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Homeschool laws · State guide

Homeschooling in Nebraska

Nebraska homeschools operate as 'exempt schools' by filing a statement of election and annual assurances with the Commissioner of Education; there is no testing requirement.

Last checkedAgainst Statute + state sources

Nebraska at a glanceLevel: Low

Notice to the state
Yes
File a Statement of Election and Assurances with the Commissioner of Education, online or by mail; an assurance is submitted each year (Neb. Rev. Stat. §79-1601(3)).
Testing
No
None in statute.
Record-keeping
Required
Report attendance as provided by statute (§79-1601(4)(b)); meet health, fire and safety minimums; comply with immunization requirements if the stated reason is nonreligious (§79-1601(4)).
Immunization
Required
Homeschoolers filing for nonreligious reasons must meet school immunization rules, with medical or religious exemptions (§79-1601(4)(d); §79-221). Religious homeschool filings are exempt.
Required subjects
Yes, 5
Language arts, Mathematics, Science, Social studies, Health
Instruction time
At least 1,032 hours per school year for elementary grades (K-8) and 1,080 hours for secondary grades (9-12)
NDE 2026/27 filing instructions
Parent qualifications
Teacher certification not required; individuals monitoring or providing instruction must not have been convicted of specified felony offenses
§79-1601(5), effective July 18, 2026
Compulsory school age
6 before January 1 of the school year until 18 (Neb. Rev. Stat. §79-201), with affidavit options for some 6-year-olds

Ways to homeschool here: Exempt school (election not to meet approval/accreditation, §79-1601) · Approved or accredited private school

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Overview

In Nebraska, home schools are called exempt schools and are treated as non-approved, non-accredited private schools; they may operate outside the home and include more than one family (NDE). The parent states that approval/accreditation requirements either violate sincerely held religious beliefs or interfere with the parent’s decisions in directing the child’s education, and assures that the school offers a sequential program leading to basic skills in the required subjects. NDE notes 2026 statute changes, including a 14-day hold on disenrollment during certain active child abuse or neglect investigations (§28-711.01).

  • Exempt school (election not to meet approval/accreditation, §79-1601)
  • Approved or accredited private school

Requirements at a glance

  • Notice: File a Statement of Election and Assurances with the Commissioner of Education (Nebraska Department of Education Exempt School Program), online or by mail, signed by a parent/guardian of each student; an assurance is submitted annually. The election is effective when the statement is received, except during a transfer/disenrollment hold for certain active child abuse or neglect investigations. (Neb. Rev. Stat. §79-1601(3); §28-711.01; NDE)
  • Testing or assessment: None in statute.
  • Records: Report attendance as provided by statute (§79-1601(4)(b)); meet health, fire and safety minimums; comply with immunization requirements if the stated reason is nonreligious (§79-1601(4)).
  • Subjects: Language arts, Mathematics, Science, Social studies, Health
  • Instruction time: At least 1,032 hours per school year for elementary grades (K-8) and 1,080 hours for secondary grades (9-12) (NDE 2026/27 filing instructions)
  • Parent/teacher qualifications: Teacher certification not required; individuals monitoring or providing instruction must not have been convicted of specified felony offenses (§79-1601(5), effective July 18, 2026)
  • Compulsory attendance ages: 6 before January 1 of the school year until 18 (Neb. Rev. Stat. §79-201), with affidavit options for some 6-year-olds

Sources

This page summarizes the statutes and official pages listed in the sources block, as read on the last-checked date. It is general information, not legal advice; confirm current requirements with your state or local education agency.