High School Equivalency (HSE) GED^®

Utah Adult Education programs increase personal and professional success options by providing test preparation instruction in the four content areas of the GED^® Test, which include:

• Reasoning through Language Arts
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Science
• Social Studies

Eligibility 

Anyone who is 18 years of age or older whose high school class has graduated is eligible to take the GED^® Test. Residency is not a requirement for a GED^® test-taker to take the GED^® Test. Anyone ages 16-18 whose class has not graduated is eligible to take the GED^® Test with the following requirements:

16-18 Year-Old Applicants:

• Must contact the school or district last attended to obtain and complete the HSE Candidate and Adult Education Eligibility Form.
• Must submit a copy of the form to the adult education program to release registration record. The GED^® Testing registration process cannot be continued until this step is completed.

16 year-old applicants also:

• Must access a Utah state-sponsored adult education program for verification of academic readiness necessary to take the GED^® Tests.

School districts do not have the authority to delay or deny access to the GED^® Test if the test-taker meets the eligibility requirements.

School-age GED^® Test-takers who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) are eligible for Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) regardless of successfully obtaining a GED^® and the resulting Utah High School Completion Diploma.

School-age GED^® Test-takers whose class has not graduated who do not pass all four of the GED^® Test modules may return to a K-12 program of instruction and will be required to complete all necessary graduation requirements for a traditional K-12 diploma.

Out-of-State test-takers age 16-18 years of age may use the HSE Candidate and Adult Education Eligibility Form and a current government issued photo ID or bring the following two letters to a Utah Adult Education program for registration release:

• Letter 1 (on letterhead) from last school attended or school district stating that the candidate is formally withdrawn from a K-12 program of instruction.
• Letter 2 from parent/guardian granting permission for the candidate to take the GED^® Tests.
  Note: A marriage certificate may be used in lieu of a parent/guardian letter.

Test-takers residing at residential treatment/special purpose schools, including Job Corps, are required to have parent/guardian signature granting permission to take the GED® Test. Permission must be obtained prior to the GED^® Test registration. Testing centers may accept a faxed copy of the HSE Candidate and Adult Education Eligibility Form signed by the parent/guardian attached to an original application as proof of parental/guardian permission.

Branches of the military may or may not accept GED® credentials for enlistment. GED^® Test-takers are strongly advised to contact the military recruiters to see what the current policies are prior to taking the GED® Test.

Online Proctored GED^® Tests

GED^® test takers can now take the test online if they have achieved a green score on a GED Ready^® test within 60 days. If attempting to take the online proctored GED^® test, test takers should have access to a private room, stable internet access, and a computer with a camera and a microphone. Online proctored GED^® test takers below the age of 18 will need to have a parent or guardian with them during the sign in process to authorize the test. Additional information can be found at Take the Online GED Test.

Retakes

If you are testing in a testing center, you may retake each GED^® subject test two subsequent times, with no restrictions between retakes. These attempts are also discounted. However, if you fail the third time or on any subsequent retest, you must wait 60 days and pay full price. If you are taking an online proctored GED^® test, you may retake each subject test one time with no restrictions between retakes. If you fail the second time or on any subsequent retest, you must wait 60 days. Online proctored GED^® tests are not discounted.

Original Credentials

An official score report and Utah High School Completion Diploma are issued to all Utah test-takers who pass all four GED^® test modules.

Once you pass the GED^®, you will receive an email with a copy of your e-diploma and e-transcript. These are your official diploma and transcript.  You should download and save these documents for your records.

Duplicate High School Completion Diplomas, Test Transcripts, and Scores

If you earned your GED^® in 2014 or later, you can log in to your GED Account to order additional copies of your transcript. If you earned your GED^® before 2014, select the state in which you took your GED^® in the drop-down menu and click Request Transcripts to be taken to the corresponding page to order additional transcripts. Most transcript orders take approximately 1-2 days but may take up to 2 weeks to process and mail out. Please allow sufficient time for processing and shipping. Prior to placing an order, you should confirm that you have the correct recipient/administrator and school address if you are sending the transcript directly to a school.

Request Your Transcript
GED^® Testing Service

To order duplicate diplomas, certificates and/or transcript/score reports.

For additional support, go to GED® Test Takers Parchment Support.

Exchanges

Persons passing the GED^® Test between January 1, 2002 and June 30, 2009, may exchange the GED^® Certificate for a Utah High School Completion Diploma by completing this form.

GED^® Third-Party Verification

Parchment Exchange

To request a GED^® Transcript/Score Report of an individual on behalf of an employer or college. For additional support when verifying a GED as a third party go to GED® Third Party Parchment Support.

If you work for a prison or corrections institution and are requesting for an inmate, please email requests (including a request form and educational information release form) to gedrequests@schools.utah.gov. If your agency does not have its own request form, please email gedrequests@schools.utah.gov to request a copy of our Corrections Request Form.

Authentication of GED^® Test Documents/Apostille Certification

Authentications
The Office of the Utah Lieutenant Governor

Foreign countries may require some documents to be authenticated prior to processing. In this case the test-taker must contact and work through the Utah Lieutenant Governor's Office, Notary Division. 

Test Preparation

GED^® preparation materials may be obtained from libraries, book stores, online, the Utah State LearningExpress Library, and Adult Education programs located throughout the state of Utah.

Directors/Coordinators

Policies and Procedures

Grant Management

• Utah Grants is the comprehensive solution for grant life-cycle management, including grant applications, budgeting, awards, revisions, reimbursement requests, progress reports and monitoring.

To obtain a State Supplemental Application, contact Kellie Brimhall at (801) 538-7509.

Reports

*Only programs receiving Federal AEFLA funds are required to submit these reports

An annual report to the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) reflecting the monies collected and reported to the district/community-based organizations’ business administrator as well as an annual expenditure plan describing how collected fees will meet the needs of the adult learner.
Due Annually: September 15

Educator Resources

Finding the Right Starting Point: Obtaining, Interpreting, and Evaluating International Transcripts
National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance (NCEE)

National Reporting System (NRS) Technical Assistance (TA) Guide

Utah's Online Performance Information for Adult Education (UTopia) Adult Education Management System

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) State Plan for the State of Utah
United States Department of Education

Community and Services

2-1-1 Utah: United Way is a program of Community Services Council, that is a free information and referral line for health, human and community services. It provides information and referrals on topics such as emergency food pantries, rental assistance, public health clinics, child care resources, support groups, legal aid, and a variety of non-profit and governmental agencies.

Department of Workforce Services (DWS) is Utah's Job Connection. It is a consolidation of all employment related functions into a comprehensive service delivery system allowing Job seekers and employers to access the services they need without the confusion and burden of working with multiple agencies.

• Department of Workforce Services Office Search
• Workforce Services Rehabilitation

UtahFutures is a web-based career information system that helps students learn more about how his or her personal characteristics can be used in a variety of occupations. The UtahFutures OnRamp is a companion site with additional training and resources for educators.

Professional Development

Literacy Information and Communication System (LINCS) provides free access to communities of practice, self-paced online courses, and searchable resources for adult educators.

Utah Education Network (UEN) Professional Development offers free in-person and online workshops that cover a wide variety of technology and curriculum topics, ranging from basics like how to create presentations and use the internet effectively to sophisticated online authoring with graphic animation.

Utah State Board of Education Massively Integrated Data Analytics System (MIDAS) Education was built by the Utah State Board of Education with the single goal of helping Local Education Agencies (LEAs) provide a simpler, more cost effective way to collect and track professional learning activities for educators.

Professional Organizations

Adult Education Association of Utah (AEAUT)
The mission of the AEAUT, as the primary advocate for lifelong learning opportunities in Utah, is to meet the diverse needs of all Utahns by providing and supporting quality educational opportunities.

Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE)
The Coalition on Adult Basic Education represents the system of 55,000 adult educators in the United States. Membership includes access to professional development webinars, discounted registration for their annual virtual and national conferences, access to a downloadable research journal, and the opportunity to participate in legislative advocacy initiatives, such as the award winning Educate and Elevate national public awareness campaign.

Mountain Plains Adult Education Association (MPAEA)
The mission of the Mountain Plains Adult Education Association is to support and promote lifelong learning in the Mountain Plains Region (Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Utah, Wyoming, and beyond). In order to achieve its mission, the association promotes and provides professional development opportunities for adult educators, publishes and distributes relevant information about lifelong learning, and supports and strengthens member associations within the states of the region.

Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA)/Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Competition

There are three types of federal AEFLA funds available:

• Adult Basic Education (ABE): Used to fund local programs of adult education literacy services, including workplace literacy services; family literacy services; and English literacy programs.
• Prisons and Institutions (PI): Used for the cost of educational programs for criminal offenders in correctional institutions and for other institutionalized individuals. Priority for program services should be given to individuals likely to leave the correctional institution within five years of participation.
• Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE): Services must include instruction in literacy and English language acquisition and instruction on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and civic participation. Services must be delivered in combination with integrated education and training activities and prepare English learners for unsubsidized employment in in-demand industries and occupations.

Coming in Spring 2026

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Utah's Plan
Department of Workforce Services

Frequently Asked Questions

References

Registration

Eligibility

How old do I have to be to enroll in Adult Education?
Anyone over the age of 16 is welcome in adult education.

Proof of Residency

Do I have to live in Utah?
Yes, but we can make exceptions for individuals who live in communities near the Utah border.

Social Security Number (SSN)/Data Match

Do I have to give my SSN? How is my SSN used? Why do you want my SSN?
Our biggest goal is to help students be successful beyond their time in adult education! We work with the Department of Workforce Services (DWS) and the higher education system to do a data match to see what percentage of students go on to college or better jobs after graduation.

Locations

Where can I take a class?
Adult Education classes are offered throughout the state (Refer to Directory of Utah Adult Education Programs 2021-2022).

Where can I take the GED test?
GED Testing sites are located all over Utah (Refer to Where to Take the GED^® Test in Utah).

Fees

How much do classes cost? Is it free? How much is the tuition?
Fees and tuition vary by program. The most you will ever be charged is $100 per year. If you have a concern about the cost of the program, you can request a fee waiver.

Tests of Adult Basic Education(TABE)/Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System(CASAS)/Basic English Skills Test (BEST) Testing

Why do I have to take a test?
Students in adult education often have gaps in their learning. Doing testing at the beginning of the program helps us understand your needs and design the best plan for you. We also test periodically throughout your enrollment to measure your progress and make sure the plan is effective.

What am I going to be tested on?
Students working toward a high school diploma or GED^® will be assessed in Mathematics and Language Arts. Students in English Language classes will be tested on their skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in English.

How Long Will it Take

Is there a set schedule? Are there evening classes? Do I have to come at the same time every day?
The hours vary but site, but all programs have flexible scheduling options designed for busy adults. Please reach out to the site nearest you for more information about their hours (Refer to Directory of Utah Adult Education Programs 2021-2022).

How soon could I graduate?
Everyone’s needs are different. Our goal is to provide an individualized plan to help you reach your goals. Please reach out to a program in your area for an appointment with a counselor who can review your transcripts and help you develop a graduation plan (Refer to Directory of Utah Adult Education Programs 2021-2022).

How long are the classes?
This can vary by program site. Please reach out to a program in your area for an appointment with a counselor who can review your transcripts and help you develop a graduation plan (Refer to Directory of Utah Adult Education Programs 2021-2022).

Can I take classes from home/online? Can I do packets?
We do our best to offer a variety of options, including some independent study options. You would need to participate in an orientation on-site while we get to know you, including your needs and goals, and set up a learning plan for you before starting distance learning.

GED^®

Transcripts

How do I get my GED^® transcript?
Transcripts can be obtained by going to the GED^® Testing Service website (Refer to Grads and Transcripts Request Transcripts). Most transcript orders take approximately 1-2 days but may take up to 2 weeks to process and mail out. Please allow sufficient time for processing and shipping. Prior to placing an order, you should confirm that you have the correct recipient/administrator and school address if you are sending the transcript directly to a school.

How do I verify a GED^® for an employee?
GED^® verifications can be obtained for an employee on the GED^® Testing Service website (Refer to Grads and Transcripts Request Transcripts) and selecting the Third Parties option.

GED^® Verification?
GED^® verifications can be obtained by going to the GED Testing Service website (Refer to Grads and Transcripts Request Transcripts).

How long is the GED^® test?
There are four subject tests on the GED^®. The total time to take all four tests is 7 hours and 5 minutes. It is possible to take all of the tests in one day, but most students don’t. Usually students break the tests up into one or two tests at a time. (Mathematical Reasoning test takes 115 minutes, Reasoning Through Language Arts test takes 150 minutes, Social Studies test takes 90 minutes, and Science test takes 90 minutes). 

Do I have to take the GED^® Ready (a practice test) before I can test for real?
If you take the GED^® test in-person at a testing site, you do not need to take the GED^® Ready. If you are planning to take the GED^® online, you will be required to take and pass the GED^® Ready test first.

16-18 Year-old Registration Process and Jurisdiction Flags

My son/daughter wants to take the GED^®?
First your student will need to create a GED^® account and obtain a government issued photo identification. If your student is 18 years of age or younger and their class has not graduated from high school, they will also need to complete the High School Equivalency (HSE) Candidate and Adult Education Eligibility form. This form can be obtained from the school counselor at the high school your student would be attending. The completed form then needs to be submitted to the nearest program (Refer to Directory of Utah Adult Education Programs 2021-2022). If they need help preparing for the GED^®, they can also sign up for GED^® preparation courses at the same time. Students 16-year-older also need to show academic readiness to take the GED^®. This is often done through passing a GED^® Ready test and submitting the passing scores to the nearest adult education program. Once your student submits the completed form to the nearest adult education program, they will be able to schedule their test.

I’m getting a flag/error/alert when I try to schedule my GED^®?
If you are 18 years of age or younger and your class has not graduated from high school you will need to complete an HSE Candidate and Adult Education Eligibility form. The form can be obtained from the school counselor at the high school you would be attending. The completed form should be submitted to the nearest program (Refer to Directory of Utah Adult Education Programs 2021-2022). If you are 16 years of age, you will also need to submit proof of academic readiness to take the GED^®. This is often a copy of passing GED^® Ready scores. If you are 18 years of age or older and your class has graduated from high school, you can contact the Utah State Board of Education at (801) 538-7509 to clear the flag/error/alert.

Can I take the GED^® if I’m still in high school?
Students cannot be currently enrolled in a K-12 school when they take the GED^®.

How old do you have to be to take the GED^®?
Students must be at least 16 years of age to take the GED^®.

I’m 16 and want to take the GED^®. What do I have to do?
First, create a GED^® account. Then, you must withdraw from high school and complete the HSE Candidate and Adult Education Eligibility form, which can be obtained through your high school counselor. You must also show academic readiness to take the GED^®. Passing scores on the GED^® Ready can be used to show academic readiness. The completed form will need to be submitted to the nearest program (Refer to Directory of Utah Adult Education Programs 2021-2022). Once the form is submitted you can schedule your GED^® test.

I’m 17 and want to take the GED^®. What do I have to do?
First, create a GED^® account. Then, you must withdraw from high school and complete the HSE Candidate and Adult Education Eligibility form, which can be obtained through your high school counselor. The completed form will need to be submitted to the nearest program (Refer to Directory of Utah Adult Education Programs 2021-2022). Once the form is submitted you can schedule your GED^® test.

My class hasn’t graduated yet. What do I need to do to take the GED^®?
First, create a GED^® account. Then, you must withdraw from high school and complete the HSE Candidate and Adult Education Eligibility form, which can be obtained through your high school counselor. The completed form will need to be submitted to the nearest program (Refer to Directory of Utah Adult Education Programs 2021-2022). Once the form is submitted you can schedule your GED^® test.

GED^® Versus Diploma Questions

What’s the difference between a GED^® and a high school diploma?
Completing the GED^® in Utah results in receiving a Utah HSC diploma, which is considered a high school equivalency diploma. You can use it to apply to college or for a job resume, similar to a high school diploma.

If I get my GED^®, can I go back to walk with my class?
If you complete your GED^®, your high school will decide if you can walk with your class at graduation.

Can I get into college with a GED^®?
More than 98% of schools in the United States accept the GED^®. If you are planning on attending college you should aim for a score of 165, which is considered college ready.

Can I go into the military with a GED^®?
Oftentimes students can still enter the military when they earn a GED^®, but talk to a recruiter to find out the current requirements of the branch of military you want to enlist in.

Do I get a diploma when I pass the GED^®?
You will receive a Utah HSC diploma when you pass the GED^®.

How many retakes do you get?
It depends on which form of the test you take. For in-person testing at a testing center, you can take the test three times with no restrictions between retakes. For online testing, you can take the test only two times with no restrictions between retakes. After that you must wait 60 days between each attempt.

I took my GED^® prior to 2014. Do I have to start over?
Results from prior versions of the GED^® test do not carry over to the 2014 version. This means you will need to pass all four subject tests of the 2014 version in order to complete the GED^®.

Do GED^® tests expire?
There is currently no expiration date for scores from the 2014 version of the GED^® test.

High School Diplomas

Graduation Requirements

How many credits do you need to graduate in adult education?
You need a minimum of 24 credits as established by the Utah State Board of Education (Refer to Graduation Requirements).

Can you use my old/previous credits?
Yes, however depending on how long ago you attended high school, some credit requirements may have changed. Contact an adult education program near you to set up a meeting with a counselor.

Can I get credit for work experience?
Yes! You can earn up to 4 credits in your elective or Career and Technical Education (CTE) credit requirements. You’ll earn 1 credit for every 180 hours of continuous, professional employment.

Can I use college military experience toward my diploma?
Yes! You can earn a maximum 1.50 credit towards Individualized Fitness for Life or Elective credit from basic training or 1 credit for each 180 hours of other verified military training.

Can I use college credit experience toward my diploma?
Yes! You can earn 1 credit for each 5 quarter-hours or 1 for each 3 semester hours in the appropriate subject area of analysis.

I have credits. How much more do I need to graduate?
You need a minimum of 24 required core credits as established by the Utah State Board of Education (Refer to Graduation Requirements) or text Programs Near Me to find an adult education program where you can set up a one on one transcript analysis.

Transcripts

Do I need to bring my transcript?
Most adult education programs can request your transcript for you, however it does make your intake process go quicker if you can bring in an official copy of your transcript.

How do I get a copy of my transcript/diploma?
Contact your last attended school and ask for an official transcript. Some schools may have you go through Parchment and may require a small fee for your transcript.

Can you use credits from my country?
If you have a translated transcript of your home country school records, some credits may be applied towards your United States diploma. Type Programs Near Me” to find an adult education program where you can set up a one of on transcript analysis.

Foreign Diplomas

Can you verify/authenticate my foreign diploma?
No, adult education cannot verify/authenticate your foreign credentials. You would need to go through the United States Apostille Service.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Classes

Will these classes work for my visa? Am I enrolled in school for my F-1?
No, adult education programs cannot be your sponsoring school for Visas, however you may attend adult education courses for extra help if you wish to do so.

Can I get a letter showing I’m enrolled in classes (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)/Parolees)?
Yes, adult education programs can provide you with letters and/or reports of enrollment and attendance. However, proof of attendance will need to be verified within the program.