Homeschool students receive their diplomas from their parents. Since parents are the ones who structure and organize a homeschool student’s education, they are also the ones qualified to judge when that education has been successfully completed and a diploma earned.

A few states have high school graduation requirements for homeschoolers, so you can check your state’s homeschool laws on our interactive legal map. If you’re an HSLDA member, please contact your state’s legal team if you have any further questions.

Are you wondering more about where to get diplomas, what you should put on a diploma, and whether you should have your child take a GED test? Check out our Diploma FAQs.

No, you don't! While some states have a special homeschooling option for parents who are certified teachers, no state requires that every homeschooling parent be a certified teacher.

In fact, research has found little difference between the academic achievement of homeschooled students whose parents were certified teachers and those whose parents were not. They both scored on average much higher than their counterparts in public school.

However, be aware that some states require homeschool parents to meet certain qualifications (such as having a high school diploma or its equivalent). You can find homeschool laws (including any qualification requirements) for all 50 states and US territories on our interactive legal map.