Regents-High School Equivalency Exam Pathway
Background Information
On April 25, 2018, the Board of Regents of the New York State Education Department adopted an additional pathway toward a New York State High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma by allowing eligible HSE test takers to use passing scores on certain Regents Examinations in place of corresponding HSE exam subject tests. New York State high schools may submit transcripts for students with previously earned Regent’s credit, through the Application R process, under provision 8 N.Y.C.R.R. §100.7 adopted by the Board of Regents on April 25, 2018.
All applicants must take and pass at least one GED subject test to earn a NYS HSE diploma. One subject test must be taken and passed even if the applicant had Regents credit in all required subject areas. Applicants who receive Regents credit in all four subtest areas may select any single subject test to take.
Instructions for Applicant:
- Fill out Section A of the Application R, available here: Application R (Application R - Fill In)
- Include a GED ID on the application (first create an account on GED.com)
- Section B should be completed by an HSE preparation program, if applicable.
- Email or mail the Application R to the high school you most recently attended in New York State*. You are encouraged to contact the high school to confirm the preferred method of delivery and point of contact.
- The resulting transcript will be mailed to the applicant address approximately 8-10 weeks from receipt. Results can also be confirmed through a candidate my.ny.gov HSE account or the HSE status report.
Additional Information:
- Regents-HSE Exam Pathway: Frequently Asked Questions
- HSE Call Center/Inquiries (Contact Us)
- Eligibility and Application Process Overview (Applicants/Districts)
Instructions for high school staff member completing the Application R:
- Complete Section C (page 1 and 2), indicate whether Regents exams in any of the four-core subject areas have been awarded, by marking the appropriate box(es).
- Include an official transcript. The student's transcript must confirm the credits attested to on the Application R, including all grades required for waiver and appeal credits.
- A school principal or superintendent must certify the information by providing their signature when an alternative school staff member completes the form.
- Digital submission of the Application R is preferred by the HSE office. HS staff can email hserapp@nysed.gov to be provisioned to submit through the HSE office’s secure site. Please confirm your school and position when emailing.
- Alternatively, completed Application R’s can be mailed to our office along with an official transcript to the address provided on the top of the Application R.
- Do not email applications. Application Rs submitted as email attachments will not be opened.
- If no Regents credits are supported, please return the application to the applicant.
*If the high school attended has closed, please contact the school district’s central office. In New York City, contact the NYC Department of Education, or visit the NYC Department of Education website.
Information for School Districts, Charter, Religious and Independent High Schools
New York State High Schools will receive requests to complete the Application R from former and current students. Applications must be completed by high school staff and submitted to the HSE Office with supporting documentation and an accurate New York State Student Identification System (NYSSIS) ID.
All enrolled students within NYS are assigned a unique student identification number through NYSSIS. The NYSSIS ID is available in the school/district student management system. For more information on accessing the NYSSIS ID search please visit: NYSSIS Overview.
Additional Resources:
- Memo on Policy and Procedures for the New Pathway
- Memo on Clarification of Policy and Procedures for the New Pathway
- Board of Regents Item on Proposed Amendment of Section 100.7 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Relating to a New Pathway to a NYS HSE Diploma
Information regarding eligibility of appeal for a lower score on a Regents examination