How to start homeschooling in Iowa
The legal steps, in order, checked against Iowa law.
Short answer: Iowa calls homeschooling private instruction and offers several routes. Under competent private instruction a parent may teach with no reporting at all, or may file Form A and complete an annual evaluation in order to dual enroll in the public school. Independent private instruction is another no reporting route that must answer a written request for basic information from the district or department.
Checked against Iowa Code 299A.1(2)(a) and 299A.3 on Nov 8, 2026. Compulsory school ages: 6 to 16. This is what the law says, not legal advice.
Iowa gives you 4 legal ways to homeschool. Pick one and follow its steps.
Option 1: Competent private instruction by a parent, with no reporting (CPI Option 2 opt out, the Private Instruction Exemption)
Families who want no contact with the school district and do not need public school classes, activities, or special education services.
Steps
- If your child is enrolled in a school, consider telling the district you are withdrawing to homeschool and the last day of attendance. The department says this is not required by law but helps avoid truancy concerns.
- Choose your curriculum and teach reading and language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.
- Provide instruction daily for at least 148 days during the school year, with at least 37 days each quarter.
- Do not file Form A. Note that this route gives up dual enrollment for academics, activities, and special education.
| Notice to the state | No notice required |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Reading and language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies, per the Iowa Department of Education. |
| Time | At least 148 days during the school year, with at least 37 days each school quarter. |
| Parent qualifications | None required by law |
| Testing or evaluation | None required by law |
| Records to keep | None required by law |
The law: Iowa Code 299A.1(2)(a) and 299A.3 Iowa Department of Education, Private Instruction Handbook
Option 2: Competent private instruction by a parent, with reporting or dual enrollment (CPI Option 2)
Parents without an Iowa teaching license who want their child to take public school classes, join activities, or receive special education services through dual enrollment.
Steps
- Complete Form A for each child and file it with your resident school district by September 1, or within 14 calendar days of moving or removing the child from an accredited school. It must be fully completed within 30 days.
- On Form A, give the child's name and age, the period of instruction, an outline of the course of study, texts used, and the instructor's name and address. A child placed under this route for the first time also needs evidence of required immunizations and, at elementary age, a blood lead test.
- Request dual enrollment by the same deadline if you want public school classes or activities.
- Provide instruction daily for at least 148 days, at least 37 days per quarter.
- Have your child evaluated by May 31 using an approved standardized assessment, or submit a portfolio reviewed by an Iowa licensed teacher you select and the superintendent approves. A child who is 7 or new to this route takes a baseline evaluation.
- Report the evaluation results to the district and the department by August 1 of the year after the school year.
| Notice to the state | Yes To: The resident school district (Form A) When: By September 1, or within 14 calendar days of moving or leaving an accredited school Official form |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Reading and language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies, with an outline of the course of study listed on Form A. |
| Time | At least 148 days during the school year, with at least 37 days each school quarter. |
| Parent qualifications | None required by law |
| Testing or evaluation | An annual evaluation by May 31, either an approved standardized assessment or a portfolio review by a licensed Iowa teacher. Adequate progress means scores above the 30th national percentile in reading, mathematics, and language arts (plus science and social studies from grade 6) and either six months of progress or at or above grade level. A district or area education agency must give the evaluation at no cost if asked. |
| Records to keep | Form A each year, and the evaluation results reported by August 1. |
The law: Iowa Code 299.4 Iowa Code 299A.3, 299A.4, 299A.6, 299A.8 Iowa Department of Education, Summary of CPI Timelines and Procedures
Option 3: Competent private instruction by or under a licensed practitioner (CPI Option 1)
Families where a parent holds an Iowa teaching license, who hire a licensed teacher, or who join the district's home school assistance program if one is offered.
Steps
- Choose a licensed Iowa teacher appropriate to your child's age and grade: yourself if licensed, a privately retained teacher, or the district's home school assistance program.
- If not in a home school assistance program, file Form A with your resident district by September 1, or within 14 calendar days of moving or leaving an accredited school.
- To join a home school assistance program, request enrollment by September 15 or within 14 calendar days of moving or leaving an accredited school. Districts are not required to offer one.
- Provide instruction daily for at least 148 days, at least 37 days per quarter, by or under the supervision of the licensed practitioner.
| Notice to the state | Yes To: The resident school district (Form A), unless the child is in a home school assistance program, which files its own report When: By September 1, or within 14 calendar days of moving or leaving an accredited school Official form |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Not confirmed in our check. Ask the state education department. |
| Time | At least 148 days during the school year, with at least 37 days each school quarter. |
| Parent qualifications | Instruction must be given or supervised by a teacher with a valid Iowa license appropriate to the ages and grade levels taught. A licensed practitioner may serve no more than 25 families or 50 children a year unless exempted. |
| Testing or evaluation | The annual evaluation and reporting rules in 299A.4 through 299A.7 do not apply to this route. |
| Records to keep | Form A each year when filed with the district. |
The law: Iowa Code 299A.1(2)(a)(1) and 299A.2 Iowa Admin. Code 281-31.3(2)
Option 4: Independent private instruction (IPI)
Families or small groups who want a non-accredited private or religious-based program with no routine reporting.
Steps
- Set up instruction whose primary purpose is private or religious-based instruction, that is not accredited and is not a nonpublic school.
- Teach mathematics, reading and language arts, science, and social studies at all grade levels.
- If the district superintendent or the director of the department asks in writing, provide a report naming the primary instructor, the location, the responsible authority, and the students.
| Notice to the state | No notice required |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Mathematics, reading and language arts, science, and social studies. |
| 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 | A report on the instructor, location, responsible authority, and students, only when requested in writing by the superintendent or department director. |
The law: Iowa Code 299A.1(2)(b) Iowa Department of Education, Homeschool Technical Assistance Based on 2026 Legislation (HF 2754)
Leaving public school mid-year
The Iowa Department of Education says families using the no reporting or IPI routes are not required to notify the district, but are encouraged to tell the district they are withdrawing and the last day of attendance so prolonged absence is not treated as truancy. Families using CPI with reporting file Form A within 14 calendar days of removing the child from an accredited school.
High school, transcripts and diplomas
The department summarizes 2026 legislation (HF 2754, new Iowa Code 299A.13 and 299A.14): a student who completes secondary education under CPI or IPI is deemed to have completed high school, the parent or instructor may issue a diploma and final transcript, and these must be accepted the same as public school documents for college admission, jobs, licensing, and state programs. The parent may sign documents verifying enrollment, status, and grades. A resident district may also choose to issue its own diploma if the student meets its graduation requirements.
Public school sports and activities
Yes, for children under competent private instruction who dual enroll. Iowa Code 299A.8 says a dually enrolled child may take part in district extracurricular activities on the same basis as public school children. The department says students must meet extracurricular eligibility rules, including taking at least four courses as documented on Form A, and that the no reporting route gives up dual enrollment.
After the paperwork
Common questions
Do I have to tell the state I am homeschooling in Iowa?
Not under the competent private instruction by a parent, with no reporting (cpi option 2 opt out, the private instruction exemption) route.
Is testing required for homeschoolers in Iowa?
No. Iowa law does not require testing under the competent private instruction by a parent, with no reporting (cpi option 2 opt out, the private instruction exemption) route.
What subjects are required for homeschooling in Iowa?
Reading and language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies, per the Iowa Department of Education.
What ages must be schooled in Iowa?
Ages 6 to 16, per state law.
Sources
- Iowa Code 299A.1(2)(a) and 299A.3
- Iowa Department of Education, Private Instruction Handbook
- Iowa Code 299.4
- Iowa Department of Education, Summary of CPI Timelines and Procedures
- Iowa Code 299A.1(2)(a)(1) and 299A.2
- Iowa Admin. Code 281-31.3(2)
- Iowa Code 299A.1(2)(b)
- Iowa Department of Education, Homeschool Technical Assistance Based on 2026 Legislation (HF 2754)
- Iowa Code 299.1A (compulsory attendance age)
- Homeschooling (Private Instruction), Iowa 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.