Georgia vs North Carolina: Homeschool Laws Compared
Side-by-side comparison of homeschool regulations. See what changes if you're moving between these states.
At a Glance
| Requirement | Georgia | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation level | Moderate regulation | Moderate regulation |
| Notification | Varies by pathway | Varies by pathway |
| Testing | Varies by pathway | Varies by pathway |
| Required subjects | 5 subjects | None specified |
| Instructional time | 180 days/yr, 810 hrs/yr | No requirement |
| Instructor qualification | Varies by pathway | Varies by pathway |
| Recordkeeping | None required | attendance |
| Annual renewal | Required by September 1 | Not required |
Moving Between These States
Moving from Georgia to North Carolina
Grace period: File before operating; DNPE typically reviews a Notice of Intent within three to five business days (G.S. §115C-564; G.S. §115C-378)
What changes:
- -Good news: North Carolina has no required subjects requirement
- -Good news: North Carolina has no instructional time requirement
- +North Carolina requires recordkeeping (attendance). Georgia does not
Transition checklist
Before you leave Georgia:
- ▢No formal withdrawal required in Georgia
- ▢Gather records: curriculum materials, work samples, test scores
- ▢North Carolina requires: immunization records
- ▢Complete any pending assessments before you leave
When you arrive in North Carolina:
- ▢File your Notice of Intent with DNPE before opening your home school, at least five business days ahead. One-time filing.
Before you start teaching:
- ▢File BEFORE you start teaching (G.S. §115C-564; G.S. §115C-378)
- ▢Submit after July 1 of the year your home school begins; DNPE does not accept Notices of Intent in May or June. One-time filing. DNPE typically reviews within three to five business days.
Moving from North Carolina to Georgia
Grace period: 30 days after establishing program (O.C.G.A. §20-2-690(c))
What changes:
- +Georgia requires required subjects (5 subjects). North Carolina does not
- +Georgia requires instructional time (180 days/yr, 810 hrs/yr). North Carolina does not
- -Good news: Georgia has no recordkeeping requirement
Transition checklist
Before you leave North Carolina:
- ▢Notify the child's current school: Notify DNPE that home school has closed via DNPE website login.
- ▢Gather records: curriculum materials, work samples, test scores
- ▢Complete any pending assessments before you leave
When you arrive in Georgia:
- ▢Submit Declaration of Intent to GA DOE within 30 days of establishing home study program. Online filing available.
Within 30 days of starting:
- ▢File within 30 days of starting (O.C.G.A. §20-2-690(c))
- ▢After the first year, the Declaration of Intent is due by September 1 each year. Local school systems need proof of home study enrollment within 45 days after a withdrawal from a Georgia public school, and the Declaration of Intent satisfies this.
Military families
Neither Georgia nor North Carolina has military-specific homeschool provisions. MIC3 (Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children) does not apply to homeschoolers — it covers public schools only. Your School Liaison Officer can help with the transition.
Planning a move?
Enter your move date to get a timeline with specific deadlines.
Common questions
What are the differences between homeschooling in Georgia and North Carolina?
Georgia and North Carolina have different homeschool regulations covering notification requirements, testing, required subjects, instructor qualifications, and recordkeeping. See the comparison table above for the exact differences.
What do I need to do to move my homeschool from Georgia to North Carolina?
When moving from Georgia to North Carolina, you must comply with North Carolina's homeschool laws from scratch. See the transition checklist above for step-by-step guidance.
Data sourced from state statutes and administrative codes. Comparison based on default homeschool pathway for each state. This is compliance guidance, not legal advice. Terms · How we verify