State requirements

Homeschooling in Maine: what’s actually required.

Notification required, testing or evaluation required, minimum instruction hours apply.

This is a plain-language preview to help you get oriented — not legal advice. We help you organize and document; you decide what to file.

What Maine asks

Regulation level

High regulation

Law type

Notify-only (no approval process)

What you notify / file

Notify: Local school administrative unit (SAU/superintendent) AND Maine Commissioner of Education; Written notice of intent (NOI); online via Maine DOE Home Instruction Portal or paper form; Within 10 days of starting (year 1); by Sept 1 annually thereafter.

Testing / evaluation

Standardized test; locally developed test; review by Maine-certified teacher; portfolio review by support group incl. certified teacher/admin; local advisory board review

Instruction hours

175 instructional days (no hourly requirement)

Required subjects

English/language arts, math, science, social studies, physical education, health education, library skills, fine arts, Maine studies (one grade 6–12), computer proficiency (one grade 7–12)

Last verified: 2026-06-30

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