Each of the nine ESDs (Educational Service Districts) in Washington State hold regional Knowledge Bowl competitions.
The regional competitions that determine which teams will advance to the state-level tournament typically take place in February or early March.
The number of teams each ESD region is allotted for the state tournament varies each year with the number of schools that compete at each division (based on Washington Interscholastic Activities Association classification) in each ESD region.
The format for the state tournament begins with a written round of 50 multiple-choice questions with a 35-minute time limit.
Team member substitutions are allowed at the half-way point (after question 25) of each oral round.