IEP Timelines in Washington
What are the IEP timelines in Washington?
Washington State has a distinct set of timelines governing the special education process, many using school days rather than calendar days. The two most significant Washington-specific timelines are the 25-school-day referral decision and 35-school-day evaluation completion requirements (WAC 392-172A-03005), both stricter than the federal 60-calendar-day evaluation standard. Following eligibility determination, the IEP must be in effect within 30 calendar days (WAC 392-172A-03100). Key timelines include: referral decision within 25 school days; evaluation completion within 35 school days of consent; IEP in effect within 30 calendar days of eligibility; reevaluation at least every 3 years within 35 school days of consent; IEP annual review; PWN a reasonable time before proposed actions; IEE district response within 15 days; state complaint OSPI decision within 60 days; due process filing within 2 years; resolution meeting within 15 days of filing; resolution period 30 days; hearing decision 45 days after resolution period; MDR within 10 school days of placement change; parent verbal notification of restraint/isolation by end of business day (same day); written notification within 5 business days; staff written report within 2 business days; and rights transfer notice in IEP beginning at age 17.
What Washington Requires
Washington uses school days for evaluation timelines — 25 school days for referral decision and 35 school days for evaluation completion — stricter than the federal 60 calendar days (WAC 392-172A-03005).
IEP must be in effect within 30 calendar days of the initial eligibility determination — a Washington-specific requirement (WAC 392-172A-03100).
All evaluation timelines apply equally to reevaluations: 35 school days from consent (WAC 392-172A-03015).
Restraint/isolation notification: same-day verbal (by end of business day) and 5-business-day written — specific Washington timelines (RCW 28A.600.485).
Dispute resolution timelines: state complaint 60 days (WAC 392-172A-05030); resolution meeting 15 days (WAC 392-172A-05090); resolution period 30 days; hearing decision 45 days (WAC 392-172A-05105).
IEE district response: 15 days (WAC 392-172A-05005).
MDR: within 10 school days of placement change decision (WAC 392-172A-05146).
Key Timelines
25 school days: referral decision (WAC 392-172A-03005).
35 school days: evaluation/reevaluation completion from consent (WAC 392-172A-03005; WAC 392-172A-03015).
30 calendar days: IEP in effect after eligibility determination (WAC 392-172A-03100).
3 years: triennial reevaluation (WAC 392-172A-03015(1)(b)).
15 days: IEE district response (WAC 392-172A-05005).
60 days: state complaint OSPI decision (WAC 392-172A-05030).
2 years: due process filing deadline (WAC 392-172A-05080).
15 days: resolution meeting after due process filing (WAC 392-172A-05090(2)(a)).
30 days: resolution period (WAC 392-172A-05090(2)(b)).
45 days: hearing decision after resolution period (WAC 392-172A-05105; 34 CFR 300.515(a)).
10 school days: MDR after placement change decision (WAC 392-172A-05146).
End of business day (same day): verbal parent notification of restraint/isolation (RCW 28A.600.485).
5 business days: written parent notification of restraint/isolation (RCW 28A.600.485).
2 business days: staff written report of restraint/isolation to district (RCW 28A.600.485).
January 1: annual district restraint/isolation report to OSPI (RCW 28A.600.485).