Eligibility Requirements to Take the GED® Test

Individuals are eligible to take the New York State (NYS) High School Equivalency (HSE) Exam if they meet the following conditions:

  1. Test takers do not currently possess a high school or HSE diploma in the United States or its territories.*
  2. Test takers have resided in NYS for at least thirty days.
  3. Test Takers create a GED account - GED Homepage  and select NYS as their Jurisdiction.
  4. Test takers meet age eligibility criteria as delineated in the NYS Education Department’s Commissioner’s Regulations.
  5. Test takers access the required age eligibility form within the GED registration system if they are under age 19 (determined by birthdate entered when setting up GED account).
  6. Test takers who are under age 19, please follow the instructions on the age eligibility form for how to proceed with obtaining permission to take the GED.
  7. Test takers schedule GED subtests in the online GED scheduling system.

*Earning a NYS HSE diploma does not preclude an individual who meets NYS school district residency requirements and the state's age eligibility for a free public education from returning to high school to obtain a high school diploma.

Please visit the HSE homepage, under Announcements, for important information and updates on HSE testing.