Iowa Homeschool Requirements Checklist
Everything you need to do to homeschool legally in Iowa, based on Iowa Code Chapter 299A (Competent Private Instruction). Iowa is classified as Moderate regulation.
This is the general checklist for CPI Option 2: Standardized Testing, the most common of Iowa's 4 pathways. Our free wizard customizes this for your family, including grade, pathway, enrollment status, and IEP.
Your compliance checklist
Ongoing
Notice to start homeschooling: what applies to you
Required if you ask the school district or area education agency for services, including dual enrollment, a home school assistance program, open enrollment, special education, or instructional materials (Iowa Admin. Code 281-31.7(5)). If you choose to file, use the district CPI report (Form A) under Iowa Code 299.4, due September 1. Applies only if you file the optional CPI report (Form A) or must file because you requested district services (Iowa Code 299A.3; Iowa Admin. Code 281-31.7(5)). Iowa Admin. Code 281-31.3(2)(a) describes the parent report as provided "within 30 days of commencing instruction", while Iowa Code 299.4(1) sets September 1 of the school year. The Iowa DOE lists Form A as due September 1.
Review curriculum requirements
Check the cited source for curriculum requirements that may be described without a subject-by-subject list.
Meet instructional time requirements
Minimum: 148 days/year. Conditions: Iowa Code 299A.1(2)(a)(2) defines parent-provided CPI without a day count; the 148-day (37 days per quarter) standard is written into 299A.1(2)(a)(1) for licensed-practitioner CPI. The Iowa Department of Education lists 148 days as part of CPI generally, so following it is the cautious choice.
Testing: what applies to you
Applies only if you choose annual evaluation and reporting, or must because you requested district services such as dual enrollment (Iowa Code 299A.3; Iowa Admin. Code 281-31.3(2), 281-31.7(5)). Iowa Code 299A.4(1) says each child receiving competent private instruction "shall" be evaluated annually by May 31, while 299A.3 and Iowa Admin. Code 281-31.3(2) make evaluation optional ("may") for parent-provided CPI. The Iowa DOE applies the evaluation to Option 2 "with dual enrollment or optional reporting". When an evaluation is given, Iowa Code 299A.5 has the evaluation administrator report results to the parent, the district and the Department of Education.
Ongoing requirements
Instructional time
Varies by pathway. CPI Option 1: Licensed Teacher Supervision: null; CPI Option 2: Standardized Testing: null; Accredited Nonpublic School Enrollment: null; Option 4: Independent Private Instruction (IPI): false
- Days per year:
- 148
Testing and assessment
Varies by pathway. CPI Option 1: Licensed Teacher Supervision: undefined; CPI Option 2: Standardized Testing: []; Accredited Nonpublic School Enrollment: undefined; Option 4: Independent Private Instruction (IPI): undefined
- Applies only if you choose annual evaluation and reporting, or must because you requested district services such as dual enrollment (Iowa Code 299A.3; Iowa Admin. Code 281-31.3(2), 281-31.7(5)).
- Iowa Code 299A.4(1) says each child receiving competent private instruction "shall" be evaluated annually by May 31, while 299A.3 and Iowa Admin. Code 281-31.3(2) make evaluation optional ("may") for parent-provided CPI. The Iowa DOE applies the evaluation to Option 2 "with dual enrollment or optional reporting".
- Accepted types
- Standardized test
- Frequency
- annually
- Minimum score
- Above the 30th percentile (nationally normed) in reading, mathematics, and language arts (plus science and social studies for grade 6 and above), and either six months' progress from the previous evaluation or at/above grade level for age
If scores fall short:
- Process: State DOE director or designee notified
- Timeline: Before the beginning of the next school year; an approved remediation plan may continue instruction for up to one year
- Consequence: The child must attend an accredited public or nonpublic school at the beginning of the next school year, unless before then a retest or a portfolio evaluator's report shows adequate progress, or the Department of Education approves a remediation plan
See our full assessment guide for Iowa for details.
Other ways to homeschool in Iowa
This checklist covers CPI Option 2: Standardized Testing, the most common pathway. Iowa offers 4 different ways to homeschool, each with different requirements:
- •CPI Option 1: Licensed Teacher Supervision : Instruction is provided or supervised by a teacher holding a valid Iowa license appropriate to your child's age and grade, which can include a district or accredited nonpublic school home school assistance program. It runs at least 148 days a year, with at least 37 days each school quarter (Iowa Code 299A.1(2)(a)(1)). Unless you are in a home school assistance program, you file the competent private instruction report (Form A) with your school district by September 1 (Iowa Code 299.4). The supervising teacher provides assessments of progress. Iowa law sets no subject list for competent private instruction.
- •CPI Option 2: Standardized Testing(this checklist) : You teach your child at home with no instructor qualifications required (Iowa Code 299A.3). Under current Iowa law, filing the competent private instruction report (Form A), the annual evaluation and reporting results are optional for parent-led instruction. They apply if you ask your district for services. Iowa sets no required subject list for this option.
- •Accredited Nonpublic School Enrollment : Your child enrolls full time in an accredited nonpublic school (Iowa Code 299.1). The school, not the family, carries the duties: it sets attendance days or hours, employs licensed teachers, provides the curriculum, assesses students and keeps records under Iowa Code 256.11 and 281 IAC chapter 12. The family files no competent private instruction report (Iowa Code 299.4). Iowa's Students First Education Savings Account program is tied to enrollment in an accredited nonpublic school (Iowa Code 257.11B).
- •Option 4: Independent Private Instruction (IPI) : Independent private instruction is provided by a parent, guardian, or legal custodian, is not accredited, enrolls not more than four unrelated students, charges no tuition or other pay for instruction, and provides instruction in mathematics, reading and language arts, science, and social studies (Iowa Code 299A.1(2)(b)). You file nothing unless the district superintendent or the director of the Department of Education asks in writing for a report naming the primary instructor, location, responsible authority, and students. There is no testing and no minimum number of days.
Our wizard helps you choose the right one. Compare all pathways for Iowa
Education savings available
Iowa offers Students First Education Savings Account Program. Learn about ESA programs
Get your personalized checklist
This is the general checklist for the most common pathway. The wizard customizes it for your family's specific situation, including grade, pathway, and IEP status.
Get your Iowa checklistRequirements sourced from Iowa Code Chapter 299A (Competent Private Instruction). Last reviewed October 2026