Homeschool diplomas and transcripts
Who may issue the diploma, whether the state recognises it, and what a college or employer will actually ask for.
The short version
In most states the parent issues the diploma and writes the transcript, and that document is as valid as the record behind it. Public school districts generally may not award one to a child they did not teach.
What matters is less the certificate than the evidence: a transcript with courses, credits and grades, kept year by year rather than assembled in a panic in Grade 12. Some states add a route — a superintendent's letter, an equivalency exam, or college credit — and those are listed per state below.
State by state
| State | Who issues it |
|---|---|
| Alabama | The church school or private school (or parent as its administrator) issues the diploma and transcript; the state does not issue diplomas to… |
| Alaska | Parent issues the diploma under home education. |
| Arizona | Parent (or curriculum provider/homeschool group) issues the diploma and transcript; the state does not issue homeschool diplomas. |
| Arkansas | Parent issues the diploma and transcript; the state sets no graduation requirements and does not issue homeschool diplomas. |
| California | The private school (parent) sets graduation requirements and issues the diploma and transcript; there is no state graduation requirement for private… |
| Colorado | Parent issues the diploma; there is no state homeschool diploma, and homeschool programs are not accredited by the state or districts. |
| Connecticut | Parent issues the diploma/transcript. |
| Delaware | The homeschool (parent) issues the diploma and transcripts; DOE does not issue or validate diplomas. |
| District of Columbia | Parent may issue a homeschool diploma/transcript; OSSE does not issue report cards or transcripts. |
| Florida | Parent issues the diploma and transcript. |
| Georgia | Parent issues the diploma and transcript; parents may sign documents verifying enrollment, grades or status (e.g., for Driver Services, work… |
| Hawaii | HIDOE grants no credit for homeschool time and does not issue a public high school diploma to homeschoolers; a public diploma requires at least 3… |
| Idaho | Parent sets graduation requirements and issues the diploma and transcript; public school graduation rules do not apply. |
| Illinois | Parent sets graduation requirements and issues the diploma/transcript. |
| Indiana | Parent issues the diploma; homeschoolers do not receive an Indiana accredited (e.g., Core 40) diploma. |
| Iowa | Since May 12, 2026 (HF 2754, Iowa Code 299A.13), parents/instructors may issue a diploma and transcript for CPI or IPI students; it must be accepted… |
| Kansas | The homeschool issues its own diploma; KSDE states the state does not recognize these diplomas as meeting any state requirement. |
| Kentucky | The homeschool issues its own diploma; KDE says it cannot verify homeschool diplomas and suggests the GED or an equivalent exam. |
| Louisiana | Parent issues the diploma (LDOE provides a template; do not use state seals). |
| Maine | The state issues no diplomas, transcripts, credits or completion letters for home instruction; the parent is responsible for records and any diploma. |
| Maryland | The state issues no diploma for home instruction; diplomas are handled by the family or umbrella. |
| Massachusetts | No state homeschool diploma or graduation rules; the parent may issue a diploma. |
| Michigan | Parent issues the diploma, transcripts and report cards. |
| Minnesota | Parent issues the diploma. |
| Mississippi | Parent issues the diploma and transcript; no state graduation requirements for home instruction. |
| Missouri | Parent issues the diploma and transcript. |
| Montana | Parent issues the diploma and transcript; parent controls curriculum, materials and evaluation. |
| Nebraska | The state does not issue diplomas to exempt school students; the parent issues the diploma and transcript. |
| Nevada | Parent issues the diploma and transcript; no state graduation rules for homeschoolers. |
| New Hampshire | Parent issues the diploma/transcript. |
| New Jersey | Parents decide graduation and may issue their own diploma; school boards do not issue diplomas to homeschoolers. |
| New Mexico | Parents decide graduation and may issue a diploma (state law does not address homeschool diplomas). |
| New York | Districts cannot award local or Regents diplomas to home-instructed students. |
| North Carolina | The home school's chief administrator issues the diploma and transcripts; DNPE does not keep or issue them. |
| North Dakota | Parents may issue their own diploma (state law does not prohibit it). |
| Ohio | Parents grant the diploma (ORC 3313.6110) when the student finishes the final year of home education and the high school curriculum; it counts as… |
| Oklahoma | Parent issues the diploma and transcript; no state homeschool graduation requirements. |
| Oregon | Parent issues the diploma/transcript; no state homeschool graduation requirements. |
| Pennsylvania | Since Act 196 of 2014, a supervisor-issued diploma (PDE Form 6008, co-signed by the 12th-grade evaluator) or a diploma from a PDE-recognized home… |
| Rhode Island | Parent issues the diploma/transcript; no state homeschool graduation requirements found. |
| South Carolina | Parent (or the association, depending on its policies) issues the diploma/transcript; no state homeschool graduation requirements found. |
| South Dakota | Parent issues the diploma/transcript; no state homeschool graduation requirements found. |
| Tennessee | Independent home school: parent creates and issues the diploma and transcript (the state and district do not). |
| Texas | Parent sets graduation requirements and issues the diploma and transcript; the state does not issue home school diplomas. |
| Utah | Parent determines graduation and issues the diploma/transcript. |
| Vermont | AOE does not issue diplomas; parents may issue their own. |
| Virginia | Parent issues the diploma and transcript for home instruction students. |
| Washington | Parent issues the diploma/transcript for home-based instruction. |
| West Virginia | The person running the homeschool may issue a diploma. |
| Wisconsin | Parents may create their own diploma. |
| Wyoming | No statute covers homeschool diplomas; in practice the parent issues the diploma and transcript. |
First line only; the state page carries the full rule including dual enrollment and what public universities in that state accept as proof of completion.