Homeschooling in Washington State

The homeschool rules in Washington State, from official sources: your options, any notice, what to teach and record, testing, official forms, the law and who to contact.

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Last checked: October 25, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice – check your state’s official page: Washington State official page.

Broad level: Moderate regulation – our own rough summary, what the levels mean.

Your options

Home-based instruction under RCW 28A.200 / 28A.225.010(4); or private school.

Notice or letter of intent

Signed declaration of intent filed annually with the resident district superintendent (or a nonresident district that accepts transfer) by September 15 or within two weeks of the start of any quarter/trimester/semester.

Need a letter? See our letter of intent and withdrawal letter templates – but use the official form below if there is one.

Subjects, time, assessment and records

Subjects: Occupational education, science, mathematics, language, social studies, history, health, reading, writing, spelling, and appreciation of art and music.
Days or hours: As for approved private schools: 450 hours kindergarten; annual average of 1,000 hours grades 1-12 (liberally interpreted).
Testing or assessment: Annually: SBE-approved standardised achievement test by a qualified person, or written assessment of progress by a currently working certificated educator. If not reasonable progress, parent must make good-faith effort to remedy.
Records: Keep test scores/assessments, immunization records and other instructional records; forward to any school the child later attends.

Parent qualifications

One of: supervision by a certificated person (avg. 1 contact hour/week); 45 college quarter credits (or equivalent); completed home-based instruction course; or deemed qualified by the superintendent.

Other rules

Parent provides materials. Results form part of the permanent record kept by the parent.

Official forms

Declaration of Intent (Appendix A-2): ospi.k12.wa.us/… ; Part-time attendance/ancillary services request (A-1): ospi.k12.wa.us/… ; Pink Book: ospi.k12.wa.us/…

The law

RCW 28A.200.010-.020; 28A.225.010(4); 28A.150.350 – read the law

Who to contact

Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) – Learning Options – Home-Based Instruction[email protected] · 360-725-6229 · Official pageWho handles notices: Local district (superintendent)

Special education and public school classes and sports

Districts must permit part-time enrollment and provide ancillary services (co-curricular, health, counseling, testing, tutoring, sports) on the same basis (RCW 28A.150.350); WIAA eligibility applies to sports. Special ed: home-based students may enroll part-time for IEP services such as speech therapy; district need not change its service schedule (OSPI complaint decision SECC 24-55: ospi.k12.wa.us/…).

Federal rules on Child Find and evaluations apply in every state – see special education.

Going back to public school in Washington State

Washington law says parents must make sure test scores or annual progress assessments, immunization records and other instructional records are forwarded to any school the child transfers to. When the child transfers to a public school, the district superintendent may require a standardized achievement test, and decides grade and course placement after consulting the parents and reviewing the records (RCW 28A.200.010(1)(b)).

Source: Washington law: RCW 28A.200.010

To enroll, contact the enrollment or registration office of your local school district or public school, and ask how it decides grade placement and credits before your child starts. See the Washington State official page, and going back to school after homeschooling for what to bring, placement, credits and special education.

Last checked: October 25, 2026. Report a change to this page

Official sources

Last checked against these sources: October 25, 2026.

This is general information, not legal advice – check your state’s official page. This page sums up official sources in our own words. Homeschool laws differ from state to state and can change. Check your state’s official page and your local school district’s guidance, and get qualified advice for your situation. Classfern is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education, any state education agency, school district, College Board, ACT, the GED Testing Service, HiSET, CLT or the Common App.