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Washington · Some paperwork
Washington asks you to file a notice before you begin. Here is what goes in it, when it is due, and what happens after.
VerifiedMarch 2026
Written from Washington's own rules. If a step is missing below, it is because your state does not ask for it.
Withdraw from the school your child attends now
If your child is currently enrolled in a public school, tell the school in writing that you are moving to home education. Keep a dated copy for yourself — it is the record that closes out their enrollment.
Send your notice of intent
Washington asks families to file a notice before they begin. The deadline is: Each year, file a signed declaration of intent with the superintendent of your school district by September 15, or within two weeks of the start of any public school quarter, trimester, or semester. It states the child's name and age and whether a certificated person will supervise. It applies to children ages 8 to 17 taught at home. You will do this again at the start of every school year. It goes to Local school district superintendent (receives the declaration of intent); Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) provides technical assistance on home-based instruction.
Cover the subjects the state names
Washington names 11 subject areas to teach. How you teach them, in what order, and with which materials is entirely up to you.
Keep a light record as you go
Attendance, a few work samples each term, and a running list of what you covered. Washington does not require you to keep records, but a simple folder of work samples makes transcripts and college applications far easier later on.
Plan the assessment early
Washington asks for an assessment. You can choose from: Annual standardized achievement test approved by the State Board of Education (given by a qualified individual); results go into your child's permanent records; Annual written assessment of your child's academic progress by a certificated person currently working in the field of education; it goes into your child's permanent records. Deciding early which route you will take saves a scramble.
No program on file yet
We do not have a verified Washington education savings account, scholarship, or tax credit for homeschooling families on file. That may mean the state has none, or it may mean we have not confirmed one yet — we would rather say so than point you at something we have not checked. State programs change often, so it is worth asking Local school district superintendent (receives the declaration of intent); Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) provides technical assistance on home-based instruction directly.
Is homeschooling legal in Washington?
Yes. Homeschooling is legal in Washington. Washington has moderate homeschool regulation — some requirements apply but they are generally manageable. Koydo can put the dates your state lists on your calendar.
Do I need to file a Notice of Intent to homeschool in Washington?
Yes. Washington requires families to file a Notice of Intent by Each year, file a signed declaration of intent with the superintendent of your school district by September 15, or within two weeks of the start of any public school quarter, trimester, or semester. It states the child's name and age and whether a certificated person will supervise. It applies to children ages 8 to 17 taught at home.. This notice must be renewed annually.
How many instruction days are required in Washington?
Washington requires 1,000 hours a year.
What subjects are required by law in Washington?
Washington requires instruction in the following subjects: Reading, Writing, Spelling, Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, History, Health, Occupational Education, Art and Music Appreciation.
Does Washington require annual assessment for homeschoolers?
Yes. Washington requires annual assessment. Accepted methods include: Annual standardized achievement test approved by the State Board of Education (given by a qualified individual); results go into your child's permanent records, Annual written assessment of your child's academic progress by a certificated person currently working in the field of education; it goes into your child's permanent records.
Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in Washington?
Washington has teacher qualification requirements: Parent teaches only their own child and meets one of three routes: (1) instruction is supervised by a certificated person (planning objectives together, an average of one contact hour per week each month, and evaluation of progress; one supervisor may oversee up to 30 children); (2) the parent has earned 45 college-level quarter credit hours (or semester equivalent) or completed a course in home-based instruction at a postsecondary or vocational-technical institution; or (3) the local school district superintendent deems the parent sufficiently qualified. (RCW 28A.225.010(4))
Can homeschoolers participate in public school sports in Washington?
Washington has a law on this. Rules for joining school sports and activities are set through each school district and the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA); districts may delegate control to WIAA (RCW 28A.600.200). Ask your district and check the current WIAA handbook for home-school student rules and any yearly form.
Washington asks you to file a declaration of intent each year (ages 8 to 17), teach the 11 listed subjects for the hours private schools offer (1,000 a year in grades 1-12), give a yearly standardized test or get a written progress assessment from a certificated person, and meet one of three parent qualification routes (certificated supervision, 45 college credits or a home-based instruction course, or the superintendent's approval). Running Start is open to eligible 11th and 12th graders.
The free tools below work whether or not you ever pay us a penny; each tile says what it needs. Use what helps with Washington's requirements and ignore the rest.
Last checked in March 2026. Laws change between checks, so confirm anything you are about to file with Local school district superintendent (receives the declaration of intent); Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) provides technical assistance on home-based instruction. This is information for families, not legal advice.