Washington has detailed homeschool requirements — a Declaration of Intent, parent qualification standards, an extensive subject list, 1,000 instructional hours, and an annual test or assessment. Here is everything WA families need to know in 2026.
Washington State Homeschool Requirements (2026)
Washington is one of the more regulated homeschool states. Requirements include annual filing, a parent qualification standard, a broad required subject list, 1,000 instructional hours per year, and an annual test or assessment. Washington families who understand the framework find it manageable — the key is planning your paperwork and annual assessment early.
📋 Step 1 — File Annual Declaration of Intent
File a Declaration of Intent to provide home-based instruction with your local school district superintendent by September 15 each year
If starting mid-year, file within two weeks of beginning homeschooling
The declaration includes: the name and age of each child, the parent's name, and whether a certificated person will supervise instruction (use the format prescribed by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction)
Re-file the declaration each year to maintain your homeschool authorization
👤 Parent Qualification Requirement
Washington requires the teaching parent to meet at least one of the following qualifications:
Hold 45 or more college quarter credit hours (approximately 30 semester hours) or one year of college
Be deemed sufficiently qualified by your local school district superintendent
Complete a home-based instruction course at a postsecondary or vocational-technical institution
Be supervised by a certificated person who meets with the student at least an average of one hour per week
📚 Required Subjects
Occupational Education (practical arts and career skills)
Science
Mathematics
Language Arts (reading, writing, grammar, spelling)
Social Studies
History
Health
Art and Music appreciation
Washington has one of the more extensive subject lists in the US (RCW 28A.225.010 also names occupational education). You choose the curriculum and teaching methods for each area.
📅 Instructional Hours Requirement
Washington requires a minimum of 1,000 instructional hours per year for all grade levels
No minimum daily hour requirement — distribute 1,000 hours across the year as you choose
At least 1,000 hours annually across required subject areas
Maintaining session logs is essential for demonstrating compliance with Washington's 1,000-hour requirement
📊 Annual Test or Assessment (Required)
Each year, choose one: a State Board of Education-approved standardized achievement test given by a qualified individual, or an annual assessment written by a certificated person currently working in education
If you choose the assessment, the certificated person evaluates your child's educational progress in writing
Assessment results do not need to be submitted to the school district — they are kept at home
Arrange your test or assessor well in advance of year-end
The Washington Homeschool Organization (washhomeschool.org) maintains a list of assessors
📁 Record-Keeping
Maintain session logs tracking your 1,000 instructional hours across all subject areas
Keep your annual test results or written assessment on file at home
Retain work samples across required subjects to support the annual assessment
Keep all records for at least three years in case of any inquiry
⚠️ Always verify current requirements with the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (k12.wa.us) or HSLDA (hslda.org). Laws can change and this page is for general reference only. The Washington Homeschool Organization (washhomeschool.org) is an excellent Washington-specific resource.
Withdrawing from Public School in Washington
If your child is enrolled in a Washington public school, notify the school in writing that you are withdrawing your child to home-based instruct. File your Declaration of Intent with the local district within two weeks of beginning. Make sure you meet the parent qualification requirement before starting. Keep copies of all correspondence and your declaration.
How Lumi Helps Washington Homeschool Families
Washington's 1,000-hour requirement and annual test or assessment make organized records essential. Lumi auto-generates the logs and documentation Washington families need — plus covers the core subject areas out of the box.
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All Required Subjects Covered
Science, Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, History, Civics, Health, and Art — Lumi covers Washington's required subjects plus Coding, US History, Geography, and more across 24+ subjects.
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1,000-Hour Session Logging
Every Lumi session is timestamped automatically. Use the complete session logs to track your progress toward Washington's 1,000-hour annual requirement across subject areas.
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Lesson Activity Logs by Subject
Detailed records of every lesson, subject, and score — helpful for whoever evaluates your child's educational progress across the subject areas.
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Printable Workbooks
Six grade-level workbooks. Print pages as work samples across required subjects to support your annual assessment.
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Printable Report Cards
Auto-generated report cards by subject and grading period — valuable supporting documentation for your annual assessment.
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Flat Family Price
$9.99/month for all your kids. Up to 8 learner profiles on one account. Washington families never pay per child.
Frequently Asked Questions — Homeschooling in Washington State
Do I need to file paperwork with my school district to homeschool in Washington?
Yes. Washington requires you to file a Declaration of Intent to provide home-based instruction with your local school district superintendent by September 15 each year. If you start mid-year, file within two weeks of beginning. You must also meet Washington's parent qualification requirements before beginning to homeschool.
What are Washington's parent qualification requirements?
Washington requires the teaching parent to meet at least one of three qualifications: (1) 45 college quarter credits, or a home-based instruction course at a postsecondary or vocational-technical institution, (2) supervision by a certificated person who meets with the student at least an average of one hour per week, or (3) being deemed sufficiently qualified by the local school district superintendent. A common path is having 45 college quarter credits (about one year of college).
How many hours per year does Washington require?
Washington requires a minimum of 1,000 instructional hours per year — one of the higher requirements among US states. There is no minimum daily hours requirement. You distribute 1,000 hours across the year however your family chooses. Lumi's automatic session logging makes tracking cumulative hours across all subjects straightforward.
Does Washington require an annual assessment?
Yes. Washington requires an annual test or assessment. Each year you either have a State Board of Education-approved standardized achievement test administered by a qualified individual, or have an annual assessment written by a certificated person currently working in education. Results are kept at home; you do not submit them to the school district.
Can my Washington homeschooled child participate in public school activities?
Washington law allows homeschool students to participate in extracurricular activities at their local public school under Washington's homeschool access law. Contact your local school district and the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (wiaa.com) for current eligibility requirements and enrollment timelines.
What is the best homeschool curriculum app for Washington families?
Lumi Academy is particularly well-suited for Washington because of its comprehensive documentation: automatic session logging for the 1,000-hour requirement, lesson logs by subject to support your annual assessment, printable workbook pages as work samples, and report cards for supplemental documentation. Full K–8 curriculum covering all required subjects on any device for up to 8 kids at a flat family price.
Start Homeschooling in Washington with Lumi
free 48-hour trial. Full K–8 curriculum with 1,000-hour session logging, subject lesson logs, and portfolio tools for Washington's annual assessment.