Homeschooling in New Mexico

The homeschool rules in New Mexico, from official sources: your options, any notice, what to teach and record, testing, official forms, the law and who to contact.

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Last checked: October 25, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice – check your state’s official page: New Mexico official page.

Broad level: Low regulation – our own rough summary, what the levels mean.

Your options

Home school under Section 22-1-2.1 NMSA 1978. Private school is a separate option.

Notice or letter of intent

Notify NMPED on the official form within 30 days of establishing the home school, then on or before August 1 each year. This is annual. File online at homeschool.ped.state.nm.us/…, or by mail to NMPED, Attn: Home School Notification, 300 Don Gaspar Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501-2786.

Need a letter? See our letter of intent and withdrawal letter templates – but use the official form below if there is one.

Subjects, time, assessment and records

Subjects: Reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies and science.
Days or hours: UNCLEAR. (Not confirmed – check the official page) NMPED's 2023 notification form mentions 180 days and 1,140 hours (HB 130, 2023), but 22-1-2.1 and NMPED's 2024 guidance set no home school days or hours. That figure appears to be the public school standard.
Not yet confirmed: NMPED’s 2023 form mentions 180 days and 1,140 hours, but the statute and NMPED’s 2024 guidance set no days or hours for home schools. Check your state’s official page: New Mexico official page.
Testing or assessment: None required.
Records: Keep immunization records or a waiver.

Parent qualifications

The person giving instruction must hold at least a high school diploma or equivalent.

Other rules

Compulsory attendance runs to age 18 unless graduated or holding an HSE credential (22-12A-4). Under 22-2-2(H), NMPED enforces home school rules and may order a non-compliant child into public or private school.

Official forms

Notification form with statutes (2024): webnew.ped.state.nm.us/… ; Online portal: homeschool.ped.state.nm.us/…

The law

NMSA 1978 §§ 22-1-2.1, 22-2-2(H), 22-12A-4, 22-8-23.8, 22-8-23.9; 6.31.2.11 NMAC – read the law

Who to contact

New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) – Options for Parents & Families Division – Home Schools[email protected] · 505-469-2817 (Homeschool Administrator) / 505-827-6909 (per notification form) · Official pageWho handles notices: State (NM Public Education Department)

Special education and public school classes and sports

Each LEA must locate, evaluate and determine eligibility for children with disabilities schooled at home (6.31.2.10-.11 NMAC). Home school students may take part in up to three NMAA-sanctioned activities at their zoned public school (22-8-23.8) and may take one or more public school classes (22-8-23.9). The district verifies eligibility.

Federal rules on Child Find and evaluations apply in every state – see special education.

Going back to public school in New Mexico

To enroll your child in a public school in New Mexico, contact the enrollment or registration office of your local school district or public school. Ask how it decides grade placement and whether it accepts credits from homeschooling before your child starts, and bring the records you choose to share. We didn’t find a state rule on this for New Mexico in the official sources we checked – see the New Mexico official page and ask the district.

See going back to school after homeschooling for what to bring, placement, credits and special education.

Last checked: October 25, 2026. Report a change to this page

Official sources

Last checked against these sources: October 25, 2026.

This is general information, not legal advice – check your state’s official page. This page sums up official sources in our own words. Homeschool laws differ from state to state and can change. Check your state’s official page and your local school district’s guidance, and get qualified advice for your situation. Classfern is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education, any state education agency, school district, College Board, ACT, the GED Testing Service, HiSET, CLT or the Common App.