A person who desires to be a candidate must complete and file a declaration of candidacy with the office of superintendent of public instruction as a condition to having his or her name placed on the official ballot.

The office of superintendent of public instruction will provide the declaration of candidacy form, which must include the candidate's name, residential address, mailing address (if different from residence), phone number, email address, exact name to be printed on ballot, the position the candidate is running for, and the candidate's signature and date signed. The form must also include the following declaration:

I declare that the above information is true, that I am a registered voter residing at the address listed above, that I reside in the region of Washington state as listed above, that I am a candidate for the office listed above, and that I am aware if elected, I cannot concurrently serve as a member of the state board of education and as an employee of any school, college, university, or other educational institution, or any educational service district superintendent's office, or in the office of the superintendent of public instruction, or as a member of the board of directors of either a common school district or a private school. I swear, or affirm, that I will support the Constitution and laws of the United States, and the Constitution and laws of the state of Washington.