Homeschooling in Washington? We’ll walk you through it.
detailed requirementsThousands of Washington families homeschool successfully. The process has more steps than some states, but every one is manageable, and we'll walk you through it.
Washington has more detailed requirements than many states, but the framework under RCW 28A.200.010 and RCW 28A.225.010 is clear. You file an annual declaration of intent, meet one of the instructor qualifications, cover eleven subject areas, provide instruction for the required annual hours, and arrange an annual test or assessment. The law gives you more than one way to meet the instructor qualification.
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Washington homeschool requirements include conditions and exceptions. Compare the pathways below and read the conditions alongside each supported requirement.
Source: RCW 28A.200.010. Last reviewed October 2026. Current through the Washington legislative session that ended March 6, 2026. State education department page checked for changes October 27, 2026.
- Regulation level
- High
- Compulsory ages
- 8–18
- Notification required
- Yes — simple notice to superintendent of the public school district where the parent resides, or the district that accepts the transfer by September 15 of the school year, or within two weeks of the beginning of any public school quarter, trimester, or semester
- Assessment required
- Yes — Standardized test or Teacher evaluation, annually
- Required subjects
- 11 (reading, writing, spelling, language, mathematics, ...)
- Primary statute
- RCW 28A.200.010
Conditions and exceptions
Standard Home-Based Instruction (45 College Credits)
- The required filing is the annual declaration of intent to your district superintendent (RCW 28A.200.010(1)(a)). No state law requires a separate withdrawal letter to your child's school.
- Home-based instruction is measured by total annual hours (1,000 for grades 1-12, 450 for kindergarten), not a day count. The 180-day figure in RCW 28A.195.010(1) applies to private schools, which may use it as an alternative to hours.
- The 1,000-hour baseline applies to grades 1–12; kindergarten uses 450 hours. RCW 28A.225.010 incorporates the private-school annual hours and calls for liberal construction of home-based educational activities. This does not impose a separate universal 180-day homeschool calendar.
- RCW 28A.225.010(4) measures home-based instruction by total annual hours, not hours per day, and subsection (5) says the quantity of activities is liberally construed.
- Results stay in the child's permanent records at home; the statute does not require sending them to the district or OSPI. They must be forwarded if the child transfers to another school (RCW 28A.200.010(1)(b)).
- The parent duties in RCW 28A.200.010(1) are the declaration, forwarding records on transfer, and the annual test or assessment; none requires an attendance log. The annual-hours standard in RCW 28A.225.010(4) still applies.
- The annual test or written assessment must be kept in the child's permanent records (RCW 28A.200.010(1)(c)); no grade book or portfolio is required.
- No routine district inspection of home records. If the child later transfers to a public school, the district may require a standardized test and reviews the child's records for placement (RCW 28A.200.010(1)(b)).
Home-Based Instruction (Approved Course)
- The required filing is the annual declaration of intent to your district superintendent (RCW 28A.200.010(1)(a)). No state law requires a separate withdrawal letter to your child's school.
- Home-based instruction is measured by total annual hours (1,000 for grades 1-12, 450 for kindergarten), not a day count. The 180-day figure in RCW 28A.195.010(1) applies to private schools, which may use it as an alternative to hours.
- The 1,000-hour baseline applies to grades 1–12; kindergarten uses 450 hours. RCW 28A.225.010 incorporates the private-school annual hours and calls for liberal construction of home-based educational activities. This does not impose a separate universal 180-day homeschool calendar.
- RCW 28A.225.010(4) measures home-based instruction by total annual hours, not hours per day, and subsection (5) says the quantity of activities is liberally construed.
- Results stay in the child's permanent records at home; the statute does not require sending them to the district or OSPI. They must be forwarded if the child transfers to another school (RCW 28A.200.010(1)(b)).
- The parent duties in RCW 28A.200.010(1) are the declaration, forwarding records on transfer, and the annual test or assessment; none requires an attendance log. The annual-hours standard in RCW 28A.225.010(4) still applies.
- The annual test or written assessment must be kept in the child's permanent records (RCW 28A.200.010(1)(c)); no grade book or portfolio is required.
- No routine district inspection of home records. If the child later transfers to a public school, the district may require a standardized test and reviews the child's records for placement (RCW 28A.200.010(1)(b)).
Home-Based Instruction (Certified Teacher Supervision)
- The required filing is the annual declaration of intent to your district superintendent (RCW 28A.200.010(1)(a)). No state law requires a separate withdrawal letter to your child's school.
- Home-based instruction is measured by total annual hours (1,000 for grades 1-12, 450 for kindergarten), not a day count. The 180-day figure in RCW 28A.195.010(1) applies to private schools, which may use it as an alternative to hours.
- The 1,000-hour baseline applies to grades 1–12; kindergarten uses 450 hours. RCW 28A.225.010 incorporates the private-school annual hours and calls for liberal construction of home-based educational activities. This does not impose a separate universal 180-day homeschool calendar.
- RCW 28A.225.010(4) measures home-based instruction by total annual hours, not hours per day, and subsection (5) says the quantity of activities is liberally construed.
- Results stay in the child's permanent records at home; the statute does not require sending them to the district or OSPI. They must be forwarded if the child transfers to another school (RCW 28A.200.010(1)(b)).
- The parent duties in RCW 28A.200.010(1) are the declaration, forwarding records on transfer, and the annual test or assessment; none requires an attendance log. The annual-hours standard in RCW 28A.225.010(4) still applies.
- The annual test or written assessment must be kept in the child's permanent records (RCW 28A.200.010(1)(c)); no grade book or portfolio is required.
- No routine district inspection of home records. If the child later transfers to a public school, the district may require a standardized test and reviews the child's records for placement (RCW 28A.200.010(1)(b)).
Home-Based Instruction (Deemed Qualified by Superintendent)
- The required filing is the annual declaration of intent to your district superintendent (RCW 28A.200.010(1)(a)). No state law requires a separate withdrawal letter to your child's school.
- Home-based instruction is measured by total annual hours (1,000 for grades 1-12, 450 for kindergarten), not a day count. The 180-day figure in RCW 28A.195.010(1) applies to private schools, which may use it as an alternative to hours.
- The 1,000-hour baseline applies to grades 1–12; kindergarten uses 450 hours. RCW 28A.225.010 incorporates the private-school annual hours and calls for liberal construction of home-based educational activities. This does not impose a separate universal 180-day homeschool calendar.
- RCW 28A.225.010(4) measures home-based instruction by total annual hours, not hours per day, and subsection (5) says the quantity of activities is liberally construed.
- Results stay in the child's permanent records at home; the statute does not require sending them to the district or OSPI. They must be forwarded if the child transfers to another school (RCW 28A.200.010(1)(b)).
- The parent duties in RCW 28A.200.010(1) are the declaration, forwarding records on transfer, and the annual test or assessment; none requires an attendance log. The annual-hours standard in RCW 28A.225.010(4) still applies.
- The annual test or written assessment must be kept in the child's permanent records (RCW 28A.200.010(1)(c)); no grade book or portfolio is required.
- No routine district inspection of home records. If the child later transfers to a public school, the district may require a standardized test and reviews the child's records for placement (RCW 28A.200.010(1)(b)).
Private School Extension Program
- Extension-program students are enrolled in the approved private school (RCW 28A.225.010(1)(a)); OSPI guidance says the home-based declaration of intent and other RCW 28A.200 duties do not apply to them.
- The approved private school files its own annual certificate of compliance with the State Board of Education (RCW 28A.195.010).
- Enrollment in the approved private school's extension program satisfies compulsory attendance (RCW 28A.225.010(1)(a)). No state law requires a withdrawal letter to the public school.
- No parent credential is required, but the parent must be supervised by a certificated employee of the approved private school.
- The law allows 180 school days OR the equivalent in annual instructional hours (1,000 hours for grades 1-12, 450 for kindergarten). This is a standard for the approved private school's program; follow the school's calendar.
- Annual hours alternative: 1,000 hours for grades 1–12, 450 for kindergarten. The law allows 180 days OR equivalent annual hours; follow the approved private school’s applicable calendar.
- RCW 28A.195.010(2) uses the RCW 28A.150.203 definition of a school day, which sets no minimum number of hours per day.
- An approved private-school extension program requires evaluation by the supervising certificated person. This is separate from the annual standardized-test-or-assessment choices for home-based instruction.
- The supervising certificated person evaluates each student's progress. State law does not set how often; there is no annual test requirement for extension-program students (OSPI Pink Book, Private Schools Q6).
- No grade-specific testing applies: extension-program students are not required to take a standardized achievement test (OSPI Pink Book, Private Schools Q6). Each student's progress is evaluated by the supervising certificated person.
- No state test or passing score applies. Evaluation standards are a matter for the approved private school (RCW 28A.195.010, final paragraph).
- The evaluation is done by the approved school's certificated supervisor. No state law requires the family to submit results to the district or the state; the RCW 28A.200.010 testing duties do not apply to extension-program students (OSPI Pink Book, Private Schools Q4).
- No state law requires the family to keep attendance records. The approved private school must safeguard students' permanent records (RCW 28A.195.010(5)); other recordkeeping is set by the school's own policies.
- No state law requires the family to keep grades. The approved private school must safeguard students' permanent records (RCW 28A.195.010(5)); other recordkeeping is set by the school's own policies.
- No state law requires the family to keep a portfolio. Each student's progress is evaluated by the school's certificated supervisor (RCW 28A.195.010(4)(d)).
- No state law gives the district or the state a right to review the family's records. The approved private school must safeguard students' permanent records (RCW 28A.195.010(5)).
The essentials under the Standard Home-Based Instruction (45 College Credits)
- 1Notification requirements vary by pathway
- 2Teach 11 required subjects
- 3Assessment requirements vary by pathway
- 4Instructional time requirements vary by pathway
- 5Reporting requirements vary by pathway
- 6Renew your filing annually by September 15 (or within two weeks of the beginning of any public school quarter, trimester, or semester)
Washington offers 5 options. See all below.
What to know about homeschooling in Washington
Washington's homeschool law (RCW 28A.200.010) requires a signed declaration of intent each year, filed by September 15 of the school year or within two weeks of the beginning of any public school quarter, trimester, or semester. It goes to the superintendent of the public school district where you live, or of a district that accepts the transfer. The declaration includes the name and age of your child and whether a certificated person will supervise the instruction, and it must follow the format prescribed by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). OSPI publishes a Declaration of Intent form on its home-based instruction page.
The instructor qualification is a distinctive feature of Washington's law. Under RCW 28A.225.010(4), the parent must meet one of these: be supervised by a certificated person, have earned 45 college-level quarter credit hours or the equivalent in semester hours, have completed a course in home-based instruction at a postsecondary institution or vocational-technical institute, or be deemed sufficiently qualified by the superintendent of the local school district.
Instruction is measured in annual hours equivalent to those set for approved private schools: 1,000 hours for grades 1 through 12 and 450 hours for kindergarten. There is no separate day count or daily hours requirement for home-based instruction, and the law says the nature and quantity of home-based activities are to be liberally construed. Each year, your child takes a standardized achievement test approved by the State Board of Education, given by a qualified individual, or receives a written assessment of academic progress from a certificated person currently working in education. There is no minimum score. The result goes into your child's permanent records, and if it shows your child is not making reasonable progress for his or her age or stage of development, you make a good faith effort to remedy it.
Eleven subject areas are required: occupational education, science, mathematics, language, social studies, history, health, reading, writing, spelling, and the development of an appreciation of art and music.
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- Facts backed by official law
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- Quoted word for word from the law
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- Confirmed not required by law
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Explore the individual claims and cited sources behind this state's requirements.
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source records linked
Additional reference links: 3 sources including the state DOE and HSLDA.
Review status
Last reviewed October 2026. We check Washington's official sources for changes twice a week.
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How homeschooling works in Washington
Washington offers 5 options to homeschool. The most common is highlighted.
Washington's four home-based instruction pathways differ only in how the parent meets the instructor qualification. The 45 college credits pathway and the approved course pathway are both under RCW 28A.225.010(4)(b). The certified teacher supervision pathway under (4)(a) involves planning objectives with a certificated person, an average of at least one contact hour per week with your child each month, and evaluation of your child's progress by that person. The superintendent pathway under (4)(c) applies when your local superintendent deems you sufficiently qualified. A private school extension program under RCW 28A.195.010 is a separate option, where you teach at home under the supervision of a certificated employee of an approved private school. Your child is then enrolled in the private school, so you do not file a declaration of intent and the home-based testing rules do not apply. The school's certificated supervisor evaluates your child's progress. State law does not require you to send results to the district or to keep your own attendance or grade records; the school keeps its students' permanent records.
| 45 College CreditsMost common | Approved Course | Certified Teacher Supervision | Deemed Qualified by Superintendent | Private School Extension | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Filing | Annual (September 15 of the school year, or within two weeks of the beginning of any public school quarter, trimester, or semester) | Annual (September 15 of the school year, or within two weeks of the beginning of any public school quarter, trimester, or semester) | Annual (September 15 of the school year, or within two weeks of the beginning of any public school quarter, trimester, or semester) | Annual (September 15 of the school year, or within two weeks of the beginning of any public school quarter, trimester, or semester) | None |
| Testing | Test or Evaluation, annually | Test or Evaluation, annually | Test or Evaluation, annually | Test or Evaluation, annually | Evaluation |
| Credential | See details | See details | See details | See details | None |
| Hours/days | 1000 hrs/yr | 1000 hrs/yr | 1000 hrs/yr | 1000 hrs/yr | 1000 hrs/yr, 180 days/yr |
Standard Home-Based Instruction (45 College Credits)
RCW 28A.225.010(4)(b); RCW 28A.200.010
Notification
Varies by pathway
RCW 28A.200.010(1)(a) (declaration of intent to provide home-based instruction) ·
Required subjects
reading, writing, spelling, language, mathematics, science, social studies, history, health, occupational education, art and music appreciation
RCW 28A.225.010(4) (curriculum and instruction in basic skills) ·
Testing / assessment
Varies by pathway
RCW 28A.200.010(1)(c) (annual standardized test or assessment by certificated person) ·
Instructional time
Varies by pathway
RCW 28A.225.010(4) (hours equivalent to approved private schools per RCW 28A.195.010); RCW 28A.195.010 (1,000 hours grades 1-12, 450 hours kindergarten, 180 days) ·
Sourced from RCW 28A.225.010(4)(b); RCW 28A.200.010. Last reviewed October 2026 · 32 individual claims tracked
Home-Based Instruction (Approved Course)
RCW 28A.225.010(4)(b); RCW 28A.200.010
Notification
simple notice to superintendent of the public school district where the parent resides, or the district that accepts the transfer by September 15 of the school year, or within two weeks of the beginning of any public school quarter, trimester, or semester
RCW 28A.200.010(1)(a) (declaration of intent to provide home-based instruction) ·
Required subjects
reading, writing, spelling, language, mathematics, science, social studies, history, health, occupational education, art and music appreciation
RCW 28A.225.010(4) (curriculum and instruction in basic skills) ·
Testing / assessment
Standardized test or Teacher evaluation — annually
RCW 28A.200.010(1)(c) (annual standardized test or assessment by certificated person) ·
Instructional time
1000 hours/year
RCW 28A.225.010(4) (hours equivalent to approved private schools per RCW 28A.195.010); RCW 28A.195.010 (1,000 hours grades 1-12, 450 hours kindergarten, 180 days) ·
Sourced from RCW 28A.225.010(4)(b); RCW 28A.200.010. Last reviewed October 2026 · 30 individual claims tracked
Home-Based Instruction (Certified Teacher Supervision)
RCW 28A.225.010(4)(a); RCW 28A.200.010
Notification
simple notice to superintendent of the public school district where the parent resides, or the district that accepts the transfer by September 15 of the school year, or within two weeks of the beginning of any public school quarter, trimester, or semester
RCW 28A.200.010(1)(a) (declaration of intent to provide home-based instruction) ·
Required subjects
reading, writing, spelling, language, mathematics, science, social studies, history, health, occupational education, art and music appreciation
RCW 28A.225.010(4) (curriculum and instruction in basic skills) ·
Testing / assessment
Standardized test or Teacher evaluation — annually
RCW 28A.200.010(1)(c) (annual standardized test or assessment by certificated person) ·
Instructional time
1000 hours/year
RCW 28A.225.010(4) (hours equivalent to approved private schools per RCW 28A.195.010); RCW 28A.195.010 (1,000 hours grades 1-12, 450 hours kindergarten, 180 days) ·
Sourced from RCW 28A.225.010(4)(a); RCW 28A.200.010. Last reviewed October 2026 · 30 individual claims tracked
Home-Based Instruction (Deemed Qualified by Superintendent)
RCW 28A.225.010(4)(c); RCW 28A.200.010
Notification
simple notice to superintendent of the public school district where the parent resides, or the district that accepts the transfer by September 15 of the school year, or within two weeks of the beginning of any public school quarter, trimester, or semester
RCW 28A.200.010(1)(a) (declaration of intent to provide home-based instruction) ·
Required subjects
reading, writing, spelling, language, mathematics, science, social studies, history, health, occupational education, art and music appreciation
RCW 28A.225.010(4) (curriculum and instruction in basic skills) ·
Testing / assessment
Standardized test or Teacher evaluation — annually
RCW 28A.200.010(1)(c) (annual standardized test or assessment by certificated person) ·
Instructional time
1000 hours/year
RCW 28A.225.010(4) (hours equivalent to approved private schools per RCW 28A.195.010); RCW 28A.195.010 (1,000 hours grades 1-12, 450 hours kindergarten, 180 days) ·
Sourced from RCW 28A.225.010(4)(c); RCW 28A.200.010. Last reviewed October 2026 · 30 individual claims tracked
Private School Extension Program
Notification
None required
Required subjects
reading, writing, spelling, language, mathematics, science, social studies, history, health, occupational education, art and music appreciation
RCW 28A.195.010 (private school subject requirements) ·
Testing / assessment
Teacher evaluation
RCW 28A.195.010 (private school assessment and evaluation requirements) ·
Instructional time
180 days/year, 1000 hours/year
RCW 28A.195.010 (private school instructional hour requirements; 1,000 hours grades 1-12, 450 hours kindergarten, 180 days) ·
Sourced from RCW 28A.195.010. Last reviewed October 2026 · 26 individual claims tracked
Forms and filings
Standard Home-Based Instruction Notice of Intent
Issued by: superintendent of the local school district
When due: September 15 of each school year, or within two weeks of the start of any public school quarter if beginning mid-year
Home-Based Instruction Notice of Intent
Issued by: superintendent of the local school district
When due: September 15 of each school year, or within two weeks of the start of any public school quarter if beginning mid-year
Home-Based Instruction Notice of Intent
Issued by: superintendent of the local school district
When due: September 15 of each school year, or within two weeks of the start of any public school quarter if beginning mid-year
Home-Based Instruction Notice of Intent
Issued by: superintendent of the local school district
When due: September 15 of each school year, or within two weeks of the start of any public school quarter if beginning mid-year
Washington-specific tips
Practical guidancePart-time public school. Under RCW 28A.150.350, school district boards shall permit enrollment and provide ancillary services for part-time students, including students receiving home-based instruction, if they would otherwise be eligible for full-time enrollment. Running Start is open to eligible 11th and 12th grade students in home-based instruction.
Assessment choices. There is no minimum score on the standardized test. A written assessment by a certificated person currently working in education is the alternative. OSPI links the State Board of Education's list of approved tests.
Planning your hours. With 1,000 hours for grades 1 through 12, a simple log can help you see your progress. The law does not require you to keep an attendance log.
IEP and special needs. IEP services end when you withdraw from public school. Part-time students, including homeschooled students, may receive ancillary services from the district under RCW 28A.150.350. Contact your district's special education office to ask what is available.
Explore Washington homeschool guides
How to Start
Step-by-step guide to getting started in Washington
Compliance Checklist
Every requirement in one checklist
Documents & Templates
Forms, letters, and what to file
Deadlines & Calendar
Filing dates and assessment deadlines
Assessment Requirements
Testing rules and what scores mean
High School
Transcripts, diplomas, and college prep
Special Needs
IEP services, therapy access, and rights
Compare with Another State
Side-by-side law comparison for relocating families
Your independent resources
Official sources and independent organizations are listed separately below. Check the source and effective date before relying on an unresolved requirement.
State Law
RCW 28A.200.010State DOE
Washington Department of EducationLast reviewed October 2026 · How we verify