Do You Need a Teaching Degree to Homeschool in North Dakota?

The short answer: No, you don’t need a teaching degree. But you do need a high school diploma or GED. Here’s what North Dakota requires and what to do if you don’t have either.

Key Takeaways

• Parent must hold high school diploma or GED (teaching certificate not required)
• If you lack a diploma/GED, monitored homeschooling is the alternative
• Certified teacher monitors instruction for first two years, at district expense
• After two years of monitoring, you can continue or obtain your credential
• This is one of few states nationwide with this specific requirement

The Requirement: High School Diploma or GED

North Dakota law states that the parent instructing the child must hold a high school diploma or GED. This is a non-negotiable requirement for independent homeschooling.

Why this requirement?
North Dakota assumes a parent with a high school diploma has basic educational competency and knowledge to guide their child’s learning. You don’t need specialized teacher training, just foundational education.

What Counts as Proof

Acceptable documentation:

• Original high school diploma (or certified copy from your school)
• GED certificate (official, from the GED Testing Service)
• College degree (bachelor’s degree or higher automatically satisfies this)
• High school transcript showing graduation
• Military discharge papers (if issued before GED requirement was added)

Don’t have the original?

• Contact your high school registrar and request a certified copy (usually $5–$15 and takes 1–2 weeks)
• Or request an official transcript
• Or contact your state’s education department

GED path: If you never finished high school, taking the GED is straightforward. More on this below.

If You Don’t Have a Diploma or GED

You have two clear options. You’re not locked out of homeschooling; you have a pathway forward.

Option 1: Obtain Your GED

This is the straightforward option. Many parents have obtained their GED specifically to homeschool.

Process:

• Register with the GED Testing Service
• Study using free or low-cost materials (Khan Academy, free libraries)
• Take the GED test (multiple choice, computer-based)
• Receive your GED certificate within days

Cost: $20–$50 (varies by state; North Dakota is on the lower end)

Time: Study varies; many adults complete in 3–6 months with focused effort

Where to take it:

• Local community colleges
• Adult education centers
• Testing centers
• Some online proctoring available

Why many parents choose this: It’s quick, affordable, and gives you independent homeschooling without restrictions.

Option 2: Monitored Homeschooling

If you want to begin immediately without obtaining a GED, North Dakota allows monitored homeschooling for the first two years.

How it works:

• The school district appoints a certified teacher to monitor your instruction
• The teacher reviews your curriculum, lesson plans, and progress
• The teacher provides oversight and guidance
• This costs you nothing—the district bears the expense
• After two years, you can continue homeschooling or obtain your GED for independent status

The monitor’s role:

• Reviews your curriculum choices
• May request lesson plans or examples of student work
• Provides feedback and guidance
• Does NOT teach your child; you do
• Does NOT conduct home inspections
• Meets with you periodically (frequency varies by district)

After two years:

• You can renew your monitored status for another two years
• Or obtain your GED and transition to independent homeschooling
• Or continue indefinitely with monitoring (no time limit stated)

Which Option Is Right for You?

Choose GED if:

• You want complete autonomy without oversight
• You’re comfortable with the testing process
• You want to resolve the issue quickly
• You want no ongoing monitoring or reporting

Choose monitored homeschooling if:

• You want to begin immediately without delay
• You value having a certified teacher’s guidance
• You’re not ready for GED testing
• You want support as you develop your homeschool
• You plan to obtain a GED eventually but aren’t ready now

Hybrid approach: Many families begin with monitored homeschooling, then obtain the GED during year two, transitioning to independent status in year three.

Getting Your GED: The Process

Step 1: Register

• Go to GED Testing Service (ged.com) or contact local testing center
• Provide basic information (name, SSN, contact details)
• Pay registration fee ($20–$50)

Step 2: Study

• Free options: Khan Academy (GED prep), Coursera, YouTube
• Low-cost options: Community college GED classes, adult education centers
• Time: 3–6 months typical; varies by your background

Step 3: Schedule the Test

• Register for testing windows at your local testing center
• Tests are given year-round; multiple dates available
• Computer-based, about 7.5 hours over multiple days

Step 4: Take the Test

• Math, language arts, social studies, science sections
• Passing score varies; most test-takers pass after one or two attempts

Step 5: Receive Certificate

• Official certificate issued within days of passing
• Use for your homeschool filing

Cost overview: $20–$50 for the test; free study materials available

If You Have an Older Child

If your child is already high school age (14+), obtaining a GED as the parent is still required for independent homeschooling, but monitored homeschooling is available regardless.

Communicating with Your Superintendent

When filing your Statement of Intent:

If you have a diploma/GED:

• Include proof (copy of diploma or GED certificate)
• No further explanation needed

If you’re pursuing GED:

• Note on your Statement of Intent: “Parent is obtaining GED; application in progress”
• Provide copy once you complete it
• Superintendent typically allows reasonable time (30–60 days) for completion

If you’re using monitored homeschooling:

• Note on your Statement of Intent: “Monitored homeschooling option; parent lacks diploma/GED”
• District assigns a certified teacher monitor
• Establish communication and monitoring schedule with the monitor

Important: This Doesn’t Affect Your Content Authority

Whether you have a GED, high school diploma, or college degree, you retain complete control of your curriculum and teaching method. The qualification requirement simply establishes that you have foundational education. You’re not required to follow state curriculum, use approved materials, or teach in any particular way.

Summary

North Dakota requires a high school diploma or GED for independent homeschooling parents. If you lack this, you have two viable paths: obtain your GED (affordable, quick, gives you full autonomy) or use monitored homeschooling (free monitoring, no GED timeline). Neither option prevents you from homeschooling. Many families successfully use both: start with monitoring, obtain a GED during year two, transition to independent status.

This requirement—while sometimes cited as “strict”—exists in only a few states and reflects North Dakota’s confidence that educated parents can guide their children’s learning effectively.

North dakota homeschool laws
North dakota homeschool requirements
North dakota notice of intent to homeschool

More homeschooling resources: Homeschooling by State (All 50 States) | Complete North Dakota Homeschooling Guide