Homeschooling in New Hampshire? Here’s your plan.

Homeschooling in New Hampshire is governed by RSA 193-A, as amended by 2026 N.H. Laws ch. 297, effective July 1, 2026. Under RSA 193-A:3, a declaration of home education is not required, except to obtain access to public school programs under RSA 193:1-c or upon withdrawal from a public school. A declaration is a signed statement that your child is home educated, with your child's name, date of birth, and current address (RSA 193-A:1).

The current law lists no required subjects and sets no required evaluation, testing, or portfolio. It sets no minimum number of days or hours, and your dates and hours of instruction do not have to match the district calendar (RSA 193-A:4, III). No teaching credential is required. Compulsory education applies from age 6 until age 18 (RSA 193:1).

The law also protects your privacy. Information you submit about your home education program to a state agency or school district is confidential and may not be shared without your written consent (RSA 193-A:4, VI). When your child finishes, you may issue an optional certificate of completion, and if you submit it to the commissioner of education, the department issues a state certificate within 30 days (RSA 193-A:5).

The Education Freedom Accounts program (RSA 194-F) is a separate option. Enrolling a child in the EFA program ends a home education program under RSA 193-A (RSA 193-A:4, VII), so compare the two before you apply.

Before July 1, 2026, families chose to notify their local superintendent, the NH Department of Education, or a participating nonpublic school. The 2026 law removed that notification requirement, so there is now one way to home educate: Home Education under RSA 193-A, with the same rules for every family. If your child is enrolled in a public school now, the law requires a declaration of home education when you withdraw (RSA 193-A:3).

Withdrawing from public school. RSA 193-A:3 requires a declaration of home education upon withdrawal from a public school. The statute does not say who receives it or set a deadline. A state Board of Education rule written for the earlier law, Ed 315.05(b), says the parent of a student enrolled in a public school shall advise the resident district superintendent of the withdrawal on or before the date the home education program begins. That rule has not been updated since the 2026 law, and whether it still applies is not settled. Giving your declaration to your resident district superintendent on or before your first day of home education meets the words of both RSA 193-A:3 and Ed 315.05(b).

Public school courses and activities. Under RSA 193:1-c, home educated students have access to curricular courses and co-curricular programs, including athletics, offered by their resident district, under policies no more restrictive than those for public school students. A declaration of home education is required to use these programs (RSA 193-A:3). Contact your local district to sign up.

Education Freedom Accounts. EFA funds (RSA 194-F) can cover tuition, online programs, tutoring, curriculum, technology, educational therapies, and testing. Keep in mind that a child in the EFA program is not a home educated student under RSA 193-A, and the EFA program has its own rules.

IEP considerations. IEP services end when you withdraw, and districts are not required to provide ongoing special education services to homeschooled children. Your district must still find and evaluate children with disabilities under Child Find.

High school credentials. Parent-issued diplomas and transcripts are recognized, and there is no state homeschool diploma. The optional certificate of completion under RSA 193-A:5 gives you a state-issued record that your child completed a home education program. Students may also take the GED or HiSET.