New Mexico Homeschool Requirements Checklist
Everything you need to do to homeschool legally in New Mexico, based on NMSA 22-1-2.1. New Mexico is classified as Moderate regulation.
This is the general checklist for Home School, the most common of New Mexico's 2 pathways. Our free wizard customizes this for your family, including grade, pathway, enrollment status, and IEP.
Your compliance checklist
Do first
File your Notice of Intent
Submit to New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED). Deadline: Within 30 days of establishing the home school.
Deadline: Within 30 days of establishing the home school
Withdrawal letter recommended
A formal letter isn't required, but it is recommended if your child is enrolled in school. Send it to current school (and file NMPED notification).
Deadline: Before you start (if enrolled)
More details
Statutory notification runs to NMPED (the department), not the local superintendent. Also notify the current school to prevent truancy referrals. Complete any district withdrawal forms. Request the child's educational records at time of withdrawal. District cannot refuse withdrawal. NMPED is mandated to enforce home school requirements and may order public school attendance if a home school is not in compliance.
Confirm your qualification
This pathway requires a high school diploma or GED. Alternatives: GED.
Deadline: Before you start
More details
Parent or legal guardian must have a high school diploma or GED. No teaching certificate or college degree required. Instruction must be provided by a person possessing at least a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Ongoing
Required subjects
reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science
More details
Statute uses 'including, but not limited to' language — these are the minimum required subjects. No requirement to use state-approved textbooks, follow Common Core, or submit curriculum for review.
Meet instructional time requirements
Minimum: 180 days/year. You must track and document hours.
More details
180 instructional days mirrors public school requirement per NMSA 22-2-8.1. No minimum hours per day specified for home schools.
Keep basic records
You must maintain: attendance records. Records may be reviewed by the district.
More details
Attendance records documenting 180 instructional days should be maintained. Records of student disease immunization or a waiver must also be maintained per NMSA 22-1-2.1. Records may be requested by the Public Education Department. NMPED is mandated to enforce home school requirements.
Renew each year
You must renew your homeschool notice each year by By August 1 of each subsequent year of operation.
Good news
No testing or assessment required
No standardized testing or assessments required under this pathway.
Filing requirements
- What to file
- simple notice
- Send to
- New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED)
- Deadline
- Within 30 days of establishing the home school
- How often
- annual
- Official form
- Download / access form
NMSA 22-1-2.1 (home school notification within 30 days; annual renewal)
Ongoing requirements
Required subjects
- ✓reading
- ✓language arts
- ✓mathematics
- ✓social studies
- ✓science
Statute uses 'including, but not limited to' language — these are the minimum required subjects. No requirement to use state-approved textbooks, follow Common Core, or submit curriculum for review.
NMSA 22-1-2.1 (basic academic program including reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science)
Instructional time
- Days per year:
- 180
180 instructional days mirrors public school requirement per NMSA 22-2-8.1. No minimum hours per day specified for home schools.
NMSA 22-1-2.1; NMSA 22-2-8.1 (180 instructional days per school year)
Recordkeeping
- ✓Attendance records
Records may be reviewed by the district.
Attendance records documenting 180 instructional days should be maintained. Records of student disease immunization or a waiver must also be maintained per NMSA 22-1-2.1. Records may be requested by the Public Education Department. NMPED is mandated to enforce home school requirements.
NMSA 22-1-2.1 (attendance records); NMAC 6.10.3 (recordkeeping regulations)
Reporting
- Annual renewal
- Required by By August 1 of each subsequent year of operation
NMSA 22-1-2.1 (annual notification renewal)
Instructor qualifications
The instructor must have a high school diploma or GED.
Alternatives: GED
Parent or legal guardian must have a high school diploma or GED. No teaching certificate or college degree required. Instruction must be provided by a person possessing at least a high school diploma or its equivalent.
NMSA 22-1-2.1 (instructor must possess at least a high school diploma or equivalent)
What you don't need to worry about
No testing or assessment required
No standardized testing or assessments required under this pathway.
Other ways to homeschool in New Mexico
This checklist covers Home School, the most common pathway. New Mexico offers 2 different ways to homeschool, each with different requirements:
- •Home School(this checklist) : You notify the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) within 30 days of starting, teach five core subjects for 180 instructional days, and maintain attendance and immunization records. The teaching parent must have a high school diploma or GED. No testing required, and no curriculum needs to be submitted for review. Annual renewal by August 1.
- •Private School : You register as a private school with the Public Education Department. Requirements differ from the home school pathway, and this option is less commonly used for individual home-based education. Most families choose the home school pathway for its clearer legal framework.
Our wizard helps you choose the right one. Compare all pathways for New Mexico
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 Mexico checklistRequirements sourced from NMSA 22-1-2.1. Verified against primary legal sources. Last verified: March 2026