Certificate of High School Equivalency

The State Board of Education currently contracts with GED Testing Service to provide the GED test. Upon the successful completion of the four GED tests, the test taker will be issued a State of Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency.

GED Testing 

Register for a free account and schedule your tests at www.ged.com. 

Prepare for the exams by visiting GED Preparation Resources. 

Official GED Certificates, Transcripts, and Verifications (HiSET & TASC also)

Visit the to obtain a free verification letter or to purchase a PDF containing the Certificate of High School Equivalency with test scores for $5. The PDF will include a diploma-style certificate suitable for framing and a transcript with test dates and scores.

You can save the PDF to your computer or electronic device, email it to yourself or third parties, and/or print it. Purchases can be made by credit card or check (automated clearing house).

Colleges and employers should obtain verifications and certificates directly from the Texas Certificate/Transcript Search as TEA no longer sends certificates or verifications via mail, fax, or email.

• Official Policy Letter (PDF)

If the search returns "No Records Found," please create a Help Desk ticket to request a record search.

NOTE: If you graduated from high school, contact the school district from which you graduated to request your transcript.

Help Desk for Customer Service

TxCHSE officially moved to the Help Desk system for all customer service requests. This provides a secure method of communicating personal information and documentation to agency staff. The previously used email is no longer monitored.
Visit the

Current High School Equivalency Exams

NOTE: Educational Testing Service (ETS) notified TEA and the state board of education that they would not administer the HiSET test in Texas after 8/31/2021. The last day to take a HiSET test in Texas was 8/31/2021.

The State Board of Education (SBOE) currently contracts with GED Testing Service to provide the GED test. Upon the successful completion of the four GED tests, the test taker will be issued a State of Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency.

The test taker can choose to test in either English, Spanish, or a combination. Tests may only be administered by authorized testing centers.

For complete information, please visit Test Information - At a Glance and for more information: High School Equivalency Frequently Asked Questions.

Need help getting started? View the Steps to earn a Certificate of High School Equivalency.

TSI Exemption

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's Division for College Readiness and Success has expanded the exemptions used for the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) to include college readiness benchmarks on the state's approved high school equivalency tests. Beginning May 12, 2021, the following tests and benchmarks will qualify for an exemption:

GED: (Scores are valid for up to 5 years)

• A minimum score of 165 on the Mathematical Reasoning subject test shall be exempt for Mathematics
• A minimum score of 165 on the Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) subject test shall be exempt for English Language Arts Reading (ELAR)

HiSET: (Scores are valid for up to 5 years, but must be dated prior to 9/1/2021)

• A minimum score of 15 on the Mathematics subtest shall be exempt for mathematics
• A minimum score of 15 on the Reading subtest and a minimum score of 15 on the Writing subtest, including a minimum score of 4 on the essay, shall be exempt for English Language Arts Reading (ELAR)

Qualifying exams must be delivered in English.

Program Authorization: Texas Administrative Code

• RULE §4.54 Exemptions, Exceptions, and Waivers

Test-Taker Eligibility

To take the high school equivalency exams in Texas, an individual must:

• be a resident of Texas,
• have a government-issued photo ID, and
• be 18 years of age or older.

For more detailed information and exceptions, please visit our Eligibility Page.

Score Requirements

The minimum score requirements are determined by the test provider.

Scores are typically available the same day. Certificates are typically issued within three business days after the final test. TEA will email the initial certificate in a PDF file to the email address used to register for the exams.

Individuals cannot combine scores from a previous test series or different test series. Incomplete scores from tests taken prior to January 1, 2014 are no longer valid.

For more information on current and previous test scores, visit Test Score Requirements.

Preparation Information

Study material is available at most libraries and book stores. Most preparation books have practice tests that will help you determine when you are ready to test. Helpful information is also available on the GED Preparation Resources page.

To find a preparation program in your area, contact Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy & Learning (TCALL) at 800-441-READ (7323) or search online using the Adult Ed Program Search.  

Program Authorization

Texas Education Code

High School Equivalency Examinations

• Chapter 7.111  

Texas Administrative Code

TITLE 19 EDUCATION
PART 2 TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY
CHAPTER 89 ADAPTATIONS FOR SPECIAL POPULATIONS
SUBCHAPTER C TEXAS CERTIFICATE OF HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY

Rules

• §89.41 Policy
• §89.42 Official Testing Centers
• §89.43 Eligibility for a Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency
• §89.44 Identification
• §89.45 Retesting
• §89.46 Accommodations
• §89.47 Issuance of the Certificate

Related Program Authorization:

Texas Education Code

Subsidy For High School Equivalency Examination for Certain Individuals

• Chapter 48.302

Texas Administrative Code

Diplomas for Certain Individuals Who Entered Grade 9 Before 2011-2012 School Year

• Rule § 74.1027

Conference Committee Report

• H.B. 1 General Appropriations Bill
   

Content Updated 9/7/2023