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.

Find your local adult education program.  You may be eligible for free test vouchers.

GED tests can be taken in either English, Spanish, or a combination. Tests may only be administered by authorized testing centers.

For additional information, please visit GED Information and High School Equivalency Frequently Asked Questions.

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

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.

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.

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.  

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 Assessment (TSIA) to include college readiness benchmarks on the state's approved high school equivalency tests.

For detailed information, please visit The Texas Success Initiative Assessment and Texas Administrative Code RULE §4.54 Exemptions, Exceptions, and Waivers

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 Authorizations:

Subsidy For High School Equivalency Examination for Certain Individuals

• Texas Education Code, Chapter 48.302

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

• Texas Administrative Code, Rule § 74.1027

Texas First Diploma

• Texas Administrative Code, Rule § 21.50

Conference Committee Report

• H.B. 1 General Appropriations Bill
   

Content Updated 2/14/2024