Home › Homeschool Laws by State › Washington
Washington Homeschool Requirements Moderate regulation
What Washington requires from homeschool families — notification, subjects, hours, testing, and portfolio rules — with links to the current law. This is the same state data FolioKid uses to build your portfolio template.
- Governing law: RCW 28A.200.010
- Required subjects: Reading, Writing, Spelling, Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, History, Health, Occupational Education, Art & Music Appreciation (elementary grades; some states vary by grade)
- Instructional hours: 1000 hours per year (elementary; secondary may differ)
- Instructional days: 180 days per year
- Annual assessment: standardized test (no minimum score) or evaluation by a certificated teacher — records kept by the parent
File an annual declaration of intent with the local superintendent by September 15. 1,000 hours / 180 days per year. Annual assessment: standardized test (no minimum score) or evaluation by a certificated teacher confirming reasonable progress. Instructor qualification required (most commonly 45+ college quarter credits).
Records you must keep in Washington
Washington families keep their own records — nothing is routinely submitted to the district, but you must maintain proof of instruction and an annual assessment. Keep all of the following:
- Evidence of your instructor qualification (45+ college quarter credits, an approved home-based instruction course, certificated-teacher supervision, or superintendent approval)
- A portfolio of work samples across Washington's 11 required subjects
- A record of instructional time — 1,000 hours or 180 days (elementary; secondary may differ)
- Your chosen annual assessment — a standardized test (no minimum score) or an evaluation by a Washington-certificated teacher confirming reasonable progress
- Keep these records on file (Washington does not require you to submit them, but you must maintain them)
Your Washington filing timeline
- By September 15 (each year)File your annual declaration of intent with the local superintendent (or within two weeks of starting mid-year).
- All year longKeep the portfolio, subject samples, and your hours/days record current as you go.
- End of the school yearAdminister a standardized test or have a Washington-certificated teacher assess your child's progress.
- Keep on fileRetain the assessment result and your records — they are not submitted to the district, but must be available.
How FolioKid builds a Washington-compliant portfolio
You do the teaching; FolioKid assembles the records Washington asks you to keep:
- Snap photos of work as it happens — FolioKid tags each entry by subject against Washington's 11 required subjects.
- Log instructional time toward the 1,000-hour / 180-day target with a running total.
- Record your annual assessment — a standardized test score or a certificated teacher's evaluation of reasonable progress.
- Export a Washington-formatted portfolio PDF — or send your certificated evaluator a read-only share link (no account needed, expires in 30 days).
Free: the Washington Homeschool Records Checklist
A one-page printable PDF — exactly what to keep, your filing deadlines, and a blank hours log. We'll email it to you.
✓ Thanks! Check your inbox for your Washington checklist.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. FolioKid is an organizational tool, not legal advice. Prefer to print it now?
Official Washington sources
- 📜 RCW 28A.200.010 — the statute itself
- 🏛️ OSPI — Home-Based Instruction
- 🔎 HSLDA — Washington homeschool law summary
Washington homeschool FAQ
What law governs homeschooling in Washington?
Homeschooling in Washington is governed by RCW 28A.200.010. File an annual declaration of intent with the local superintendent by September 15. 1,000 hours / 180 days per year. Annual assessment: standardized test (no minimum score) or evaluation by a certificated teacher confirming reasonable progress. Instructor qualification required (most commonly 45+ college quarter credits). Always verify current requirements with your state department of education.
What subjects are required for homeschooling in Washington?
Washington requires: Reading, Writing, Spelling, Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, History, Health, Occupational Education, Art & Music Appreciation (elementary grades; some states vary by grade).
How many hours or days of instruction does Washington require?
Washington requires 1000 hours per year (elementary; secondary may differ) and 180 days per year.
Does Washington require testing or a portfolio evaluation?
No — Washington does not require standardized testing or a portfolio evaluation, but keeping a portfolio of your child's work is still the simplest way to document progress.
Keeping records for Washington? Snap photos of your kids' work and FolioKid organizes them into a year-end portfolio PDF — formatted around Washington's requirements.
Start free — no credit card