Homeschool Law Map
General information only — not legal advice. Laws change; confirm with your state or territory education agency or an attorney.

Washington homeschool laws

Moderate regulation State Rank 46 of 56 (1 = easiest)

Confidence: High · Last verified:

53.8
Freedom score / 100
This is general information, not legal advice. Requirements shown are for the scored pathway: Home-based instruction. Other pathways may have different rules.

Current regulations

Notification & registration Requirement exists

Annual signed declaration of intent to local superintendent by Sept 15 (or within 2 weeks of a quarter/semester start).

Parent / instructor qualifications Requirement exists

One of: supervised by certificated person (1 contact hr/week), 45 college quarter credits, completed home-based-education course, or deemed qualified by superintendent.

Required subjects Requirement exists

Occupational education, science, math, language, social studies, history, health, reading, writing, spelling, appreciation of art and music.

Testing & assessment Requirement exists

Annual: state-board-approved standardized test or evaluation by certificated person; results kept in permanent record, not submitted.

Records, days & reporting Requirement exists

180 days or average 1,000 hours/year; keep permanent record of tests/assessments.

Oversight Requirement exists

Local superintendent (declaration only).

Immunization & other requirements None in scored pathway

None stated.

Legal pathways

Scored pathway: Home-based instruction. The score uses the least-burdensome parent-led pathway defined in law (see methodology).

Who to notify & where to start

Annual signed declaration of intent to local superintendent by Sept 15 (or within 2 weeks of a quarter/semester start).

Official agency / statute links:

Recent changes

HSLDA lists Washington SB 6261 among 2026 bills (outcome not verified).

Also see Law watch.

How the score breaks down

Notification, registration & approval 10 / 20
Parent/instructor qualifications 7.5 / 10
Required subjects & curriculum mandates 7.5 / 10
Testing, assessment & evaluation 12.5 / 25
Records, reporting & official oversight 3.8 / 15
Mandated instruction time 5 / 10
Other burdens (immunization paperwork, ID docs, background checks, local discretion) 0 / 10

Regulation burden 46.3 / 100 → freedom score 53.8. Bars show burden points per criterion (longer = more burdensome). HSLDA's own map tier for comparison: Moderate (summary dated 2025-03-27).

Data notes

Sources

Primary / official

Secondary

Last verified . Spot an error or an update? See how to report a correction or email support@homeschoollawmap.com.

Helpful resources for Washington families

Types of services families in this jurisdiction commonly look for, based on the requirements above. These are categories, not endorsements.

Standardized testing services

Nationally normed achievement tests that families can order for home administration or take at a testing site.

Why shown: Washington's scored pathway includes a testing or assessment requirement.

Partner links coming soon.

Portfolio and evaluation services

Certified teachers or evaluators who review a student portfolio or write an annual progress evaluation.

Why shown: Washington's scored pathway lists a portfolio, evaluation, or similar review as an option or requirement.

Partner links coming soon.

Curriculum and course providers

Complete curricula, single-subject courses, and online programs, including options organized around required subjects.

Why shown: Washington lists required subjects or curriculum expectations.

Partner links coming soon.

Record-keeping and planning tools

Attendance logs, lesson planners, transcript and portfolio organizers for keeping the records your jurisdiction may ask for.

Why shown: Washington asks for notices, records, attendance, or instruction time in the scored pathway.

Partner links coming soon.

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