How to become a paraeducator in Washington state.

To become a paraeducator in Washington state, you’ll need to meet a few requirements, including: a high school diploma or GED, and be at least 18 years old. 

Minimum Washington state paraeducator requirements, at a glance: 

• High school diploma or equivalent with a passing score on a professional assessment. Education requirements can vary by district. 
• Background check
• Fingerprinting 

In addition to Washington state requirements, Kelly Education requires: 

• Pre-hire training 

New hire orientation 

At Kelly Education, we refer to this role as paraeducator. That’s because, much like a paramedic or paralegal, the job title reflects the professionalism of the field where the person is working. Some school districts refer to this role by other names, like paraprofessional or teacher’s aide. 

A deeper dive into paraeducator requirements.  

Kelly Education works with many schools in Washinton to place paraeducators, so we know what it takes to get started.  

The process can take a little time, usually a few days to a few weeks. How quickly things move depends on how soon you complete each step. Background checks and fingerprinting, in particular, can slow things down, so it’s helpful to get those going early. 

Certification, licensing, authorization, and permits. 

In Washington, all paraeducators must meet at least one of the following requirements: 

• Completion of an apprenticeship as a paraeducator (the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council must approve the apprenticeship program) 

• Hold an associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university 

• Earned at least 72 quarter credits or 48 semester credits at an accredited college or university (credits must have been earned at the 100 level or higher) 

• Received a passing score on a board-approved assessment (available assessments include the ETS ParaPro test, the Pearson Paraprofessional assessment, and The Master Teacher Inc. Paraeducator Online Training Program). 

Education verification. 

You’ll be required to provide a copy of your high school diploma or college transcripts to begin your work as a paraeducator. To do this, you’ll contact their offices to arrange for them to be sent to your new employer. There may be a small fee associated with this. 

Experience. 

While there are no specific experience requirements to become a paraeducator in Washington state, some experience working with children can make you a more appealing candidate. Also, practicing excellent communication skills, conflict resolution skills, and the ability to problem-solve can make you a good candidate for work as a paraeducator. 

Training. 

Per the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a federal law, paraprofessionals must receive appropriate training if they work with students who have special needs.  

 Washington requires paraeducators to complete a Fundamental Course of Study (FCS) within the first year of employment. All FCSs, regardless of education level, are required to total 28 hours. Topics covered in FCS courses include cultural identity, diversity, technology basics, equity, behavior management, child and adolescent development, communication challenges, health and safety, and more.  

Your school district may also provide training during your orientation or new hire process. 

If working through Kelly Education, we require our paraeducator candidates to complete a pre-hire training module called ParaSmarts. You’ll learn more about what you’ll do as a paraeducator, including role-specific duties and current best practices to help you both support your students and your classroom teacher. 

Once hired, you’ll also complete a one-hour New Hire Orientation, during which you’ll learn more about Kelly Education and district-specific regulations and policies. 

Background screening and fingerprinting. 

Paraeducators are required to complete fingerprinting and a background check with the Washington State Department of Licensing. There is small fee for this important clearance. 

Employment verification. 

Before starting your work as a paraeducator, you’ll need to prove that you’re legally permitted to work in the United States. To complete this step, you’ll submit an I-9 form with valid identification credentials. This form can be completed in just a few minutes. 

Again, if you work with Kelly Education, our team will help you with this. If working for a district, you’ll typically work on this with the human resources team. 

Become a substitute paraeducator with Kelly Education. 

Do you want to get started with a career that makes a difference in the lives of students in your community? Become a paraeducator in Washington state! If you or someone you know is interested in paraeducator or substitute teaching jobs, fill out our brief interest form, and one of our recruiters will contact you to answer your questions. 

We also have an entire library of helpful articles for paraeducators and school educators. Some of our currently available resources include: 

• What is a paraprofessional in schools 

• Understanding IEP and 504 plans 

• Paraeducator job description, duties, and responsibilities 

*Information subject to change. This is a general guideline as of July 2025. School districts may have additional requirements in addition to state requirements. 

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