How to start homeschooling in Nebraska
The legal steps, in order, checked against Nebraska law.
Short answer: In Nebraska, a home school is called an exempt school: a private school that elects not to meet state approval or accreditation requirements. One parent files a signed statement of election and assurances with the Commissioner of Education by July 15 each year, and the department notifies the resident school district. The program must lead to basic skills in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and health.
Checked against Neb. Rev. Stat. 79-1601 on Nov 8, 2026. Compulsory school ages: 6 to 17 (a child who turns 6 before January 1 of the school year, until age 18). This is what the law says, not legal advice.
Exempt school (private school electing not to meet approval or accreditation requirements)
Parents who want to teach their children at home, alone or with other families, without state approval or accreditation.
Steps
- Choose a name for your exempt school and designate one parent representative.
- Complete the Statement of Election and Assurances, signed by one parent, legal guardian, or educational decisionmaker. It states that approval and accreditation rules violate your sincerely held religious beliefs or interfere with your decisions in directing your child's education.
- File with the Nebraska Department of Education by July 15 of each year, online through the Exempt School Program or by mail. Include a certified copy of each child's birth certificate the first year.
- Wait until the department has received your filing before beginning, and if withdrawing mid-year, before withdrawing the child. The department issues an acknowledgement letter and notifies your resident district.
- Maintain a sequential program of instruction leading to basic skills in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and health.
- Provide the minimum instructional hours the department lists: 1,032 hours for elementary grades and 1,080 hours for secondary grades between July 1 and June 30.
| Notice to the state | Yes To: The Commissioner of Education (Nebraska Department of Education, Exempt School Program Office) When: By July 15 of each year the school operates, or promptly when starting mid-year Official form |
|---|---|
| Subjects | A sequential program of instruction leading to basic skills in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and health |
| Time | The department lists 1,032 hours for elementary grades (K to 8) and 1,080 hours for secondary grades (9 to 12) per school year, July 1 to June 30. Hours may be prorated for a mid-year start. |
| Parent qualifications | No certification required. The parent must be satisfied that those monitoring instruction are qualified to monitor the basic skills. Anyone monitoring or providing instruction must not have been convicted of certain listed felony offenses. |
| Testing or evaluation | None required by law. The department says testing is not required and the state may not use achievement testing to evaluate exempt school students. |
| Records to keep | None required by law. The department advises keeping attendance records and a transcript of classes and grades. |
The law: Neb. Rev. Stat. 79-1601 Neb. Rev. Stat. 79-201 Neb. Rev. Stat. 43-2007
Leaving public school mid-year
The department says a parent may file mid-year and should file before withdrawing the child, since instruction may begin once the department has received the filing. It advises talking with local school officials first. The department, not the parent, gives official notice to the resident district. A parent who lets a child 16 or 17 stop attending must file a withdrawal form with the Commissioner promptly.
High school, transcripts and diplomas
The department says the state does not issue diplomas to exempt school students. Some exempt schools create their own diploma, and the receiving school or employer decides whether to accept it. A child under 18 who completes the exempt school's program is reported to the Commissioner on a completion form. A student who passes the GED may request a diploma issued by the department.
Public school sports and activities
No statute was confirmed. The department says interscholastic sports for grades 9 to 12 follow Nebraska School Activities Association bylaws. Public school districts must allow part-time enrollment of resident exempt school students under 79-2,136.
After the paperwork
Common questions
Do I have to tell the state I am homeschooling in Nebraska?
Yes, under the exempt school (private school electing not to meet approval or accreditation requirements) route, you notify the Commissioner of Education (Nebraska Department of Education, Exempt School Program Office) by July 15 of each year the school operates, or promptly when starting mid-year.
Is testing required for homeschoolers in Nebraska?
No. Nebraska law does not require testing under the exempt school (private school electing not to meet approval or accreditation requirements) route. The department says testing is not required and the state may not use achievement testing to evaluate exempt school students.
What subjects are required for homeschooling in Nebraska?
A sequential program of instruction leading to basic skills in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and health
What ages must be schooled in Nebraska?
Ages 6 to 17 (a child who turns 6 before January 1 of the school year, until age 18), per state law.
Sources
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 79-1601
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 79-201
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 43-2007
- 92 NAC 13 (Rule 13)
- Nebraska Department of Education, Exempt School [Home School] Program
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.