
Leaving public school mid-year
The department says a parent who removes an enrolled student from high school must complete a transfer form that includes the intent to provide instruction elsewhere than at school. For other grades, the department encourages, but does not require, notifying the local board of education. It also says that withdrawing a child to homeschool is not, by itself, credible evidence of a violation of the law.
High school, transcripts and diplomas
The department says a child educated at home does not receive a state-endorsed high school diploma from the local board of education. A student may re-enroll in public school and be assessed for diploma eligibility, or may earn a New Jersey State High School Diploma by passing the GED test or by other routes the department lists.
Public school sports and activities
The department says the local board of education is not required by law to let a child educated at home take part in the school curriculum, extracurricular activities, or sports. The board may allow it at its discretion.
After the paperwork
Common questions
Do I have to tell the state I am homeschooling in New Jersey?
Not under the equivalent instruction elsewhere than at school route.
Is testing required for homeschoolers in New Jersey?
No. New Jersey law does not require testing under the equivalent instruction elsewhere than at school route.
What ages must be schooled in New Jersey?
Ages 6 to 16, per state law.
Sources
- N.J. Stat. Ann. 18A:38-25, as quoted by the New Jersey Department of Education
- Frequently Asked Questions: Homeschooling, New Jersey Department of Education
We read each source on Nov 8, 2026 and recheck every guide each quarter. Laws change. If something here no longer matches the state, write to us and we will fix it.