Romeschool

New Jersey homeschool requirements

New Jersey is one of the freest states. No notification, registration, or testing — provide instruction 'equivalent' to public school.

Last reviewed June 5, 2026 · Sources below

Minimal regulation
Another state:

New Jersey homeschool requirements at a glance

Notice
Not required
Required subjects
No set list
Instruction time
NoneNo attendance record requirement.
Testing or evaluation
NoNo state or district testing; local boards cannot test homeschooled students.
Records
No
Parent qualifications
Not required
Compulsory attendance ages
6–16
Ways to homeschool
Independent (no filing)
Law
N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25; State v. Massa
Official source
nj.gov ↗

Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in New Jersey?

No. New Jersey does not require homeschooling families to file a notice. No statutory requirement to notify (the NJDOE encourages voluntary notice). Local boards cannot review or approve curriculum.

What subjects does New Jersey require homeschoolers to teach?

New Jersey does not spell out a list of required subjects for homeschoolers. No enumerated subjects; the 'equivalent instruction' standard (N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25; State v. Massa) requires academically equivalent education without a specific subject list.

How many days or hours of instruction does New Jersey require?

None. New Jersey does not set a minimum number of instructional days or hours for homeschoolers. No attendance record requirement.

Is standardized testing required to homeschool in New Jersey?

No. New Jersey does not require standardized testing for homeschooled students. No state or district testing; local boards cannot test homeschooled students.

What records do I need to keep to homeschool in New Jersey?

New Jersey does not require homeschooling families to keep specific records. No statutory records requirement; the parent bears the burden of showing equivalent instruction if challenged.

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

No. New Jersey does not set a general qualification for homeschooling parents.

What ages does New Jersey's compulsory attendance law cover?

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

What are the ways to homeschool in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, families homeschool under this pathway: independent (no filing).

Yes. Homeschooling is legal in New Jersey, as it is in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. New Jersey is one of the freest states. No notification, registration, or testing — provide instruction 'equivalent' to public school.

How to get started in New Jersey

1
No filing required
No statute requires you to notify the state or your local district. The NJ Department of Education does encourage families to give voluntary notice.
Official resource (nj.gov) →
2
Provide equivalent instruction
The law (N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25, as read in State v. Massa) requires instruction academically equivalent to what the public schools provide. There is no list of required subjects, and your local board cannot review or approve your curriculum.
Official resource (nj.gov) →
3
No testing, set hours, or teaching certificate
Homeschooled students have no state or district testing, there is no minimum number of days or hours, and parents do not need any teaching credential.
4
Keep records voluntarily
No records are required. If your instruction is ever questioned, though, you would need to show evidence that it is equivalent, so an activity log and work samples are wise to keep.
What Romeschool tracks for you: Activity log and portfolio.

Sources for New Jersey

Official source (nj.gov) ↗HSLDA's New Jersey summary ↗
Statute: N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25; State v. Massa
Last reviewed: June 5, 2026

Every requirement above comes from our review of New Jersey’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 New Jersey:

All 50 states & D.C. →