IEP evaluation timelines in all 50 states
Quick answer. Under federal law (IDEA), a school must finish a child's initial special education evaluation within 60 days of getting the parent's written consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. California, Texas and New York are verified below from official sources. Other states are clearly marked as not yet verified.
Updated
We only list a state's own rule after checking it in an official source. Where we haven't, we show the federal rule and say so. We never guess.
| State | Timeline | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| Alaska | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| Arizona | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| Arkansas | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| California | The school must send a proposed assessment plan within 15 calendar days of a referral, and the IEP meeting is due within 60 days of the parent's written consent. | Verified | California Education Code §56043 |
| Colorado | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| Connecticut | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| Delaware | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| District of Columbia | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| Florida | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| Georgia | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| Hawaii | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| Idaho | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| Illinois | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| Indiana | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| Iowa | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| Kansas | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| Kentucky | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| Louisiana | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| Maine | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| Maryland | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| Massachusetts | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| Michigan | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| Minnesota | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| Mississippi | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| Missouri | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| Montana | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| Nebraska | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| Nevada | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| New Hampshire | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| New Jersey | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| New Mexico | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| New York | The initial evaluation must be completed within 60 days of receiving parental consent, with exceptions listed in the regulation. | Verified | NYSED: 8 NYCRR §200.4 |
| North Carolina | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| North Dakota | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| Ohio | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| Oklahoma | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| Oregon | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| Pennsylvania | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| Rhode Island | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| South Carolina | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| South Dakota | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| Tennessee | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| Texas | The evaluation report is due within 45 school days of the parent's written consent, and the ARD committee decides eligibility within 30 calendar days of the report. | Verified | TEA SPED Support: Evaluation |
| Utah | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| Vermont | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| Virginia | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| Washington | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| West Virginia | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| Wisconsin | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
| Wyoming | Federal default: 60 days from consent, unless the state sets its own timeframe. | State rule not yet verified | Parent Center Hub: Evaluating school-aged children |
Ask your district for the date in writing. Our free evaluation-request letter does this for you. General information for parents, not legal advice. Laws and timelines differ by state and change. Check your state's rules or ask your Parent Training and Information Center or an attorney.
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