Homeschooling in Iowa: what the state requires
The rules for homeschooling in Iowa, in plain English, from the state’s own sources.
Checked October 1, 2026 against official Iowa sources. State page: Iowa Department of Education — Homeschooling (Private Instruction). Compulsory school age: Age 6 through under 16 by September 15 (Iowa Code §299.1A); younger children enrolled in school programs may also be covered.
- Independent private instruction (IPI) (Iowa Code §299A.1)
- Competent private instruction by parent, without reporting (CPI Option #2 opt-out; Iowa Code §299A.3)
- Competent private instruction by parent, with reporting (CPI Option #2; Iowa Code §§299.4, 299A.3, 299A.4)
- Competent private instruction by a licensed practitioner, incl. home school assistance program (CPI Option #1; Iowa Code §299A.2)
Independent private instruction (IPI) (Iowa Code §299A.1)
Unaccredited, tuition-free instruction of no more than four unrelated students; no Form A, no assessment; reports only if requested.
For every child
| Notice or registration | Not required. No Form A. On request of the superintendent or Department of Education, must provide a report identifying the primary instructor, location, name of the responsible authority, and names of students. |
|---|---|
| Required subjects | mathematics, reading and language arts, science, social studies — Instruction in these subjects for students in all grade levels. |
| Days | No minimum days in the IPI definition (the 148-day rule applies to CPI). |
| Hours | None stated. |
| Testing or evaluation | Not required. No annual assessment; families may arrange one at their own expense (handbook). |
| Records | No state-required records beyond the on-request report. |
| Teacher | No qualification required. |
| Other | Must have not more than four unrelated students, charge no tuition, fees or other remuneration, and have private or religious-based instruction as its primary purpose. Exempt from all state school statutes and rules except chapters 299 and 299A. Handbook: no immunization evidence required; no dual enrollment for academics, activities or special education. |
By grade
Subjects by grade: Instruction in these subjects for students in all grade levels.
High school and graduation
Iowa DOE does not issue diplomas or keep completion records for homeschoolers; family may create a certificate of completion.
Official sources:
Competent private instruction by parent, without reporting (CPI Option #2 opt-out; Iowa Code §299A.3)
Parent teaches at home for 148 days without filing Form A or submitting assessments; no dual enrollment.
For every child
| Notice or registration | Not required. §299A.3 says a parent providing CPI 'may meet' the reporting and evaluation requirements. Handbook: this pathway does not require filing Form A, submitting curriculum documentation, or proof of adequate annual progress. |
|---|---|
| Required subjects | reading/language arts, mathematics, science, social studies — Per the Iowa DOE handbook. |
| Days | 148 days — 148 days during a school year, at least 37 days each school quarter (§299A.1). |
| Hours | Instruction provided on a daily basis; no hour count. |
| Testing or evaluation | Not required. Not required under the opt-out pathway (handbook). Note: §299A.4(1) states each child receiving CPI 'shall' be evaluated annually by May 31; the DOE treats this as applying only when the parent elects reporting. |
| Records | Family keeps its own records; none submitted. |
| Teacher | Parent, guardian or legal custodian; no license required. |
| Other | No dual enrollment or other district interaction (handbook). |
By grade
No rule in this option changes with the grade.
High school and graduation
Iowa DOE does not issue diplomas; family may issue a certificate of completion. A district diploma is a resident-district decision.
Official sources:
Not confirmed on an official state page yet: Apparent tension between §299A.4(1) ('shall be evaluated annually') and §299A.3 ('may meet'); recorded per the Iowa DOE handbook.
Competent private instruction by parent, with reporting (CPI Option #2; Iowa Code §§299.4, 299A.3, 299A.4)
Parent files Form A and has the child assessed annually; required for dual enrollment in the public school.
For every child
| Notice or registration | Required. By September 1 of the school year (handbook: by September 1 of the year seeking to dual enroll; within 14 days of withdrawal from an accredited school) — Form A (in duplicate, on district forms) to the resident district: child's name and age, period of instruction, outline of course of study (subjects, lesson plans, time allocations), texts, instructor name and address. First-time CPI: immunization evidence and, for elementary students, blood lead test. |
|---|---|
| Required subjects | reading/language arts, mathematics, science, social studies |
| Days | 148 days — 148 days, at least 37 per school quarter. |
| Hours | Daily instruction; no hour count. |
| Records | Required. Form A and evaluation results submitted; district keeps Form A five years. |
| Teacher | Parent, guardian or legal custodian; no license required. |
| Other | Immunization evidence required for dual-enrolled students. |
By grade
Testing or evaluation in grade 6. Annual evaluation by May 31: a nationally recognized standardized achievement test from the DOE-approved list (e.g., ITBS Forms E/F, TerraNova 3, Stanford 10, ISASP), or a portfolio reviewed by a licensed Iowa practitioner. Results to the district and DOE by August 1. Adequate progress: above the 30th percentile nationally in reading, math and language arts (grade 6+ also science and social studies) and six months' progress or at/above grade level. Baseline evaluation at age 7 or when newly placed.
High school and graduation
Iowa DOE does not issue diplomas; a diploma from the resident district is a local decision.
Official sources:
- Iowa Code §299.4 Reports as to private instruction
- Iowa Code §299A.3
- Iowa Code §299A.4 Evaluation
- Iowa Code chapter 299A (2026)
- Iowa DOE Private Instruction Handbook (Aug 2026)
Competent private instruction by a licensed practitioner, incl. home school assistance program (CPI Option #1; Iowa Code §299A.2)
Instruction by (or supervised by) a person with an Iowa teaching license appropriate to the grades taught — a parent with a license, a hired teacher, or a district/accredited nonpublic home school assistance program (HSAP).
For every child
| Notice or registration | Required. By September 1 (§299.4); HSAP by September 15 — Form A to the resident district for CPI under §299A.2 that is not in an accredited school or HSAP. HSAP families: Form A by September 15 (handbook). |
|---|---|
| Required subjects | reading/language arts, mathematics, science, social studies |
| Days | 148 days — 148 days, at least 37 per school quarter. |
| Hours | Daily instruction; no hour count. |
| Testing or evaluation | Not required. Handbook: annual assessment optional (may request one at no cost); an HSAP may require it as a condition of participation. |
| Records | Required. Form A filed; instructor maintains records. HSAP supervising teacher contacts: four times each nine weeks or every 45 days of instruction, two in person. |
| Teacher | Valid Iowa license or certificate from the Board of Educational Examiners appropriate to the ages and grades taught. |
| Other | Immunization evidence required if dual enrolled. §§299A.3-299A.7 do not apply except reporting for instruction outside a program. |
By grade
No rule in this option changes with the grade.
High school and graduation
Iowa DOE does not issue diplomas; district diploma is a local decision.
Official sources:
High school: the public-school diploma as a guide
Optional for homeschools in most states, but the credit plan most colleges and employers recognize, and a sound default for a homeschool transcript. Shown in the subject areas this site uses.
| English English-language arts 4 | 4.0 |
| Mathematics | 3.0 |
| Science | 3.0 |
| Social Studies | 3.0 |
| Physical Education & Health | 1.0 |
| Total | 14.0 |
|---|
Units. No statewide total; districts set their own total and additional requirements. Social studies includes 1 unit American history and 1/2 unit government. Also CPR certification by end of grade 12 and passing a civics test (60%). Financial literacy 1/2 unit must be taught but is a local graduation decision. Reflects 2024 legislative changes (DOE FAQ dated June 22, 2026).
Source: Iowa DOE High School Education Program and Graduation Requirements (June 22, 2026)
After graduation: what to plan for
Suggestions from Homeschool Corral, not state rules. Most families keep the college path open through 10th grade, then narrow.
- 4 English, 4 math (through Algebra II, pre-calculus if they can), 3–4 science with 2 labs, 3–4 social studies, 2–3 years of one foreign language, 1 fine arts
- A one-paragraph description for every high-school course; the parent signs the transcript and diploma
- PSAT in 10th and 11th; SAT or ACT by spring of 11th; dual credit, AP or CLEP where it fits
- A log of activities, service and work from 9th grade; two adults who can recommend them
- A Scholarship Finder profile by 11th grade; FAFSA when it opens in the fall of 12th
- A diploma and transcript with 4 English, 3 math, 3 science, 3 social studies; applied math every year
- Dual-credit career and technical courses in 11th–12th; OSHA 10 and first aid/CPR; a driver’s license
- Real projects and a part-time job logged as credits, with references; visit the union hall about pre-apprenticeships in 11th
- A parent-issued diploma and full transcript, signed and dated; recruiters ask for both
- Strong reading and arithmetic for the entrance test; a practice ASVAB in 11th
- Physical fitness as a logged course; service and leadership; for an academy or ROTC, the college list plus the SAT/ACT early
- The diploma and transcript anyway; personal finance and business basics as credits
- Work experience logged with hours and a reference from 10th grade; typing, spreadsheets, a clear email
- Keep the college path open: a foreign language and Algebra II cost little now
My Homeschool turns these into a checklist for each child, with the credits recorded in Transcripts counted against the plan.
Iowa Code §256.7(26): four years English/language arts, three years mathematics, three years science, three years social studies (https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/256.7.pdf).
This is a plain-English summary of the state’s official sources, checked on the date shown. It is not legal advice, and laws change. Read the linked official pages, and check with the state or your local school district if anything is unclear.
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