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North Dakota personal finance standards and requirements

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North Dakota requires each district to use a one-half-unit financial literacy option or provide ten personal finance topics through economics, Problems of Democracy, or an annually approved alternative course. This is a statewide curriculum and instruction mandate, not a separately stated personal finance diploma condition or a universal stand-alone course requirement. North Dakota also adopted its first stand-alone K-12 financial literacy standards in 2025, including 49 expectations for grades 9-12.[1][5][6]

Last reviewed September 20, 2026

View official sources
Stand-alone course
No
Graduation requirement
No
Credit / duration
0.5 unit of financial literacy, or required instruction integrated into an approved course
Effective / cohort
2025-08-01

What North Dakota requires

North Dakota law gives districts two ways to meet the statewide financial literacy requirement. A district can require each student to complete a half unit of financial literacy, or it can include all ten required personal finance topics in economics or Problems of Democracy. This is required instruction, but section 15.1-21-21 does not separately make personal finance a condition for issuing a diploma and does not impose a statewide stand-alone-course rule.[1][2][8]

The ten required topics are budgeting and money management; saving and investing; credit and debt management; banking and financial services; taxation and income; consumer skills and smart spending; insurance and risk management; college and career financial planning; retirement planning; and entrepreneurship and economic concepts.[1]

A district may ask the superintendent in writing each year to approve another delivery course. The district must show that the alternative will expose at least as many students as economics or Problems of Democracy, and the regular classroom teacher may teach the personal finance concepts inside that course.[1]

North Dakota's 22-unit diploma framework lists economics or Problems of Democracy within the social studies requirement rather than listing a separate personal finance credit. House Bill 1533 changed the curriculum rule effective August 1, 2025, while the Department of Public Instruction completed the state's first stand-alone K-12 financial literacy standards that summer.[8][2][4][7][9]

Each district must require every student to complete one-half unit of financial literacy or ensure that economics or Problems of Democracy exposes students to all ten statutory personal finance topics. With written approval renewed annually, another course may be used if the district demonstrates that it reaches at least as many students. The regular classroom teacher may provide integrated instruction.[1][2][6][8]
Grades / placement
High school, Grades 9-12 standards
Responsible agency
North Dakota Department of Public Instruction
Assessment required
Not located
Evidence
9 primary sources

Implementation timeline

  1. Milestone 01

    The governor signed House Bill 1533, amending North Dakota's financial literacy instruction law.[2]

  2. Milestone 02

    House Bill 1533 took effect by North Dakota's general rule for nonappropriation and nontax measures enacted in a regular session.[4]

  3. Milestone 03

    The Department of Public Instruction approved North Dakota's first stand-alone K-12 financial literacy standards.[9]

  4. Milestone 04

    The state implementation schedule for the 2025 financial literacy standards runs through the 2026-27 school year.[7]

North Dakota personal finance standards

The complete list below contains all 49 required personal finance topics currently identified in the controlling state materials. Each topic remains separate so educators and search engines can find the exact requirement.

Official standards document

2025 North Dakota Financial Literacy Content Standards K-12

Adopted by North Dakota Department of Public Instruction on 2025-07.

Open the official document

Grades 9-10 financial literacy standards

North Dakota publishes 24 standards for grades 9-10 across financial awareness, money management, and risk management.

  1. 01
    9-10.FA.T.1Grades 9-10PDF pages 31-35

    Describe the impacts of income tax, sales tax, and property taxes on…

    Describe the impacts of income tax, sales tax, and property taxes on one's personal finances.[5]

  2. 02
    9-10.FA.T.2Grades 9-10PDF pages 31-35

    Analyze the impact of taxes on personal finances

    Analyze the impact of taxes on personal finances.[5]

  3. 03
    9-10.FA.FD.1Grades 9-10PDF pages 31-35

    Describe emotional and behavioral aspects of financial situations

    Describe emotional and behavioral aspects of financial situations.[5]

  4. 04
    9-10.FA.FD.2Grades 9-10PDF pages 31-35

    Identify tools available to examine financial options

    Identify tools available to examine financial options.[5]

  5. 05
    9-10.FA.FG.1Grades 9-10PDF pages 31-35

    Explain how opportunity costs impact financial goals

    Explain how opportunity costs impact financial goals.[5]

  6. 06
    9-10.FA.EE.1aGrades 9-10PDF pages 31-35

    Investigate the impacts of career choices and training costs on one's…

    Investigate the impacts of career choices and training costs on one's financial opportunities.[5]

  7. 07
    9-10.FA.EE.1bGrades 9-10PDF pages 31-35

    Identify post-secondary education and training opportunities

    Identify post-secondary education and training opportunities.[5]

  8. 08
    9-10.MM.S.1Grades 9-10PDF pages 31-35

    Identify the varying features of saving options

    Identify the varying features of saving options.[5]

  9. 09
    9-10.MM.S.2Grades 9-10PDF pages 31-35

    Describe the impacts of saving money on one's financial future

    Describe the impacts of saving money on one's financial future.[5]

  10. 10
    9-10.MM.B.1Grades 9-10PDF pages 31-35

    Describe elements to consider when making a budget

    Describe elements to consider when making a budget.[5]

  11. 11
    9-10.MM.B.2Grades 9-10PDF pages 31-35

    Develop a budget to meet a spending goal

    Develop a budget to meet a spending goal.[5]

  12. 12
    9-10.MM.CD.1Grades 9-10PDF pages 31-35

    Describe different types of credit

    Describe different types of credit.[5]

  13. 13
    9-10.MM.CD.2Grades 9-10PDF pages 31-35

    Identify the terms and conditions associated with credit

    Identify the terms and conditions associated with credit.[5]

  14. 14
    9-10.MM.CD.3Grades 9-10PDF pages 31-35

    Identify strategies to manage debt

    Identify strategies to manage debt.[5]

  15. 15
    9-10.MM.CD.4Grades 9-10PDF pages 31-35

    Describe the factors that impact a credit score

    Describe the factors that impact a credit score.[5]

  16. 16
    9-10.MM.CD.5Grades 9-10PDF pages 31-35

    Describe the positive and negative impacts of debt

    Describe the positive and negative impacts of debt.[5]

  17. 17
    9-10.MM.PB.1Grades 9-10PDF pages 31-35

    Describe the risks and benefits of current and emerging payment options

    Describe the risks and benefits of current and emerging payment options.[5]

  18. 18
    9-10.MM.PB.2Grades 9-10PDF pages 31-35

    Describe different financial institutions and the financial services…

    Describe different financial institutions and the financial services provided by each.[5]

  19. 19
    9-10.MM.I.1Grades 9-10PDF pages 31-35

    Describe different investment options

    Describe different investment options.[5]

  20. 20
    9-10.MM.I.2Grades 9-10PDF pages 31-35

    Describe the impact of compound interest on investments

    Describe the impact of compound interest on investments.[5]

  21. 21
    9-10.RM.IN.1Grades 9-10PDF pages 31-35

    Describe the various types of insurance

    Describe the various types of insurance.[5]

  22. 22
    9-10.RM.IN.2Grades 9-10PDF pages 31-35

    Describe ways and reasons levels of insurance coverage vary

    Describe ways and reasons levels of insurance coverage vary.[5]

  23. 23
    9-10.RM.F.1Grades 9-10PDF pages 31-35

    Describe situations in which personal and financial information is…

    Describe situations in which personal and financial information is shared digitally.[5]

  24. 24
    9-10.RM.F.2Grades 9-10PDF pages 31-35

    Explain how consumers can identify fraudulent behavior and practices

    Explain how consumers can identify fraudulent behavior and practices.[5]

Grades 11-12 financial literacy standards

North Dakota publishes 25 standards for grades 11-12 that deepen the same three strands through calculation, comparison, analysis, and application.

  1. 01
    11-12.FA.T.1aGrades 11-12PDF pages 36-40

    Calculate payroll withholding taxes

    Calculate payroll withholding taxes.[5]

  2. 02
    11-12.FA.T.1bGrades 11-12PDF pages 36-40

    Identify the documents and forms necessary to complete an income tax return

    Identify the documents and forms necessary to complete an income tax return.[5]

  3. 03
    11-12.FA.T.2Grades 11-12PDF pages 36-40

    Evaluate the effect of taxes on personal finances

    Evaluate the effect of taxes on personal finances.[5]

  4. 04
    11-12.FA.FD.1Grades 11-12PDF pages 36-40

    Analyze emotional and behavioral aspects of financial decisions

    Analyze emotional and behavioral aspects of financial decisions.[5]

  5. 05
    11-12.FA.FD.2Grades 11-12PDF pages 36-40

    Utilize the tools available to examine financial options

    Utilize the tools available to examine financial options.[5]

  6. 06
    11-12.FA.FG.1Grades 11-12PDF pages 36-40

    Analyze the opportunity costs of financial decisions on short-term and…

    Analyze the opportunity costs of financial decisions on short-term and long-term goals.[5]

  7. 07
    11-12.FA.EE.1aGrades 11-12PDF pages 36-40

    Assess career choices and the impact on financial opportunities

    Assess career choices and the impact on financial opportunities.[5]

  8. 08
    11-12.FA.EE.1bGrades 11-12PDF pages 36-40

    Identify post-secondary education and training opportunities

    Identify post-secondary education and training opportunities.[5]

  9. 09
    11-12.MM.S.1Grades 11-12PDF pages 36-40

    Compare the varying features of different saving options

    Compare the varying features of different saving options.[5]

  10. 10
    11-12.MM.S.2Grades 11-12PDF pages 36-40

    Describe effective strategies to achieve different types of financial…

    Describe effective strategies to achieve different types of financial objectives.[5]

  11. 11
    11-12.MM.B.1Grades 11-12PDF pages 36-40

    Identify the components of a budget

    Identify the components of a budget.[5]

  12. 12
    11-12.MM.B.2Grades 11-12PDF pages 36-40

    Develop a budget and identify possible adjustments to improve its…

    Develop a budget and identify possible adjustments to improve its effectiveness.[5]

  13. 13
    11-12.MM.CD.1Grades 11-12PDF pages 36-40

    Analyze different types of credit

    Analyze different types of credit.[5]

  14. 14
    11-12.MM.CD.2Grades 11-12PDF pages 36-40

    Explain the terms and conditions associated with credit

    Explain the terms and conditions associated with credit.[5]

  15. 15
    11-12.MM.CD.3Grades 11-12PDF pages 36-40

    Develop strategies to manage debt effectively

    Develop strategies to manage debt effectively.[5]

  16. 16
    11-12.MM.CD.4Grades 11-12PDF pages 36-40

    Analyze the factors that impact a credit score

    Analyze the factors that impact a credit score.[5]

  17. 17
    11-12.MM.CD.5Grades 11-12PDF pages 36-40

    Analyze the positive and negative impacts of debt on future financial…

    Analyze the positive and negative impacts of debt on future financial decisions and opportunities.[5]

  18. 18
    11-12.MM.PB.1Grades 11-12PDF pages 36-40

    Evaluate the risks and benefits of current and emerging payment options

    Evaluate the risks and benefits of current and emerging payment options.[5]

  19. 19
    11-12.MM.PB.2Grades 11-12PDF pages 36-40

    Describe different financial institutions and the financial services…

    Describe different financial institutions and the financial services provided by each.[5]

  20. 20
    11-12.MM.I.1Grades 11-12PDF pages 36-40

    Compare investment options

    Compare investment options.[5]

  21. 21
    11-12.MM.I.2Grades 11-12PDF pages 36-40

    Evaluate the impact of simple versus compound interest

    Evaluate the impact of simple versus compound interest.[5]

  22. 22
    11-12.RM.IN.1Grades 11-12PDF pages 36-40

    Describe the protections offered by auto, health, homeowners, life, and…

    Describe the protections offered by auto, health, homeowners, life, and renters' insurance.[5]

  23. 23
    11-12.RM.IN.2Grades 11-12PDF pages 36-40

    Compare the various levels of insurance coverage and the impact on…

    Compare the various levels of insurance coverage and the impact on personal finance.[5]

  24. 24
    11-12.RM.F.1Grades 11-12PDF pages 36-40

    Explore the risks and dangers of sharing personal information in a…

    Explore the risks and dangers of sharing personal information in a digital world.[5]

  25. 25
    11-12.RM.F.2Grades 11-12PDF pages 36-40

    Explain how consumers can identify and report fraudulent behavior and…

    Explain how consumers can identify and report fraudulent behavior and practices.[5]

Relevant law, rule, or board action

N.D.C.C. § 15.1-21-21

Financial literacy, concepts of personal finance, inclusion in curriculum

Requires districts to use a half-unit option or provide all ten personal finance topics through economics, Problems of Democracy, or an annually approved alternative course.[1]

HB 1533, Chapter 193 (2025)

Financial literacy and concepts of personal finance curriculum

Expanded and reorganized the statutory personal finance topics and preserved the half-unit or integrated-course delivery options.[2]

Notes for teachers and curriculum leaders

  • A district using the integrated option should document where all ten statutory topics appear in economics or Problems of Democracy.[1]
  • Using a different course requires a written request and annual superintendent approval, plus evidence that the course reaches at least as many students as the statutory default courses.[1]
  • Local curriculum work should use the 2025 standards and target full alignment for the 2026-27 school year.[6][7]

Official sources

  1. 1
    North Dakota Century Code § 15.1-21-21North Dakota Legislative Branch · statute · accessed 2026-09-20Locator: Section 15.1-21-21, subsections 1-3Supports: half-unit option, integrated instruction option, ten required topics, alternative-course approval, classroom-teacher delivery
  2. 2
    House Bill 1533 and Chapter 193, 2025 Session LawsNorth Dakota Legislative Branch · statute · published 2025-04-24 · accessed 2026-09-20Locator: Chapter 193, section 1Supports: 2025 enacted amendment, statutory delivery options, required topic list
  3. 3
    HB 1533 OverviewNorth Dakota Legislative Branch · bill · published 2025-04-24 · accessed 2026-09-20Locator: Measure status and official actionsSupports: passed status, governor signature, filing date
  4. 4
    General Information: Legislative DocumentsNorth Dakota Legislative Branch · agency guidance · accessed 2026-09-20Locator: Legislative Documents, BillsSupports: August 1 general effective date, regular-session legislation
  5. 5
    2025 North Dakota Financial Literacy Content Standards K-12North Dakota Department of Public Instruction · standards · published 2025-07 · accessed 2026-09-20Locator: PDF pages 31-40, grades 9-10 and 11-12Supports: 49 high-school standards, standard codes, grade bands, content strands
  6. 6
    Financial LiteracyNorth Dakota Department of Public Instruction · agency guidance · accessed 2026-09-20Locator: Standards overview and implementation guidanceSupports: current standards, scope, 2026-27 full-alignment guidance, link to current law
  7. 7
    Standards ReviewNorth Dakota Department of Public Instruction · agency guidance · accessed 2026-09-20Locator: Financial Literacy row in standards review tableSupports: summer 2025 completion, 2025-2027 implementation window
  8. 8
    Academic and Career Planning: Graduation RequirementsNorth Dakota Department of Public Instruction · agency guidance · accessed 2026-09-20Locator: Graduation Requirements, 22 unitsSupports: 22-unit diploma, economics or Problems of Democracy, absence of separately listed personal finance credit
  9. 9
    ND Improves Grade In Financial LiteracyNorth Dakota Department of Public Instruction · agency guidance · published 2025-12-02 · accessed 2026-09-20Locator: Paragraphs describing HB 1533 and the first stand-alone standardsSupports: agency interpretation, July 2025 standards approval, no stand-alone-course mandate

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Read how state requirements are researched and classified

Frequently asked questions

Does North Dakota require financial literacy to graduate?

Not as a separately stated personal finance diploma condition. State law requires districts to use a half-unit option or provide all ten topics through economics, Problems of Democracy, or an approved alternative course; the 22-unit diploma statute does not list a separate personal finance credit.[1][8]

Does North Dakota require a stand-alone personal finance course?

No. A district may use a half-unit financial literacy course, but state law also permits the required concepts to be integrated into economics, Problems of Democracy, or an annually approved alternative.[1][9]

How much financial literacy instruction does North Dakota require?

The stand-alone option is one-half unit. The integrated option must cover all ten statutory topic areas, but the reviewed law does not state a separate hour requirement for that pathway.[1]

What do North Dakota's financial literacy standards cover?

The grades 9-12 standards cover taxes, financial decisions and goals, education and careers, saving, budgeting, credit and debt, banking, investing, insurance, and fraud across 49 expectations.[5]

When should North Dakota schools fully implement the 2025 standards?

The Department of Public Instruction encourages schools to align curriculum and instructional materials for full implementation in the 2026-27 school year.[6][7]