How to start homeschooling in New Hampshire
Everything New Hampshire asks of a homeschool family, in order, from the state’s own sources, checked October 1, 2026. Each step links to a free tool that does it, and there’s a checklist to print at the end.
Step by step
Know what New Hampshire requires
Parents may educate their own children at home; a child receiving home education under RSA 193-A is exempt from compulsory public school attendance. Since July 1, 2026 a declaration is optional except on withdrawal from public school or to access public school programs, and the former subject, portfolio and evaluation rules are gone.
Required school ages in New Hampshire: 6 to 18 (at least 6 and under 18). Teacher qualification for this option: No parent qualification requirement.
If your child is in school now, withdraw in writing
Send the school a dated withdrawal letter saying your child will be educated at home, and keep a copy. New Hampshire doesn’t require a notice to homeschool, but when you withdraw from a public school the law asks for a short declaration of home education.
No notice to file
New Hampshire doesn’t require a notice or registration under this option.
A declaration of home education (child's name, date of birth, current address; parent signature; states the student is home educated and meets compulsory attendance requirements) is needed only when withdrawing from a public school or to use public school programs under RSA 193:1-c; otherwise none is filed. The law does not specify a recipient or deadline. Information submitted is confidential. Before July 1, 2026, notice within 5 business days of starting was required.
Plan your school year: days and hours
New Hampshire doesn’t set a number of days or hours for this option.
No minimum days; parents may set a flexible schedule.
Planning about 180 days, as schools do, gives the year a shape and makes a move to another state easier.
Cover the required subjects
New Hampshire doesn’t list required subjects for this option.
HB 1268 replaced RSA 193-A:4, which formerly required science, mathematics, language, government, history, health, reading, writing, spelling, history of the NH and US constitutions, and art and music appreciation. No subjects are mandated under the new text.
Testing or evaluation
Not required under this option.
RSA 193-A:6 (annual evaluation) repealed effective July 1, 2026.
Keep records anyway
New Hampshire doesn’t require records under this option.
RSA 193-A:6 (portfolio kept 2 years) repealed effective July 1, 2026. Officials may not adopt or enforce policies governing home educated students except for access to public school courses/programs (RSA 193:1-c).
Our suggestion: keep attendance, a reading log and a few work samples each year. A move to another state, a college, or a question from the district is much easier with them.
Start teaching
Put your books on a lesson schedule, and the planner spreads the lessons across your school days and moves them when a day is missed. Log attendance in a tap, and keep grades, a portfolio and a transcript as you go.
High school and graduation
Parent may sign an optional certificate of completion (child's name and date of birth, parents' names, completion date, parent signature). If submitted to the Commissioner of Education, the Commissioner issues a certificate of completion within 30 days (RSA 193-A:5).
Official sources for this option
Not confirmed on an official page: The online RSA 193-A page still shows pre-2026 text; current law taken from the HB 1268 chaptered text (approved July 10, 2026, effective July 1, 2026). The NH DOE 'Home Education Freedom Act FAQ' PDF returned 403 and could not be read. Recipient and deadline for the declaration on withdrawal are not stated in the bill. A specific NH DOE home education page URL was not confirmed. Check these points with the state or your local school district before you rely on them; everything else above comes from the official sources listed.
Your New Hampshire checklist
Homeschool Corral · How to start homeschooling in New Hampshire · homeschoolcorral.com
- Read New Hampshire’s rules for “Home education”
- Withdraw from school in writing (if enrolled), and keep a copy
- Set the first and last day, school days and breaks
- Choose curriculum for each required subject
- Start a simple attendance log and reading log
- Make a first-week plan and start
Questions New Hampshire parents ask
Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in New Hampshire?
No. New Hampshire doesn’t require a notice to homeschool, but when you withdraw from a public school the law asks for a short declaration of home education.
How many days or hours do homeschoolers need in New Hampshire?
No minimum days; parents may set a flexible schedule.
Do homeschoolers have to take tests in New Hampshire?
No. RSA 193-A:6 (annual evaluation) repealed effective July 1, 2026.
Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in New Hampshire?
No parent qualification requirement.
What subjects are required in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire doesn’t list required subjects.
What records do I need to keep in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire doesn’t require records. Keeping attendance, a reading log and work samples is still wise.
Keep going
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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