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Washington · Court requirements

Parenting seminar requirements in six Washington counties

Most Washington counties require separating parents to complete a parenting seminar. Each county court sets its own rule and names its own providers. This page summarizes what six county courts publish, with a link to each official page.

Pierce County

What the court requires
The Impact on Children seminar, under local rule PCLSPR 94.05. It applies to cases that need a parenting plan or residential schedule. It must be completed within 60 days after service of the petition or motion that starts the case.
Who provides it

Only providers on the court’s approved list. The list for October 1 to December 31, 2026 names five:

  • Harbor Wellness
  • Family Education and Support Services (Consider the Children)
  • Army (JBLM) Family Advocacy Center: in person, free, for DOD ID cardholders only
  • Always Parents
  • Institute for Children's Advocacy

The court reissues this list each quarter, and the court’s current list is the one to rely on. The fee is no more than $60 per seminar unless the judges approve more. A sliding scale or waiver may be available.

Online
Allowed, but only from an approved Pierce County provider, unless a judicial officer grants a special waiver. Not every approved provider offers an online seminar.
Other routes
  • Equivalent seminar. The court may approve a seminar from another agency or religious organization as equivalent in course content and instructor qualifications. Ask the court for approval before you take it.
  • Another county or state. A seminar from another county or state may be accepted case by case.
This course
It is not the Impact on Children seminar, and it is not on the approved list. Pierce County does not publish a list of additional high-conflict classes.

Official page: Impact on Children Seminar Details · Approved provider list · Superior Court, (253) 798-3654

Last checked October 2, 2026.

King County

What the court requires
The “What about the Children” seminar, under local rule LFLR 13(c). It must be completed within 60 days after service of the petition on the responding party.
Who provides it
The court runs it. It costs $80 per parent. To ask for a fee waiver, email [email protected] before you register.
Online
Live on Zoom only. You must stay for the whole session to receive credit.
Other providers
The court publishes no list of outside providers and no way to approve one.
This course
It is not the King County seminar.

Official page: Register for the parent seminar · LFLR 13

Last checked October 2, 2026.

Snohomish County

What the court requires
An approved parenting seminar under local rule SCLSPR 94.04. It must be completed within 60 days after service of the petition or initiating motion.
Who provides it
The court’s page says that since September 1, 2020 the only approved seminars are Successful Co-Parenting and Children in Between.
Online
Children in Between is offered online.
This course
It is not one of the two approved seminars.

Official page: Parenting seminar · Administrative Order 05-20

Last checked October 2, 2026.

Spokane County

What the court requires
An approved parenting seminar, “Sharing the Children”, under local rule LSPR 94.03. Both parties must complete it within 60 days after service.
Who provides it

Providers on the court’s list. The list on the court’s site is dated October 2024 and names two:

  • Fulcrum Institute, in person
  • Northwest Mediation Center, live on Zoom

Equivalent services from a private agency may be used with approval from the court’s Family Law Committee.

Online
The listed seminars are live, either in person or on Zoom. The rule does not address self-paced courses.
This course
It is not on the court’s list.

Official page: Sharing the Children provider list · 2026 local court rules

Last checked October 2, 2026. The provider list is dated October 2024; confirm with the court that it is current.

Thurston County

What the court requires
“Consider the Children”, a 4-hour seminar under local rule LSPR 94.06. It must be completed within 45 days after service. Parties who attended within the last two years are excused.
Who provides it
Family Education & Support Services. The court’s page says it “only approves of the online parenting classes listed” on that page.
Online
Yes, through the classes listed on the court’s page.
This course
It is not the Thurston County seminar.

Official page: Parenting class · Family Education & Support Services, (360) 754-7629

Last checked October 2, 2026.

Clark County

What the court requires
We found no mandatory parenting seminar in the Clark County Superior Court’s 2026 local rules or on its family-law pages.
If your order names a class
A judge or commissioner may still order a class in a particular case. If so, your order says what is required. Ask the Clerk’s Office if you are unsure: (564) 397-2292.
This course
Whether it fits depends on what your order says. Compare the order with the course overview, and ask your attorney or the court before you enroll.
A common mix-up
The Clark County District Court’s class list is for misdemeanor probation, not for family court.

Official page: Clark County Superior Court local rules (PDF) · Clerk family-law instructions

Local rules last checked October 2, 2026; family-law pages last checked October 1, 2026.

If there is domestic violence or abuse

Washington law sets three protections for any county rule that requires a parenting seminar.

  • You will not attend with the other parent. The rule cannot require opposing parties to attend together.
  • Waiver or a separate seminar. Where domestic violence or abuse is shown, or attending would not be in the children’s best interests, the court must either waive the seminar or provide an alternative, voluntary seminar.
  • Good cause. The court may also waive the seminar for good cause.

Tell your attorney or the court if this applies to you.

Official page: RCW 26.12.172

What to do next

  1. Read your order. Look for the name or subject of the class, any required hours, a named provider, whether online or live attendance is required, and the deadline.
  2. If it names your county’s seminar, take it from a provider on your court’s list.
  3. If it orders additional parenting or high-conflict education, compare it with the course overview.
  4. If you are unsure, ask your attorney or the court before you enroll.

If a court or attorney needs to check a certificate, they can use the certificate lookup.

About the High-Conflict Co-Parenting Course

Twelve self-paced modules for parents in contested or high-conflict custody matters. They cover keeping children out of adult conflict, brief and businesslike communication with the other parent, and supporting the child’s relationship with both parents. The course ends with a certificate that can be verified online. Your court decides what qualifies.

Review the courseDownload the course overview

This page summarizes what each court publishes. It is not legal advice. Court rules and provider lists change, and the court’s own page is the authority.