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Homeschooling in Washington

Homeschooling in Washington

Complete guide to homeschooling in Washington state. Covers teacher qualifications, 11 required subjects, annual testing, Declaration of Intent, and public school access.

By Homeschool Hive·Verified February 2026

At a Glance

Washington homeschool law overview

Compulsory Ages
8-18
Notice Required
Yes, annual Declaration of Intent
Teacher Qualifications
Yes (four pathways)
Required Subjects
11 subjects
Annual Assessment
Required
Public School Access
Yes, part-time enrollment available

Important Notice

This guide is for informational purposes only. Laws change. Verify current requirements with your local school district or consult a qualified attorney.

Requirements

What you need to know to start homeschooling in Washington

Legal Framework

Homeschooling in Washington is governed by RCW 28A.200 (Home-Based Instruction) and related provisions in RCW 28A.225 (Compulsory School Attendance). Washington gives homeschool families strong protections for parental rights while requiring annual notification, qualified instruction, and annual assessment. The law explicitly states that parents "shall be subject only to those minimum state laws and regulations which are necessary to insure that a sufficient basic educational opportunity is provided."

Compulsory Education Ages

Washington's compulsory attendance covers ages 8 through 18, which is one of the latest start ages in the country. Children who are younger than 8 are not required to be in school or a homeschool program. This gives Washington families extra flexibility in the early years.

Declaration of Intent

Each parent whose child is receiving home-based instruction must file an annual Declaration of Intent with the superintendent of the local school district. The declaration must include:

  • The name and age of each child being homeschooled
  • Whether a certificated person will be supervising the instruction
  • Must be in the format prescribed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)

Your declaration must be filed by September 15 of the school year, or within two weeks of the beginning of any public school quarter, trimester, or semester if starting mid-year. This is a notification — not a request for permission.

Teacher Qualifications (Four Pathways)

Washington is one of the states that requires teacher qualifications, but it offers four different ways to meet the requirement. You must satisfy one of the following:

  1. Certificated person supervision — A currently employed, Washington-state-certified teacher supervises your instruction. They must average at least one contact hour per week with your child and jointly plan educational objectives with you.
  2. College credit — You have completed at least 45 college quarter credits (approximately 30 semester credits) from any accredited institution.
  3. Home-based instruction course — You have completed a course in home-based education at a postsecondary institution or vocational-technical institute. These courses are generally short and do not require extensive time commitment.
  4. Superintendent approval — The superintendent of your local school district deems you "sufficiently qualified" to provide home-based instruction.

Most families meet the requirement through option 2 (college credits) or option 1 (certificated person supervision). If you do not have 45 college credits, finding a certificated person to supervise your homeschool is a common and workable path.

Required Subjects

Washington requires instruction in 11 subject areas:

  • Reading
  • Writing
  • Spelling
  • Language
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Social studies
  • History
  • Health
  • Occupational education
  • Art and music appreciation

These subjects do not need to be taught as separate courses. You can integrate them across your curriculum. The law protects your right to make "all decisions relating to philosophy or doctrine, selection of books, teaching materials and curriculum, and methods, timing, and place" of instruction.

Record Keeping

Washington does not specify detailed record-keeping requirements in the statute, but maintaining organized records is essential for demonstrating compliance. Keep attendance logs, curriculum records, assessment results, and work samples. These records are especially important if you ever need to transfer your child to public or private school or prepare college applications.

Evaluations

Annual evaluation and assessment options

Annual Assessment Requirement

Washington requires annual assessment of each homeschooled student. You must choose one of the following options:

  • Standardized achievement test — Administered annually by a qualified individual, using a test approved by the State Board of Education
  • Written assessment by a certificated person — A currently employed, certificated educator writes an annual assessment of your student's academic progress

If you are already being supervised by a certificated person (teacher qualification pathway 1), that same person can provide the annual written assessment, which simplifies the process considerably.

Approved Standardized Tests

Commonly used standardized tests in Washington include:

  • Iowa Assessments
  • Stanford Achievement Test (SAT-10)
  • California Achievement Test (CAT)
  • Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement
  • Peabody Individual Achievement Test (PIAT)

The test must be approved by the State Board of Education and administered by a qualified individual (which can include the parent in some cases, depending on the test).

What Happens with Results?

Assessment results are maintained by the parent. Washington law does not require you to submit results to the school district or meet a minimum score threshold. The assessment serves as documentation that your child is making academic progress. However, if a school district has concerns, they may request evidence of compliance.

Exemptions

Home-based instruction students are exempt from state learning goals, state learning standards, and high school assessments that apply to public school students. Your annual assessment does not need to align with state standards or Common Core.

Financial Resources

Vouchers, scholarships, and tax credits

No State Funding Programs

Washington is one of only a few Western states that does not offer any form of ESA, education choice tax credit, voucher, or education tax scholarship for homeschool families. There is no state-level financial support specifically for home educators.

Proposed ESA Legislation

House Bill 1615 has been introduced to create a "Students First" ESA program in Washington. If passed, it would fund Education Savings Accounts primarily for:

  • Students receiving special education services
  • Students from low-income families
  • Students assigned to failing public schools

Eligible expenses would include private school tuition, textbooks, tutoring, exam fees, homeschool curriculum, educational therapies, and postsecondary education services. As of early 2026, this bill has not passed. [VERIFY current status of HB 1615]

Federal Tax-Advantaged Accounts

Your primary financial tools are at the federal level:

  • Coverdell Education Savings Account (ESA) — Save up to $2,000 per child per year tax-free for K–12 expenses including curriculum, books, supplies, tutoring, and computer equipment
  • 529 College Savings Plans — Washington offers the GET (Guaranteed Education Tuition) plan and the DreamAhead College Investment Plan. Under federal law, up to $10,000 per year may be used for K–12 tuition. Washington has no state income tax, so there is no state tax deduction for 529 contributions.

Public School Access: A Significant Benefit

One of Washington's best financial advantages for homeschoolers is robust access to public school resources. Under state law, homeschooled students can participate as part-time students, gaining access to:

  • Individual public school classes — Your child can take one or more classes at the local public school while homeschooling for other subjects
  • Extracurricular activities and sports — Homeschooled students can participate in public school sports, clubs, and activities
  • Ancillary services — If eligible, your child may receive special education services, counseling, and other support services from the district

The school district is required by law to permit enrollment of part-time students and provide these services on the same basis as full-time students (per RCW 28A.150.350). This effectively gives Washington homeschoolers access to publicly funded resources that many other states do not offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about homeschooling in Washington

How do I legally start homeschooling in Washington state?

File an annual Declaration of Intent with your local school district superintendent by September 15 (or within two weeks of starting mid-year). Ensure you meet one of the four teacher qualification pathways, plan instruction in the 11 required subjects, and arrange for annual assessment through either standardized testing or a written evaluation by a certificated person.

Do I need a teaching degree to homeschool in Washington?

Not necessarily, but Washington does require teacher qualifications. You can meet the requirement by having 45+ college quarter credits, completing a home-based instruction course, being approved by your local superintendent, or having a certificated teacher supervise your instruction with at least one contact hour per week.

What subjects are required for homeschooling in Washington?

Washington requires 11 subjects: reading, writing, spelling, language, mathematics, science, social studies, history, health, occupational education, and art and music appreciation. These do not need to be taught as separate courses — you can integrate them across your curriculum.

Is standardized testing required in Washington?

Annual assessment is required, but you have a choice: administer a State Board-approved standardized achievement test, or have a certificated person write an annual evaluation of your child's progress. There is no minimum score requirement.

Can homeschooled students attend public school part-time in Washington?

Yes. Washington law allows homeschooled students to enroll as part-time students, taking individual classes at their local public school. Districts are required by law to permit this enrollment and provide ancillary services. Your child can also participate in sports and extracurricular activities.

Does Washington state pay for homeschooling?

No. Washington does not offer ESAs, vouchers, tax credits, or any direct financial support for homeschool families. A proposed ESA bill (HB 1615) would create funding for some families if passed. Federal Coverdell ESAs ($2,000/year per child) are the main tax-advantaged option.

Can homeschooled students play public school sports in Washington?

Yes. Washington law allows homeschooled students to participate in public school extracurricular activities, including sports, as part-time students. The district is required to permit this enrollment. Contact your local school to understand their specific registration process.

What is a certificated person and why do I need one?

A certificated person is a teacher who holds a valid Washington state teaching certificate and is currently working in the field of education. If you do not have 45+ college credits or have not completed a home-based instruction course, you can use a certificated person to supervise your homeschool. They must plan objectives with you and average at least one hour per week of contact with your child.

At what age must I start homeschooling in Washington?

Washington's compulsory education begins at age 8, which is later than most states. You are not legally required to provide formal instruction before your child turns 8. Many families begin earlier by choice, but it is not mandatory.

Do I need to submit my assessment results to the school district?

No. Washington law does not require you to submit assessment results to the school district. Results are maintained by the parent. There is no minimum score requirement. The assessment serves as your documentation of academic progress.