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Homeschool laws · State guide

Homeschooling in Washington

Washington requires an annual declaration of intent, a parent who meets one of three qualification options, and an annual standardized test or certificated-person assessment kept in the child's records.

Last checkedAgainst Statute + state sources

Washington at a glanceLevel: Moderate

Notice to the state
Yes
File a signed declaration of intent with the district superintendent each year by September 15, or within two weeks of the start of any quarter, trimester or semester (RCW 28A.200.010(1)(a)).
Testing
Yes
Each year, a State Board-approved standardized test given by a qualified individual, or a written assessment of progress by a certificated person; results go in the child's records (RCW 28A.200.010(1)(b)–(c)).
Record-keeping
Required
Keep test scores or annual assessments and immunization records and forward them, with any other instructional records, to a school the child transfers to. (RCW 28A.200.010(1)(b))
Immunization
Records only
Vaccines aren't required for home-based instruction, but keep immunization records for school transfers (RCW 28A.200.010(1)(b)). Private-school extension students need vaccines or an exemption.
Required subjects
Yes, 11
Occupational education, Science, Mathematics, Language, Social studies, History, Health, Reading, Writing, Spelling, Appreciation of art and music
Instruction time
Hours equivalent to the total annual program hours per grade level for approved private schools (RCW 28A.225.010(4); RCW 28A.195.010, .040), to be liberally construed
RCW 28A.225.010(5)
Parent qualifications
One of: supervision by a certificated person; 45 college quarter credit hours or a course in home-based instruction; or deemed sufficiently qualified by the local superintendent
RCW 28A.225.010(4)
Compulsory school age
8 to under 18
RCW 28A.225.010(1)

Ways to homeschool here: Home-based instruction (RCW 28A.225.010(4)) · Approved private school, including an extension program (RCW 28A.195.010(4))

Choice Homeschool works hard to keep every state guide accurate and up to date, but laws change. If something here has changed or is missing, please let us know, ideally with a link to the official source, and we’ll recheck it.

Overview

Washington leaves decisions about philosophy, materials, curriculum, and methods, timing and place of instruction and evaluation to the parent, subject only to minimum state requirements (RCW 28A.200.020). Parents who comply are presumed to be providing home-based instruction. Home-based students are not required to meet state learning standards or take state assessments (RCW 28A.200.010(1)(c)). OSPI publishes a declaration of intent form and the State Board’s list of approved tests.

Requirements at a glance

  • Notice: File an annual signed declaration of intent (in OSPI’s format) with the resident district superintendent (or the district accepting a transfer) by September 15 or within two weeks of the start of any quarter, trimester or semester, stating the child’s name and age and whether a certificated person will supervise. (RCW 28A.200.010(1)(a))
  • Testing or assessment: Each year, a State Board-approved standardized achievement test given by a qualified individual, or an annual written assessment of progress by a certificated person working in education. Results become part of the child’s permanent records (kept by the family, forwarded on transfer); if the child is not making reasonable progress, the parent must make a good-faith effort to remedy it. (RCW 28A.200.010(1)(b)–(c))
  • Records: Keep test scores or annual assessments and immunization records and forward them, with any other instructional records, to a school the child transfers to. (RCW 28A.200.010(1)(b))
  • Subjects: Occupational education, Science, Mathematics, Language, Social studies, History, Health, Reading, Writing, Spelling, Appreciation of art and music
  • Instruction time: Hours equivalent to the total annual program hours per grade level for approved private schools (RCW 28A.225.010(4); RCW 28A.195.010, .040), to be liberally construed (RCW 28A.225.010(5))
  • Parent/teacher qualifications: One of: supervision by a certificated person; 45 college-level quarter credit hours (or equivalent) or a course in home-based instruction at a postsecondary institution or vocational-technical institute; or deemed sufficiently qualified by the local superintendent (RCW 28A.225.010(4))
  • Compulsory attendance ages: 8 to under 18 (RCW 28A.225.010(1))

Sources

This page summarizes the statutes and official pages listed in the sources block, as read on the last-checked date. It is general information, not legal advice; confirm current requirements with your state or local education agency.