Washington Homeschool Laws & Requirements
Here's what Washington requires of homeschooling families, reviewed for the 2026 school year.
What Washington requires
Notification / Filing
File Declaration of Intent with local school district by September 15 or within 2 weeks of starting.
Required Subjects
Reading, Writing, Spelling, Language, Math, Science, Social Studies, History, Health, Occupational Education, Art, Music, Physical Education
Instructional Days
180 days or 1,000 hours per year for grades 1-12.
Instructional Hours
At least 1000 hours of instruction per year.
Standardized Testing
Annual assessment: standardized test by a qualified person, or certified teacher evaluation.
Immunization
Must comply with immunization requirements or file an exemption.
Withdrawing from Public School
File a Declaration of Intent with the school district.
Additional Notes
Washington requires annual declaration, specific subjects, and annual assessment. Parents must be supervised by certified teacher, have 45 college credit hours, or complete parent qualifying course. Compulsory ages are 8-18.
Stay Washington compliant without the spreadsheets
- âAuto-tracks your required 180 days of instruction
- âChecks off all 13 required subjects as you add courses
- âAlerts you automatically if Washington's requirements change
- âGenerates transcripts, report cards & attendance records ready to submit
14 days free. No credit card required.
Washington homeschooling FAQ
Does Washington require homeschool notification?
File Declaration of Intent with local school district by September 15 or within 2 weeks of starting.
How many instructional days or hours does Washington require?
Washington requires at least 180 instructional days per year (about 1000 hours).
Is standardized testing required for homeschoolers in Washington?
Annual assessment: standardized test by a qualified person, or certified teacher evaluation.
What subjects are required for homeschooling in Washington?
Washington requires instruction in: Reading, Writing, Spelling, Language, Math, Science, Social Studies, History, Health, Occupational Education, Art, Music, Physical Education.
Does Washington require homeschoolers to keep a portfolio or records?
No. Washington does not require a formal portfolio, though keeping records is always recommended.
Source: https://hslda.org/post/how-to-comply-with-washingtons-homeschool-law
This page is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Always confirm current requirements with your state's department of education.
Track Washington compliance automatically
HomeSkoolHelper monitors Washington's requirements for you â logging attendance days, required subjects, and testing deadlines â and alerts you the moment the law changes.
Start Your Free Trial14 days free. No credit card required.