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Do You Need a Teaching Degree to Homeschool in Utah?
The answer is simple: No. You don’t need a teaching degree, teaching certificate, or any educational qualification to homeschool in Utah.
Utah law is explicit on this point. Not only are teaching qualifications not required—school boards are prohibited from requiring them. This is protective language that ensures homeschool parents have genuine freedom.
Key Takeaways
- No teaching degree required — Parent/guardian instruction only
- No teaching certificate or credential needed — Explicitly forbidden to be mandated
- No college degree required — Any parent can homeschool
- No high school diploma required — No educational prerequisites
- HB 209 (2025) removed background attestation requirements
- Co-op instructors don’t need credentials — Supplemental teaching is fine
What Utah Law Says
Utah Code § 53G-6-204 states that homeschool instruction must be provided by “the parent or guardian of the student.”
That’s the only qualification. The statute does not mention or require:
– Bachelor’s degree
– Teaching degree
– Teaching certificate
– Master’s degree
– High school diploma
– GED
– Continuing education
– Training courses
– Professional development
In fact, the law explicitly prevents school boards from adding qualifications. If a local district tried to impose teacher certification requirements on homeschoolers, it would directly violate state law.
What You DON’T Need
High School Diploma or GED
You don’t need to have completed your own education to educate your children. Even if you didn’t finish high school, you can legally homeschool in Utah.
This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t: If you’re weak in math or writing, you might want to use structured curriculum or take online courses yourself to stay ahead. But legally? Not required.
Bachelor’s Degree
A college degree is not required, not preferred, and not considered by Utah law.
Whether you have a Ph.D. or no formal education, the law treats you the same: you’re the parent, and that’s sufficient.
Teaching Certificate or License
You cannot hold a Utah teaching license and be the homeschool instructor at the same time (you’d have to be a public school teacher). But not having a teaching certificate is completely fine.
Homeschooling is different from traditional teaching. You don’t need formal teacher training.
Criminal Background Clearance
Before 2025, Utah required parents to attest to (swear to) their criminal background. HB 209 removed this requirement in May 2025.
- No background check required
- No attestation required
- No disqualifying factors based on background
- (Though if you have genuine concerns about child safety, address those separately)
Continuing Education or Professional Development
No requirement to take courses, attend trainings, or participate in professional development.
Your child’s education is your responsibility, and you structure that however you see fit.
What You DO Need
Only one thing: To be the child’s parent or legal guardian.
That’s it. If you’re the parent or legal guardian, you’re qualified to homeschool in Utah.
What “Parent or Guardian” Means
- Parent: Biological or adoptive parent with legal custody
- Legal guardian: Court-appointed guardian with custody rights
- Both parents: If both have custody, either can be the homeschool instructor
You cannot delegate homeschooling to someone else (a nanny, grandparent, or babysitter) as the primary instructor. It must be the parent or legal guardian.
Can You Use Outside Instructors?
Yes, with boundaries:
You can use:
– Co-op instructors for supplemental classes (chemistry lab, foreign language, etc.)
– Online course instructors from curriculum providers
– Tutors for additional help in specific subjects
– Music teachers or sports coaches for extracurriculars
You cannot:
– Hire a tutor to be your homeschool’s primary instructor
– Enroll in full-time virtual public school and call it homeschooling
– Delegate all instruction to someone else
The distinction: You direct the education; others supplement it.
Special Education Teachers and Certifications
If your child has special needs or an IEP:
- You don’t need special education certification to homeschool them
- You can access specialized resources and therapies (covered by Utah Fits All Scholarship)
- If you dual enroll, the public school provides IEP services (not you)
- You can hire tutors with special education credentials as supplemental help
See for special education options.
Subject Matter Expertise: Do You Need It?
Not legally—but practically, it matters.
You don’t need to be a mathematician to teach math or a scientist to teach science. But you should:
- Understand the material well enough to guide your child
- Be willing to learn alongside your child if needed
- Use quality curriculum that teaches the material clearly
- Seek help (tutoring, co-op, online instruction) if you’re weak in a subject
Many homeschooling parents aren’t experts in every subject. That’s why curriculum exists—it teaches the subject. Your job is to facilitate, not be the expert.
Using Curriculum When You’re Not an Expert
- Saxon Math or Teaching Textbooks: If you struggle with math, use curriculum designed to teach itself
- Science curriculum: Complete lab experiments step-by-step with your child
- Co-ops: Take a foreign language class from someone who speaks it fluently
- Online instructors: Hire experts for subjects where you need support
- Tutors: Get help in areas where your child (and you) need it
This is completely legitimate and common.
College Admissions: Does Your Credential Matter?
No. Colleges don’t care about your teaching degree.
When your homeschooled child applies to college, they evaluate:
– Your child’s transcript and grades
– ACT/SAT scores
– Course descriptions and rigor
– GPA and academic record
They don’t ask if you have a teaching degree. They trust that if you’re homeschooling responsibly, your child is learning.
Confidence Without Credentials
Many parents worry: “Am I qualified to homeschool without a teaching degree?”
Reassurance:
– Teaching degree teaches classroom management, not necessarily subject matter expertise
– Most K-12 teachers teach subjects they’re not experts in
– You know your child better than any public school teacher
– You can customize instruction to your child’s learning style
– Curriculum carries much of the teaching burden
You’re more qualified than you think. You care about your child’s education, and that matters more than any certificate.
HB 209 (2025) Changes
HB 209 simplified qualification requirements further by removing the requirement for parents to attest to criminal background history. This reduced administrative burden and recognized that homeschooling is a parental right, not a privilege requiring vetting.
Summary
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do I need a teaching degree? | No |
| Do I need a teaching certificate? | No |
| Do I need a college degree? | No |
| Do I need a high school diploma? | No |
| Do I need a background check? | No (not as of 2025) |
| Do I need training or certification? | No |
| Do I need subject expertise? | Helpful, but not required |
| What do I need? | To be the parent/guardian |
Getting Support If You Need It
If you lack confidence in a subject or area:
- Join a co-op: Take classes taught by credentialed teachers
- Hire tutors: For subjects where you need expert instruction
- Use curriculum: Well-designed curriculum teaches the material
- Online courses: BYU Independent Study, Time4Learning, Abeka Academy
- Support groups: Connect with other homeschoolers for encouragement
You don’t need credentials. What you need is willingness to learn, good curriculum, and community support.
That’s enough.
Resources
- Utah Home Education Association (UHEA): uhea.org — Support and encouragement
- Utah Christian Home School Association: utch.org
- Utah State Board of Education: schools.utah.gov
Teaching your own children doesn’t require a license. It requires love, commitment, and the right resources. You’ve got what you need.