Domestic violence classes by state · Washington
Court-Ordered Domestic Violence Classes in Washington
If a Washington court ordered you into a domestic violence class, it almost certainly means the state's certified program — State-certified Domestic Violence Intervention Treatment (DVIT) program — not a generic anger-management class. Here's what that program is, how long it runs, whether it can be done online, and how to find one your court will accept.
If you or someone else is in danger right now, call 911. To talk to someone about domestic violence — as a survivor or if you're worried about your own behavior — the National Domestic Violence Hotline is free, confidential, and available 24/7: call 1-800-799-7233, text START to 88788, or visit thehotline.org.
Quick answer: domestic violence classes in Washington
In-person required. Washington DVIT is delivered as consecutive, same-gender, weekly group sessions that must be face-to-face (WAC 388-60B-0345) — video conferencing is allowed only as a documented hardship or clinical exception. Its length depends on the participant's assessed treatment level. A generic or online anger-management class does not meet the DVIT standard. the Washington court that sentenced you or your community-corrections/probation officer decides what counts — confirm the specific certified program and format before you enroll or pay.
Anger management is not the same thing. Read anger management vs. batterer intervention to make sure you sign up for the right program the first time.
At a glance
| What courts order | State-certified Domestic Violence Intervention Treatment (DVIT) program |
|---|---|
| When it's required | A Washington court commonly orders a certified Domestic Violence Intervention Treatment (DVIT) program as a condition of a sentence or probation in a domestic-violence case. Any program that provides domestic violence treatment to perpetrators must be certified by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and meet the standards in WAC Chapter 388-60B. |
| Typical length | Set by the participant's assessed level (WAC 388-60B-0420): Level One a minimum of 6 months, Level Two 9 months, Level Three 12 months, and Level Four 18 months — all consecutive weekly same-gender sessions. |
| In person or online? | In-person required |
| Who certifies / approves it | The Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) certifies domestic violence intervention treatment programs and sets the standards under WAC Chapter 388-60B. DSHS publishes the statewide list of certified agencies. |
Washington-specific rules to know
- CRITICAL DISTINCTION: Washington domestic violence intervention treatment (DVIT) is a DSHS-certified program under WAC 388-60B — NOT a generic anger-management class. An anger-management certificate does not meet the DVIT standard for a domestic-violence case.
- Any program treating domestic violence perpetrators must be certified by DSHS; only certified DVIT agencies count. DSHS publishes the statewide certified-agency list (searchable by city, county, or name).
- Program length is level-based (WAC 388-60B-0420): a minimum of 6 months (Level One), 9 months (Level Two), 12 months (Level Three), or 18 months (Level Four), determined by an assessment — you do not pick your own level.
- Sessions are consecutive, same-gender, weekly, and face-to-face group (WAC 388-60B-0345); online/video attendance is only a documented hardship or clinical exception, not the norm.
- Confirm the specific certified DVIT provider, your assessed level, and format with the court that ordered you or your community-corrections officer before you enroll.
Find an accepted domestic violence program in Washington
A certified program is not the same as a class you find on your own, so the safest move is to confirm the specific provider with the Washington court that sentenced you or your community-corrections/probation officer before you pay:
Prefer to look on a map? Search Google Maps for certified domestic violence programs in Washington — then check any provider against your court's order, and confirm it is on the certified/approved list, before enrolling.
Source & accuracy: compiled from official Washington statutes and certifying-agency sources. Requirements change and vary by court and case — always confirm the certified program, format, length, and deadline with the court that ordered you before enrolling. Sources: dshs.wa.gov/esa/community-services-offices/domestic-violence-intervention-treatment, app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=388-60B, app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=388-60B-0420, app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=388-60B-0345.