The Certified Teacher Requirement is a common myth. In reality, most states don’t require parents to be certified teachers to homeschool their kids. A few states have minimal requirements, but the majority don’t impose any educational credentials.
Research from the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) shows that homeschooled students typically score 15 to 25 percentile points higher than public school students on standardized academic achievement tests. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), approximately 3.3 million students were homeschooled in the United States as of 2023, representing roughly 6% of the school-age population.
What is the certified teacher requirement?
The idea that you need to be a certified teacher to homeschool is completely false. No state requires all parents to have teaching credentials. Some states mention teacher certification as one option, but they always offer alternatives. In fact, 40 out of 50 states have no educational qualifications for homeschooling parents. You don’t need a degree or even a high school diploma in most places. The belief that you need professional credentials to teach your own kids isn’t supported by American homeschool laws.
Which states have requirements?
Only ten states require parents to have at least a high school diploma or GED. These states are Georgia, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, North Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia. Five of these allow alternatives that skip even this basic requirement.
Three states—California, Kansas, and New York—use vague terms like 'competent' or 'qualified.' However, they don’t set specific standards, leaving it up to parents. In practice, they don’t enforce any educational qualifications.
For the remaining 40 states? No requirements at all. Any parent can homeschool, no matter their education level.
Recent legislative changes
Requirements are actually getting less strict. Ohio got rid of its teacher qualification requirements in 2023-2024 with House Bill 33. This change also removed mandatory assessments and curriculum approvals. Now, parents just need to submit a basic notice of intent. It’s a big step towards more educational freedom.
While some groups have suggested increased regulations, like the 'Make Homeschool Safe Act' in 2024, no state has passed such laws. The trend favors less government control over homeschooling.
Common misunderstandings
Many parents fear they need a college degree (they don’t), must take competency tests (only Minnesota offers this), or need state approval to teach (most just require notice). The truth is, the laws around homeschooling are much more relaxed than people think.
The belief in certification requirements can hold back qualified parents from homeschooling. Most American families can start homeschooling by simply notifying their school district—no credentials or permissions needed.
Wrapping it up
The Certified Teacher Requirement is a myth. Don’t let this false idea stop you from homeschooling. While a few states have basic requirements like a high school diploma, 80% have no requirements at all. Make sure to check your state’s laws—they’re likely more lenient than you think. You have the legal right to educate your own children without needing teaching credentials.
