Nebraska Homeschool Notice of Intent

How Nebraska Classifies Homeschools

Nebraska does not have a standalone homeschool statute. Instead, homeschools operate as "exempt schools" under the state's private school laws (Nebraska Revised Statutes §79-1601 through §79-1607). The procedures for homeschooling are governed by Rule 13, which is the administrative regulation setting out the filing process and standards for exempt school families.

Compulsory Attendance

Nebraska's compulsory attendance law covers children ages 6 through 18. This is one of the broadest age ranges in the country. If your child turns 6 during the school year, you must ensure they are receiving an education — either through public school, private school, or a compliant exempt (home) school program.

Filing Requirements

You must file Form A (Parent/Guardian Information) and Form B (Student Information) with the Nebraska Commissioner of Education by July 15 before each school year. If you begin homeschooling mid-year, file at least 30 days before you start instruction.

Your filing must include a signed statement declaring that you are choosing to home educate because the requirements for approval and accreditation either:

• (i) violate sincerely held religious beliefs of the parents or legal guardians, or
• (ii) interfere with the decisions of the parents or legal guardians in directing their child's education

Most families select option (ii). This language comes directly from the statute and is a required part of the filing — it is not a religious test.

Birth Certificate Requirement

Under Nebraska's Missing Children Identification Act (§43-2007), you must provide a certified copy of your child's birth certificate — or other reliable proof of identity and age with a notarized affidavit — when you first enroll your child in your exempt school.

Required Subjects

Nebraska requires instruction in the following subject areas:

• Language arts (reading, writing, grammar, spelling)
• Mathematics
• Science
• Social studies
• Health

You choose your own curriculum and materials. The state does not approve or review curriculum choices.

Instructional Hours

Exempt schools must provide 1,032 hours of instruction per year for elementary grades and 1,080 hours for high school. This breaks down to roughly 5–6 hours per day over a standard school calendar.

Teacher Qualifications

Following the passage of LB 1027 in 2024, Nebraska no longer requires parents to hold any specific educational credentials to homeschool. Under previous law, some teacher qualification standards applied, but LB 1027 eliminated these requirements. Per §79-1601(3), no teacher certification is needed.

Immunization Requirements

Families who file under the "interfere with parental decisions" reason (option ii) must comply with Nebraska's immunization requirements under §79-217. Your child must be immunized against measles, mumps, rubella, poliomyelitis, diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus — or you must file a medical or personal exemption. Families who file under the religious reason (option i) are exempt from immunization requirements.

LB 1027: Major 2024 Reform

LB 1027, passed in 2024, significantly reduced Nebraska's homeschool requirements. Key changes included eliminating teacher qualification mandates and simplifying the filing process. Rule 13 is currently being revised to reflect these statutory changes. Provisions of Rule 13 not affected by LB 1027 remain in effect.