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 | Required — Georgia Department of Education Within 30 days of establishing the home study program, and by September 1 of each subsequent year | Required — Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE) At least 5 days before opening the home school (DNPE requires written acknowledgment before starting) |
| Testing | Required | Required |
| Required subjects | 5 subjects | None specified |
| Instructional time | 180 days/yr, 810 hrs/yr | No requirement |
| Instructor qualification | a high school diploma or GED | a high school diploma or GED |
| Recordkeeping | attendance | attendance |
| Annual renewal | Required by September 1 | Not required |
Moving Between These States
Moving from Georgia to North Carolina
Grace period: Must file BEFORE operating — 3–5 business day processing (G.S. §115C-564; G.S. §115C-378)
What changes:
- ~Notification: Georgia (Required — Georgia Department of Education Within 30 days of establishing the home study program, and by September 1 of each subsequent year) → North Carolina (Required — Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE) At least 5 days before opening the home school (DNPE requires written acknowledgment before starting))
- -Good news: North Carolina has no required subjects requirement
- -Good news: North Carolina has no instructional time requirement
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 Notice of Intent with DNPE BEFORE opening home school. One-time filing. Takes 3–5 business days to process.
Before you start teaching:
- ▢File BEFORE you start teaching (G.S. §115C-564; G.S. §115C-378)
- ▢Schools may open July–April only. One-time filing (not annual). DNPE processes NOI within 3–5 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:
- ~Notification: North Carolina (Required — Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE) At least 5 days before opening the home school (DNPE requires written acknowledgment before starting)) → Georgia (Required — Georgia Department of Education Within 30 days of establishing the home study program, and by September 1 of each subsequent year)
- +Georgia requires required subjects (5 subjects). North Carolina does not
- +Georgia requires instructional time (180 days/yr, 810 hrs/yr). North Carolina does not
Transition checklist
Before you leave North Carolina:
- ▢Notify current public 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 first year, DOI due by September 1 annually. Public schools must receive proof of homeschooling within 45 days of withdrawal to prevent DFCS referrals.
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