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Iowa homeschool requirements

Iowa has two structures: Independent Private Instruction (IPI — no notice, no assessment) and Competent Private Instruction (CPI — file Form A by Sept 1, 148 days, annual assessment, with a reporting opt-out under Option 2).

Last reviewed June 5, 2026 · Sources below

Moderate regulation Notice required Instruction time by pathway Testing or evaluation by pathway
Another state:

Iowa homeschool requirements at a glance

Notice
RequiredWhere it goes: Local school district superintendent (CPI). IPI requires no proactive filing. When: CPI: Form A by September 1. IPI: no deadline (response only on request).
Required subjects
Mathematics, Reading, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies/History
Instruction time
Set by pathwayCPI: at least 148 days (≥37 per quarter). IPI: no minimum days.
Testing or evaluation
Yes — annualCompetent Private Instruction (CPI); Independent Private Instruction (IPI) is exempt — no assessment. CPI assessments are due May 31 (results to the district by Aug 1): grades K–5 cover reading/language arts/math; grade 6+ add social studies/science. CPI Option 2's opt-out exempts the family from submitting results. IPI has no assessment whatsoever.
Records
Yes — filed forms, assessment results
Parent qualifications
Not required
Compulsory attendance ages
6–16
Ways to homeschool
Two pathways
Law
Iowa Code ch. 299A
Official source
educate.iowa.gov ↗

Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in Iowa?

Yes. Iowa requires homeschooling families to file a notice. Where it goes: Local school district superintendent (CPI). IPI requires no proactive filing. How: CPI: Form A filed with the district. IPI: respond in writing only if the superintendent or state director requests. When: CPI: Form A by September 1. IPI: no deadline (response only on request). IPI = non-accredited private/religious instruction, max 4 unrelated students, no tuition, no Form A. CPI = Option 1 (supervised by a licensed teacher) or Option 2 (parent-supervised), both filing Form A.

What subjects does Iowa require homeschoolers to teach?

Iowa requires instruction in Mathematics, Reading, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies/History. IPI must cover these five core subjects; CPI Option 2 has no enumerated list but the student must show adequate progress.

How many days or hours of instruction does Iowa require?

Here is Iowa's rule. CPI: at least 148 days (≥37 per quarter). IPI: no minimum days.

Is standardized testing required to homeschool in Iowa?

Yes. Iowa requires a test or another accepted form of evaluation. How often: Annual (CPI). Who this applies to: Competent Private Instruction (CPI); Independent Private Instruction (IPI) is exempt — no assessment. Accepted options: standardized test, portfolio review by a licensed teacher, and other department-approved method. CPI assessments are due May 31 (results to the district by Aug 1): grades K–5 cover reading/language arts/math; grade 6+ add social studies/science. CPI Option 2's opt-out exempts the family from submitting results. IPI has no assessment whatsoever.

What records do I need to keep to homeschool in Iowa?

Iowa requires these records: Form A (CPI) and annual assessment results (CPI, unless opting out). CPI Option 2 families may opt out of assessment reporting (forfeiting dual enrollment/services). IPI requires no records.

Do parents need a teaching certificate or other qualification to homeschool in Iowa?

No. Iowa does not set a general qualification for homeschooling parents. None for IPI or CPI Option 2. CPI Option 1 must involve a licensed teacher.

What ages does Iowa's compulsory attendance law cover?

Iowa's compulsory attendance law covers children from age 6 to age 16.

What are the ways to homeschool in Iowa?

In Iowa, families homeschool under one of two pathways: Independent Private Instruction (IPI) and Competent Private Instruction (CPI).

Yes. Homeschooling is legal in Iowa, as it is in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Iowa has two structures: Independent Private Instruction (IPI — no notice, no assessment) and Competent Private Instruction (CPI — file Form A by Sept 1, 148 days, annual assessment, with a reporting opt-out under Option 2).

How to get started in Iowa

1
Choose IPI or CPI
IPI needs no filing, no day minimum and no assessment. CPI is supervised by a licensed teacher (Option 1) or by you, with no teaching license needed (Option 2), and comes with the filing, days and assessment below.
Official resource (educate.iowa.gov) →
2
IPI: teach the core subjects
Teach math, reading, language arts, science and social studies. You file nothing and keep no required records, but must reply in writing if your superintendent or the state director asks.
3
CPI: file Form A by September 1
Form A goes to your local school district superintendent.
Official resource (educate.iowa.gov) →
4
CPI: provide 148 days
At least 148 days of instruction a year, with at least 37 in each quarter. An attendance log is the simplest way to show it.
5
CPI: annual assessment
By May 31, assess reading, language arts and math in grades K–5, adding social studies and science from grade 6, with a standardized test, a portfolio review by a licensed teacher, or another department-approved method. Send the results to your district by August 1. Option 2 families may opt out of reporting results, but give up dual enrollment and district services.
What Romeschool tracks for you: Attendance, assessment reminders, filing reminders.

Recent homeschool law changes in Iowa

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Sources for Iowa

Official source (educate.iowa.gov) ↗HSLDA's Iowa summary ↗
Statute: Iowa Code ch. 299A
Last reviewed: June 5, 2026

Every requirement above comes from our review of Iowa’s rules, last checked against these sources on June 5, 2026. Homeschool law changes, and a state can amend its rules between our reviews — read the official source before you file anything or rely on a date here. How we review state requirements.

Nearby states

States that share a border with Iowa:

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