Most states set the minimum GED age at 16, 17, or 18. Approximately 20 states allow 16-year-olds to test with parental consent and school withdrawal proof. A smaller group requires 18, while New York and Ohio set their standard bar at 19.
How GED Age Rules Work Across the United States
The GED Testing Service sets a nationwide minimum of 16 years old, but every state controls its own floor and can raise that number. The GED (General Educational Development) test is a four-subject high school equivalency exam, and each state sets the minimum age candidates must reach before they can register.
Age is only part of the qualification. For candidates under 18, most states require a combination of school withdrawal proof, a signed parental consent form, and in some states a school official’s written approval. Meeting every applicable condition in your state is mandatory before a testing center will accept a registration.
Being currently enrolled in high school disqualifies a candidate in every state regardless of age. You must formally withdraw before registering, and nearly every state requires written documentation of that withdrawal.
State-by-State GED Minimum Age Table
The minimum age for the GED varies from 16 to 19 depending on the state. The table below covers all 50 states plus the District of Columbia. Requirements reflect information current as of early 2025. Because state policies change, always confirm current rules at ged.com or with your state GED office before registering.
| State | Minimum Age | Key Conditions for Under-18 Applicants |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16 | Parental consent; official school withdrawal required |
| Alaska | 16 | Parental consent; must not be enrolled in school |
| Arizona | 16 | School withdrawal documentation; parental or guardian consent |
| Arkansas | 16 | Parental consent required if under 18 |
| California | 18 | Limited exception for 17-year-olds in approved programs |
| Colorado | 17 | Parental consent; must be withdrawn from school |
| Connecticut | 17 | School official sign-off required; proof of withdrawal |
| Delaware | 16 | Parental consent if under 18 |
| Florida | 18 | Exceptions at 16 and 17 via documented school approval |
| Georgia | 16 | Must be officially withdrawn from school |
| Hawaii | 17 | Parental consent; not enrolled in school |
| Idaho | 16 | Parental consent required if under 18 |
| Illinois | 17 | Must be out of school; parental consent required |
| Indiana | 18 | Exceptions for 16 and 17 with county superintendent approval |
| Iowa | 18 | Limited exceptions with school official approval |
| Kansas | 16 | Parental consent; must not be enrolled |
| Kentucky | 17 | Parental consent; school withdrawal required |
| Louisiana | 17 | Parental or guardian consent; not enrolled in school |
| Maine | 16 | Parental consent if under 18 |
| Maryland | 16 | Must not be enrolled; parental consent required if under 18 |
| Massachusetts | 18 | No standard exception for under-18 applicants |
| Michigan | 18 | Exceptions for 16 and 17 through school or court process |
| Minnesota | 17 | Parental consent; must be withdrawn from school |
| Mississippi | 17 | Parental consent required |
| Missouri | 17 | Parental consent; must be out of school |
| Montana | 18 | Exceptions available for 16 and 17 in specific programs |
| Nebraska | 18 | Limited exceptions with school district approval |
| Nevada | 16 | Parental consent; not enrolled in school |
| New Hampshire | 18 | No standard exception for younger applicants |
| New Jersey | 17 | Parental or guardian consent; withdrawn from school |
| New Mexico | 16 | Parental consent if under 18 |
| New York | 19 | 18 with school district superintendent approval; younger only in NYSED-certified programs |
| North Carolina | 18 | Exceptions at 16 and 17 with documented school approval |
| North Dakota | 18 | Exceptions possible through school district processes |
| Ohio | 19 | Exceptions for 16 to 18 via school, court, or qualifying program |
| Oklahoma | 18 | Exceptions for 16 and 17 through school official approval |
| Oregon | 16 | Parental consent; not currently enrolled |
| Pennsylvania | 18 | Exceptions for 16 and 17 through school officials |
| Rhode Island | 16 | Parental consent; must be withdrawn from school |
| South Carolina | 17 | Parental consent required |
| South Dakota | 16 | Parental consent; not enrolled |
| Tennessee | 18 | Exceptions for 16 and 17 through school districts |
| Texas | 18 | 17 allowed with parental consent and school withdrawal proof |
| Utah | 16 | Parental consent; must be unenrolled |
| Vermont | 16 | Parental consent if under 18 |
| Virginia | 18 | Exceptions for 16 and 17 with school approval |
| Washington | 16 | Parental consent; not enrolled in school |
| West Virginia | 17 | Parental consent; withdrawn from school |
| Wisconsin | 18 | Exceptions for 16 and 17 in limited circumstances |
| Wyoming | 16 | Parental consent; not enrolled in school |
| District of Columbia | 16 | Parental consent required if under 18 |
Where 16-Year-Olds Can Take the GED
Approximately 20 states permit 16-year-olds to sit for the GED with proper documentation. These states include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wyoming, and the District of Columbia.
Every state in this group requires proof that the candidate is no longer enrolled in any public, private, or charter high school. Acceptable withdrawal proof typically includes a signed letter from a school official, an official transcript noting the withdrawal date, or a formal withdrawal form from the school district.
Parental or guardian consent is mandatory for 16-year-olds in every state that allows them to test. A signed consent form, available through ged.com or a state GED office, must accompany the registration. Some testing centers require a parent or guardian to appear in person when the minor registers.
Where the Minimum GED Age Is 17
Roughly 12 states set 17 as the standard minimum age. These include Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, South Carolina, and West Virginia.
Parental consent remains a near-universal requirement at 17 because these candidates are still legal minors under U.S. law. Nearly all states in this group require withdrawal documentation alongside the consent form.
Illinois and Connecticut additionally require a school official or superintendent to sign an approval letter before a 17-year-old can register. This step confirms that traditional schooling options have been considered and that the GED is the most appropriate path for that student.
Where the Minimum GED Age Is 18
Approximately 18 states set the minimum at 18, aligning the testing floor with the standard age of legal adulthood. These states include California, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
At 18, candidates are legal adults who can register without parental consent. No consent form, no school-official approval letter, and no mandatory waiting period beyond the state’s standard withdrawal policy apply.
Several of these states offer formal exception pathways allowing candidates as young as 16 or 17 to test before reaching 18. Florida, Indiana, Tennessee, and Texas are among the states with structured exemption processes, which typically require a school superintendent’s written recommendation, a juvenile court order, or enrollment in a certified GED preparation program.
States With the Highest Minimum GED Ages
New York and Ohio both set their standard minimum age at 19, the highest standard minimums in the country.
New York requires candidates to be at least 19 under standard rules. Candidates who are 18 may test with written approval from their local school district superintendent. Younger candidates may qualify only through programs certified by the New York State Education Department (NYSED), which is the New York state agency responsible for overseeing public education.
Ohio also sets its standard minimum at 19 but maintains a structured exception process. Students aged 16 to 18 can become eligible through formal approval from a local school district, a juvenile court order, or enrollment in a qualifying secondary education program through a community organization or correctional facility.
Required Documents for Under-18 Applicants
Under-18 applicants in nearly every state must satisfy at least two of the following conditions before a testing center will process a registration.
- School withdrawal documentation: A letter, transcript, or official form confirming the candidate is no longer enrolled in any public, private, or charter high school.
- Parental or guardian consent form: A signed form authorizing the minor to sit for the GED, available at ged.com and through state GED offices.
- School official or superintendent approval: A signed letter from a principal, superintendent, or school district officer stating the GED is appropriate for the candidate.
- Waiting period after withdrawal: Some states require candidates to be officially withdrawn for a specified number of days before a registration is accepted.
The exact combination of documents required depends on the state. Local testing centers may also apply additional site-level policies, so calling ahead before submitting any forms is a practical step.
Document Requirements by Applicant Age Group
The table below summarizes what most states require across the three most common applicant age groups. Confirm state-specific requirements with your state GED office before submitting documents.
| Applicant Age | Typical Documents Required |
|---|---|
| 16 to 17 | Government-issued ID or birth certificate; signed parental consent form; school withdrawal letter; school official approval in some states |
| 18 | Government-issued ID; school withdrawal letter if recently left school |
| 19 and older | Government-issued photo ID |
A government-issued ID for minors may include a passport or state-issued ID card. A school-issued student ID is not accepted as primary identification by most testing centers.
GED Age Rules for Homeschooled Students
Homeschooled students follow the same minimum age rules as any other applicant in their state. A homeschooled 16-year-old in a state that permits testing at 16 qualifies under the same standard as a traditionally schooled peer, provided the student is no longer receiving formal homeschool instruction and meets all documentation conditions.
Some states treat homeschool withdrawal differently from public school withdrawal. A letter from the homeschooling parent or from a homeschool umbrella organization (a private oversight body that administers and documents homeschool programs on behalf of families) satisfies the withdrawal requirement in those states. Confirming what your state accepts before submitting documents saves time at registration.
GED Age Rules for Incarcerated Individuals
Incarcerated individuals in most states can take the GED at 16 even when the standard community minimum age is higher. Many correctional facilities operate GED preparation and testing programs under state agreements that include modified age and consent requirements.
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Parental consent requirements are often waived for minors housed in juvenile detention or correctional facilities, depending on the state. The education coordinator at the facility is the most reliable source for eligibility rules that apply inside that specific institution.
Is There a Maximum Age for the GED?
There is no maximum age to take the GED. Adults of any age, including candidates in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond, are fully eligible to register and test. The GED was specifically designed to serve adults who did not complete high school at the traditional age, and testing centers routinely work with candidates across a very wide age range.
The Four GED Subject Tests and Passing Scores
The GED consists of four subject tests, each scored on a scale of 100 to 200. A score of at least 145 is required to pass each individual subject. Candidates can prepare for and complete subjects one at a time, and scores on passed subjects are permanently saved in their account at ged.com.
| Subject Test | Core Content Areas |
|---|---|
| Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) | Reading comprehension, extended writing, grammar |
| Mathematical Reasoning | Arithmetic, algebra, data analysis, geometry basics |
| Science | Life science, physical science, earth and space science |
| Social Studies | U.S. history, civics, economics, geography |
A combined score of 580 or higher across all four subjects can qualify a candidate for the GED College Ready or GED College Ready Plus designations, which some colleges accept in place of placement testing.
How Much the GED Costs
The standard fee is approximately $36 per subject test, making the full four-subject total approximately $144. Fees vary by state because some states subsidize testing costs through adult education funding.
Several states offer free or reduced-cost testing for adults who meet income thresholds or who are enrolled in workforce development programs. Some testing centers also offer local fee waivers. Checking with your state GED office or a local testing center will confirm what fees and waivers apply in your area.
Retaking a failed subject test costs the same fee as the first attempt in most states. Some states offer discounted retake fees for income-qualifying candidates.
GED Score Validity and Retake Waiting Periods
GED scores do not expire, and there is no overall time limit for completing all four subjects. Once a subject test is passed, that score is permanently recorded in the candidate’s account.
If a subject test is failed, the following waiting periods apply before a retake is permitted.
| Attempt Number | Required Wait Before Next Attempt |
|---|---|
| First failed attempt | 24 hours |
| Second failed attempt | 60 days |
| Third and all subsequent failed attempts | 60 days per attempt |
Failing some subjects has no effect on scores already earned on passed subjects. Only the failed subjects need to be retaken.
What a GED Credential Is Accepted For
A GED is accepted by more than 98% of U.S. colleges and universities for admission, according to the GED Testing Service. Virtually all U.S. employers recognize the GED as equivalent to a high school diploma for hiring decisions.
Some roles in the military, licensed trades, or law enforcement specify a traditional high school diploma rather than an equivalency credential. Checking the requirements of any specific program or employer before relying solely on the GED is worthwhile if a particular career path is the goal.
Online GED Testing Age Requirements
Online GED testing carries identical age requirements to in-person testing. The GED is available through a remote-proctored online format in most states, where a proctor (a certified test supervisor who monitors the session through a webcam) observes each testing session to ensure exam integrity.
Technical requirements for online testing include a desktop or laptop computer with a functioning webcam and microphone, a stable internet connection, and a clean, private testing environment. Some states have not approved online testing, meaning candidates there must use a physical testing center. The ged.com website lists approved states and full technical specifications.
Steps to Register for the GED
- Create an account at ged.com, the official GED registration portal.
- Confirm your state’s minimum age and required documents using the state resource page on ged.com or by calling your state GED office.
- Gather required documents including your ID, parental consent form if applicable, and school withdrawal letter if applicable.
- Schedule your subject test at an approved testing center or select online proctored testing if your state permits it.
- Pay the test fee of approximately $36 per subject, or apply for a fee waiver if one is available in your state.
- Take the test on the scheduled date and bring all required identification.
- Receive your scores, which are typically available within a few hours to a few days after the test.
Options for Students Not Yet Old Enough to Test
Students who have not yet reached their state’s minimum age have practical options to prepare while they wait.
HiSET is a competing high school equivalency (HSE) test offered in several states as an alternative to the GED. Its minimum age requirements vary by state but are often similar to GED requirements in the same state, making it worth checking if HiSET is available where you live.
Adult basic education (ABE) programs are federally funded courses offered through community colleges, public libraries, and workforce centers that build foundational literacy and math skills. Many ABE programs accept students before they reach the GED testing minimum age.
GED Ready, the official GED practice test available at ged.com for approximately $6 per subject, gives an accurate preview of exam content and predicts pass likelihood. Using it during the pre-eligibility period means a candidate can enter their first official test fully prepared.
GED prep courses at community colleges and adult education centers are often free or low-cost and accept students who are not yet eligible to test. Starting a prep course early is one of the most reliable ways to pass on the first attempt as soon as eligibility is reached.
FAQs
What is the minimum age to take the GED in the United States?
The GED Testing Service sets a nationwide minimum of 16 years old, but each state can raise that floor. Most states require candidates to be 16, 17, or 18. New York and Ohio set their standard minimum at 19. The exact requirement depends entirely on the state where you register.
Can a 16-year-old take the GED?
Yes, approximately 20 states allow 16-year-olds to take the GED. States including Georgia, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, and Maryland permit testing at 16 with parental consent and proof of school withdrawal. States with a minimum age of 17, 18, or 19 do not allow 16-year-olds to test under standard rules, though some offer documented exception pathways.
Can a 17-year-old take the GED?
A 17-year-old can take the GED in any state with a minimum age of 16 or 17, which covers roughly 32 states. States with a minimum age of 18 or 19 may still allow 17-year-olds through an exception process that typically requires a school superintendent’s written approval or a juvenile court order.
What is the minimum GED age in Texas?
Texas sets the standard minimum age at 18. However, 17-year-olds may qualify with written parental consent and documentation confirming official school withdrawal. Candidates younger than 17 are not eligible under standard Texas GED rules.
What is the minimum GED age in California?
California’s standard minimum age for the GED is 18. A limited exception may allow 17-year-olds to test through certain approved programs. California also administers a separate credential called the California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE), which has its own distinct age and eligibility rules.
What is the minimum GED age in New York?
New York requires candidates to be at least 19 years old under standard rules. Candidates who are 18 may test with written approval from their local school district superintendent. Candidates younger than 18 may qualify only through programs certified by the New York State Education Department (NYSED).
What is the minimum GED age in Florida?
Florida’s standard minimum age is 18. Exceptions are available for candidates aged 16 and 17 who have a documented need and written approval from a school official. The exception process varies by county and requires supporting documentation beyond a standard application.
What is the minimum GED age in Ohio?
Ohio sets its standard minimum at 19. Students aged 16 to 18 can qualify through an exception process requiring approval from a local school district, a juvenile court order, or enrollment in a qualifying secondary education program. Ohio’s process is among the most structured in the country for under-age applicants.
Do I need parental consent to take the GED if I am under 18?
Yes, parental or guardian consent is required in virtually every state for applicants under 18. A signed consent form must be submitted with the registration application. Some testing centers also require the parent or guardian to appear in person at the time the minor registers.
Do I have to be out of high school to take the GED?
Yes, active enrollment in any public, private, or charter high school disqualifies a candidate in every state, regardless of age. You must formally withdraw and typically provide written documentation of that withdrawal before a testing center will process your registration.
What documents do I need if I am under 18?
Under-18 applicants typically need a government-issued ID or birth certificate, a signed parental consent form, and a school withdrawal letter confirming they are no longer enrolled in high school. Some states also require a signed letter from a school official or superintendent. Requirements vary by state, so confirming with your state GED office before submitting any documents is strongly recommended.
Can homeschooled students take the GED?
Yes, homeschooled students follow the same minimum age rules as any other applicant in their state. Instead of a public school withdrawal letter, a homeschooled candidate typically provides a letter from the homeschooling parent or from a homeschool umbrella organization confirming that formal instruction has ended. Some states have specific forms for homeschool withdrawal verification.
Is there a maximum age limit for the GED?
No, there is no maximum age to take the GED. Adults of any age are fully eligible to register and test. Testing centers regularly serve candidates in their 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond, and no upper age restriction exists anywhere in the United States.
How much does the GED cost?
The standard fee is approximately $36 per subject test, making the total for all four subjects approximately $144. Some states subsidize testing and reduce fees significantly, and free testing is available in certain states for income-qualifying candidates or those enrolled in workforce development programs. Checking with your state GED office gives you the most accurate fee information for your area.
Can I take the GED online?
Yes, the GED is available online through a remote-proctored format in most states, and age requirements are identical to in-person testing. Some states have not approved online testing, meaning those candidates must test at a physical location. Technical requirements and the list of approved states are available at ged.com.
What happens if I fail a GED subject test?
After a first failed attempt, you must wait 24 hours before retaking the subject. After a second failed attempt, the waiting period is 60 days. Third and subsequent failed attempts each carry a 60-day waiting period. Scores on subjects you have already passed are not affected by failing other subjects.
Is a GED accepted by colleges and employers?
More than 98% of U.S. colleges and universities accept the GED for admission, according to the GED Testing Service, and virtually all U.S. employers recognize it as equivalent to a high school diploma. Some roles in the military, licensed trades, or law enforcement may require a traditional diploma rather than an equivalency credential, so checking the requirements of any specific program before relying solely on the GED is worthwhile.
What is the difference between the GED and the HiSET?
The GED and HiSET are both high school equivalency tests that award the same type of credential when passed, but they are produced by different organizations and are available in different states. Some states offer only the GED, some offer only the HiSET, and some offer both. Age requirements and fees differ slightly between the two, and a candidate’s state determines which tests are available.