How to start homeschooling in Washington

The legal steps, in order, checked against Washington law.

Short answer: Washington parents providing home-based instruction file a declaration of intent with the school district each year by September 15. The parent must meet one of several qualifications, teach the listed subjects for the hours set for private schools, and have the child tested or assessed every year. Families may also enroll in an approved private school's extension program.

Checked against RCW 28A.225.010(4) on Nov 8, 2026. Compulsory school ages: 8 to 18. This is what the law says, not legal advice.

Washington gives you 2 legal ways to homeschool. Pick one and follow its steps.

Home-based instruction

Parents teaching only their own children who meet one of the parent qualification options.

Steps

Confirm you qualify: supervision by a certificated teacher, 45 college quarter credits or the semester equivalent, a course in home-based instruction at a postsecondary or vocational-technical institution, or approval by your local superintendent.
File a signed declaration of intent with your resident district superintendent by September 15, or within two weeks of the start of any public school quarter, trimester, or semester.
Teach the required subjects for the required annual hours.
Each year, arrange an approved standardized achievement test or a written assessment by a certificated person working in education.
Keep test scores, assessments, and immunization records, and forward them if your child transfers to another school.

Notice to the state	Yes To: The superintendent of your resident school district, or a nonresident district that accepts a transfer When: Every year by September 15, or within two weeks of the start of any public school quarter, trimester, or semester Official form
Subjects	Occupational education, science, mathematics, language, social studies, history, health, reading, writing, spelling, and the development of an appreciation of art and music.
Time	Hours equal to the annual program hours set for approved private schools, which RCW 28A.195.010 sets as a 1,000 hour average for grades 1 to 12 and at least 450 hours for kindergarten.
Parent qualifications	One of: supervision by a certificated person (joint planning, an average of one contact hour per week each month, and evaluation of progress); 45 college-level quarter credit hours or the semester equivalent; a completed course in home-based instruction at a postsecondary or vocational-technical institution; or being deemed qualified by the local superintendent.
Testing or evaluation	Every year, either a State Board of Education approved standardized achievement test given by a qualified person, or a written annual assessment by a certificated person currently working in education. If the child is not making reasonable progress, the parent must make a good faith effort to remedy it.
Records to keep	The annual test or assessment becomes part of the child's permanent records. Test scores, assessments, immunization records, and any other instructional records kept must be forwarded to a school the child transfers to.

The law: RCW 28A.225.010(4) RCW 28A.200.010 RCW 28A.195.010(1)

Other legal routes

Washington law also allows these. We have not confirmed their full rules, so ask the state education department before you choose one.

Approved private school extension program: Families who want to teach at home while enrolled in an approved private school that runs an extension program.

Leaving public school mid-year

The declaration of intent may be filed within two weeks of the start of any public school quarter, trimester, or semester, as well as by September 15 (RCW 28A.200.010(1)(a)). On a later return to public school, the district may require a standardized test and decides grade and course placement after consulting the parents (RCW 28A.200.010(1)(b)).

Public school sports and activities

Yes. Students in home-based instruction may enroll part time in their resident district and receive courses and ancillary services the same as other students (RCW 28A.150.350). State rules define ancillary services to include sports activities (WAC 392-134-005 and 392-134-010).

After the paperwork

Find your child's level: placement tests for each curriculum, so you buy the right level
Pick a curriculum: match programs to your child, your style and your budget
Buy it on sale: when each curriculum goes on sale, so you don't pay full price
Start free: free curriculum and tools while you decide

Common questions

Do I have to tell the state I am homeschooling in Washington?

Yes, under the home-based instruction route, you notify the superintendent of your resident school district, or a nonresident district that accepts a transfer every year by September 15, or within two weeks of the start of any public school quarter, trimester, or semester.

Is testing required for homeschoolers in Washington?

Every year, either a State Board of Education approved standardized achievement test given by a qualified person, or a written annual assessment by a certificated person currently working in education. If the child is not making reasonable progress, the parent must make a good faith effort to remedy it.

What subjects are required for homeschooling in Washington?

Occupational education, science, mathematics, language, social studies, history, health, reading, writing, spelling, and the development of an appreciation of art and music.

What ages must be schooled in Washington?

Ages 8 to 18, per state law.

Sources

We read each source on Nov 8, 2026 and recheck every guide each quarter. Laws change. If something here no longer matches the state, write to us and we will fix it.

Every state