New Jersey Homeschool Requirements Checklist
Everything you need to do to homeschool legally in New Jersey, based on N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25. New Jersey is classified as No regulation.
This is the general checklist for Equivalent Instruction Elsewhere Than at School. Our free wizard customizes this for your family, including grade, pathway, enrollment status, and IEP.
Your compliance checklist
Do first
Withdrawal letter recommended
A formal letter isn't required, but it is recommended if your child is enrolled in school. Send it to school principal or superintendent.
Deadline: Before you start (if enrolled)
More details
Not legally required for elementary/middle school but prevents truancy inquiries. For high school students, the parent must complete a transfer form per NJ DOE policy indicating intent to provide instruction elsewhere than at school. Send written letter stating child is being withdrawn for home instruction. Retain a copy. District should not require additional documentation, approval, or a meeting as a condition of withdrawal. If child has never been enrolled in school, no withdrawal step is necessary.
Good news
No notification required
New Jersey does not require you to notify anyone to begin homeschooling.
No specific subjects required
N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25 requires 'equivalent instruction' but does not enumerate specific subjects for home instruction. Public school curriculum standards (N.J.A.C. 6A:8) are not binding on homeschool families.
No instructional time minimums
No minimum hours or days of instruction required.
No testing or assessment required
No standardized testing or assessments required under this pathway.
Ongoing requirements
New Jersey has no ongoing testing, recordkeeping, or reporting requirements under this pathway.
What you don't need to worry about
No notification required
New Jersey does not require you to notify anyone to begin homeschooling.
No specific subjects required
N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25 requires 'equivalent instruction' but does not enumerate specific subjects for home instruction. Public school curriculum standards (N.J.A.C. 6A:8) are not binding on homeschool families.
No instructional time minimums
No minimum hours or days of instruction required.
No testing or assessment required
No standardized testing or assessments required under this pathway.
Related guides
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 New Jersey checklistRequirements sourced from N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25. Verified against primary legal sources. Last verified: March 2026