Write to the Department of Administration's Division of Non-Public Education and indicate that you wish to begin homeschooling your child. You will need to provide this office with a name for your school and list yourself as administrator. To homeschool legally, you as the provider of education must hold at least a high school diploma and you need to make a copy of your diploma for the state to include in its records. You will want to register your school as soon as possible after you decide to homeschool so your school will be operating legally.
Keep accurate attendance records and up-to-date records of immunizations on file for each of your children. It is a good idea to have records of your child's yearly physicals as well. While the state of North Carolina does not require you to keep lesson plans on record, it is very beneficial for yourself and your children if you do so as it helps keep your schooling on task and serves as a permanent record of your instruction.
Set up a regular schedule for your school which includes holidays and vacations. You should have a school year comprising 180 days or more. Generally, your school should operate for nine or more months of a calendar year. North Carolina requires you school for a set number of days but does not restrict your hours of operation or which months you hold school.
Administer a yearly standardized test that is approved by North Carolina. Examples of such tests include the Stanford Achievement Test, California Achievement Test or the popular Johnson-Woodcock exam. It is suggested that someone other than the parent administer the test, and many of the tests have this as a requirement. Often the test administrator must possess a college degree to legally give the test. Contact local private schools which also test yearly if you want your child to test with a group of his peers. Keep the test results on file each year.
Prepare for inspections by the state. While North Carolina does not typically inspect homeschools frequently, it is a good idea to have your records easily accessible. If you wish, you can schedule a meeting or inspection for state homeschool officials to come to your home.
Notify the Department of Administration's Division of Non-Public Education when you close your homeschool. This can be after graduation of your children or if you choose another education option. You can do this at any point during the year.