How to start homeschooling in New Mexico
Everything New Mexico 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 Mexico requires
A parent operates a home school, provides a basic academic program, and registers with the Public Education Department within 30 days of starting and each year by August 1.
Required school ages in New Mexico: School-age person: at least 5 before 12:01 a.m. September 1 of the school year; must attend until age 18 unless graduated, holding an equivalency credential, or granted a hardship waiver. Teacher qualification for this option: Instruction by a person possessing at least a high school diploma or its equivalent.
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 Mexico also asks for a notice under this option (the next step); file it by its deadline.
File your notice
Required.
When: Within 30 days of establishing the home school, then annually by August 1.
What it includes: Home school registration form (made available by PED) submitted to the New Mexico Public Education Department, online or by mail. Annual notification window opens June 1.
New Mexico names its own form, affidavit or filing for this. Use that where it’s required; our letter can go with it as a cover letter or a record.
Plan your school year: days and hours
New Mexico doesn’t set a number of days or hours for this option.
No day count in the home school statute. The home school statute does not state hours. NMPED's home school FAQ and notification form quote the public school minimum of 1,140 instructional hours per year (NMSA §22-2-8.1) under legal requirements without stating it applies to home schools.
Planning about 180 days, as schools do, gives the year a shape and makes a move to another state easier.
Cover the required subjects
Reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science.
Basic academic educational program including these subjects (NMSA §22-1-2).
Testing or evaluation
Not required under this option.
No mandatory standardized testing for home school students.
Keep the records the state asks for
Required.
Must maintain records of student disease immunization or a waiver of that requirement. Transcripts not legally required.
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
No state graduation requirements for home schools; parent-created or third-party diplomas possible (may not be recognized everywhere), or the high school equivalency exam from age 16, or transfer to a school for a state-recognized diploma.
Official sources for this option
Not confirmed on an official page: Statute text taken from NMPED's form reproducing the statutes; NMSA §22-1-2.1 not read from the official NMOneSource site. Whether the 1,140-hour public school minimum applies to home schools is unclear from official sources, so hours left null. 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 Mexico checklist
Homeschool Corral · How to start homeschooling in New Mexico · homeschoolcorral.com
- Read New Mexico’s rules for “Home school”
- Withdraw from school in writing (if enrolled), and keep a copy
- File the notice (Within 30 days of establishing the home school, then annually by August 1)
- Set the first and last day, school days and breaks
- Choose curriculum for each required subject
- Start the required records from day one
- Make a first-week plan and start
Questions New Mexico parents ask
Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in New Mexico?
Yes. When: Within 30 days of establishing the home school, then annually by August 1. What to file: Home school registration form (made available by PED) submitted to the New Mexico Public Education Department, online or by mail. Annual notification window opens June 1.
How many days or hours do homeschoolers need in New Mexico?
No day count in the home school statute. The home school statute does not state hours. NMPED's home school FAQ and notification form quote the public school minimum of 1,140 instructional hours per year (NMSA §22-2-8.1) under legal requirements without stating it applies to home schools.
Do homeschoolers have to take tests in New Mexico?
No mandatory standardized testing for home school students.
Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in New Mexico?
Instruction by a person possessing at least a high school diploma or its equivalent.
What subjects are required in New Mexico?
Reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science.
What records do I need to keep in New Mexico?
Must maintain records of student disease immunization or a waiver of that requirement. Transcripts not legally required.
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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