Washington State Homeschool Laws: Declaration, Testing, and Qualified Instruction

Washington State has specific homeschool requirements that go beyond simple notification. The qualified instruction rule and annual assessment requirement mean families need to understand the law before starting. The Washington Homeschool Organization (WHO) is the primary resource for in-state guidance — but here's what the law itself actually says.

Washington Homeschool Law Overview

Homeschooling in Washington is governed by RCW 28A.225.010, which provides an exemption from compulsory attendance requirements for home-based instruction. To qualify for this exemption, instruction must meet specific requirements around qualification and content.

Washington's compulsory attendance age runs from 8 through 17 (when a student turns 18, or earlier if they graduate).

Annual Declaration Requirement

Parents must file an annual Declaration of Intent with the local school district superintendent by September 15 of each school year (or within two weeks of beginning to homeschool mid-year). The declaration includes:

• Names and ages of the children
• Location of instruction
• A statement that the parent meets the qualification requirements

The declaration goes to the local district, not a state agency. Washington does not maintain a central homeschool registry.

The Qualified Instruction Requirement

Washington's most distinctive requirement is around who can provide instruction. A parent can homeschool if they meet one of the following conditions:

1. Provide instruction under the supervision of a person who is certificated in Washington
2. Have earned 45 college-level quarter credits or the equivalent in semester credits
3. Have completed a postsecondary course in home-based instruction
4. Have been deemed sufficiently qualified by the local district superintendent

Washington law does not list a district-approved curriculum as a separate qualification route. The parent should be prepared to document whichever statutory qualification applies.

Required Subjects

Washington requires home-based instruction to include instruction in these basic skills and subjects:

• Occupational education
• Science
• Mathematics
• Language
• Social studies
• History
• Health
• Reading
• Writing
• Spelling
• Appreciation of art and music

The requirement covers these areas but does not specify how much time to spend on each or what curriculum to use.

Annual Assessment

Washington requires an annual assessment in one of these forms:

1. Standardized achievement test administered by a qualified individual
2. Written assessment by a certificated person currently working in education

For most families, this means arranging either annual standardized testing (Iowa Test, Stanford, etc.) or a written assessment by a certificated educator. The assessment becomes part of the student's permanent record.

The Washington Homeschool Organization (WHO)

The Washington Homeschool Organization is the main statewide support and advocacy group for Washington homeschoolers. WHO provides:

• Guidance on state law compliance
• An annual conference (typically held in the Puyallup area)
• Connection to local homeschool co-ops and support groups
• Resources for navigating the testing requirement

There are also numerous county and regional organizations throughout the state, as well as faith-based networks.

High School and College Preparation in Washington

Washington's public universities — University of Washington, Washington State University, and other public colleges — accept homeschool graduates with parent-issued transcripts. Western Washington University, Pacific Lutheran, Seattle Pacific, and Gonzaga all have experience working with homeschool applications.

For the University of Washington, homeschool applicants should expect competitive review with emphasis on GPA, ACT/SAT scores, and the course rigor evident from the transcript.

Washington does not have a state merit scholarship equivalent to Georgia's HOPE or Florida's Bright Futures. Need-based state aid comes through the Washington College Grant (formerly State Need Grant), which is available to Washington residents based on FAFSA eligibility. Homeschool graduates may qualify under the current program rules; verify Washington College Grant eligibility and documentation with the state and the student's college.

Starting to Homeschool in Washington

New homeschool families in Washington often reach out to WHO or local co-ops first — finding a co-op with a certified teacher who can handle the annual assessment requirement is a practical first step. Many local co-ops in the Seattle metro, Spokane, and Tri-Cities areas have established testing arrangements.

For high school students looking toward college applications, the work of building a competitive admissions file — transcripts, school profiles, Common App documentation — starts at the same point it does for any homeschooler: grade 9. The US University Admissions Framework walks Washington homeschool families through that process step by step.

Running Start: Washington's Dual Enrollment Program

Washington's Running Start program is one of the most generous dual enrollment opportunities in the country. Some homeschool students may be eligible to take college courses at Washington community and technical colleges, but eligibility and enrollment arrangements must be confirmed with the district and college.

Under Running Start:

• Tuition is free; the student pays only fees and books
• Credits transfer to Washington state universities (UW, WSU, etc.)
• Full-time Running Start students can earn an associate degree alongside their high school completion
• The resulting college transcript serves as strong external validation for any college application

For homeschoolers in Washington, Running Start does not replace the annual home-based-instruction assessment requirement. Confirm the separate assessment arrangement with a certificated educator while building the college-level academic record.

College Admissions from Washington State

The University of Washington (UW Seattle, UW Bothell, UW Tacoma), Washington State University, Western Washington University, Eastern Washington University, and Central Washington University all have admissions processes that accommodate homeschool applicants. Most require the standard package: professional transcript, test scores, and application essays.

The highly selective Reed College (Portland, OR, near the Washington border), Whitman College, Gonzaga, and Seattle Pacific are private institutions that recruit Washington students and have reviewed homeschool applications. Reed in particular is known for valuing self-directed learners — a natural fit for many homeschool graduates.

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