October 31, 2025
When the State Says Your Homeschool Doesn’t Count
By: Idaho Representative Heather Scott
Idaho is supposed to be a place that values freedom, faith, and family, but one young woman’s story shows how state bureaucracy can stand in the way of all three.
A young woman named Heather Jones, who was homeschooled all through high school by her parents for religious reasons, was told she could not get a real estate license. Not because she failed any test or didn’t meet requirements, but because her high school diploma came from home instead of a government-approved school.
Heather’s homeschool education followed Idaho law. Her parents gave her a diploma and transcript after years of study. She went on to start businesses, own property, and even train in health care. But when she applied for her Idaho real estate license, the state refused to accept her homeschool diploma and demanded one from an “accredited” school.
She asked for special consideration, but the Idaho Real Estate Commission denied her request. Now, with help from the Pacific Justice Institute, Heather is suing the State of Idaho for violating her First Amendment right to freely practice her religion.
You can read her case here: Lawsuit
This case matters because Idaho law clearly allows homeschooling, and many parents choose it for faith-based reasons. Denying homeschool graduates access to professional careers sends a message that their education and their faith doesn’t count.
At stake is more than one woman’s dream of a real-estate career. It’s about whether religious families are treated equally under the law, and whether state agencies can block opportunity for those who choose a different but legal path to education.
Idaho should stand for freedom, faith, and fairness, not discrimination against homeschoolers.
I hope Heather wins her lawsuit against these out of control bureaucrats and am happy she is taking a stand to help future home school students to be able to pursue their business ventures!
I hope this article encourages you to stand up against overreaching government. Remember, ALL power is in the people and when we exercise that power, we can control an out-of-control government.
Pretty sad when a citizen has to sue the Idaho Real Estate Commission because they refuse to recognize a person’s home schooling. Many people who are home schooled perform much better on standard tests than those who are not. Definitely a violation of her 1st Amendment Religous rights.