USOE - GED - Eligibility

Examiner Resources - Policies and Procedures

Eligibility for GED Testing

Who Is Eligible to Take the GED Tests

1. Persons age 16 and older who are no longer attending a K-12 program of instruction are eligible to take the GED Tests in the state of Utah.
2. Residency is not a requirement for GED test-takers to take the GED Tests in the state of Utah.

Eligibility Specific Parameters

1. A marriage certificate replaces the parent/guardian signature allowing a school age youth age 16-18 to take the GED Tests. A copy of the marriage certificate must be attached to the GED Testing Application.
2. GED Testing Applications do not have an expiration date.
3. All GED Testing Applications, for persons who were in a Utah public school from 2005 forward, should contain the student’s Statewide Student Identification (SSID) number. This is particular true of youth between the ages of 16-18. However, if the test-taker does not have or know this number he/she is to be allowed to take the GED Tests.

Youth Eligibility Specifics

1. If the test-taker’s class has graduated the candidate must be at least 17-years of age.
2. If the test-taker’s class has NOT graduated:
- a. The candidate must be out of school and at least 16-years of age.
- b. To ensure that the candidate understands the implications/consequences of dropping out of school and taking the GED Tests the GED Testing Centers require the candidate to submit a completed “Adult Education Program and/or GED Testing Application for 16-18 Year-Old Non-Graduates." This application is obtained from Utah public high schools, charter schools or special purpose residential schools.
- c. Signing the application the GED testing candidate and parent/guardian acknowledge:
  - i. That counseling has been provided with the candidate explaining the major consequences of the candidate’s education choices;
  - ii. That the candidate is formally withdrawn from a program of K-12 instruction; and
  - iii. Parental/guardian permission has been given for the candidate to take the tests.
    Note: If the candidate is married he/she must present a marriage certificate in lieu of parent/guardian permission.
- d. A 16 year-old test-taker, before seeking admission to a GED Testing Center, must first access a Utah state-sponsored adult education program for verification of academic readiness necessary to take the GED Tests. Verification by an adult education program is not a guarantee that the candidate will pass the tests.
3. Utah home-schooled test-takers must complete the application listed in 2b unless they meet the criteria in 1. Forms can be obtained and signed by at the district or school the test-taker is formally withdrawn from. SSID numbers are to be included on the application if the home-schooled student was enrolled in a public education school at anytime 2005 forward.
4. Out-of-state test-takers may use the application listed in 2b or bring two letters to the GED Testing Center.
- a. Letter 1 (on letterhead) must state that the candidate is formally withdrawn from a K-12 program of instruction.
- b. Letter 2 is the completed “Adult Education Program and/or GED Testing Application for 16-18 Year-Old Non-Graduates” in lieu of a parental/guardian letter granting permission for the candidate to take the GED Tests.
  Note: A marriage certificate may be used in lieu of a parent/guardian letter.
5. Incarcerated test-takers do not need admission applications.
6. Residential treatment/special purpose schools (including Job Corps) test-takers are required to have parent/guardian signature granting permission to take the GED Tests. Permission must be obtained prior to GED Tests registration. Testing centers may accept a faxed copy of the GED Testing Application signed by the parent/guardian attached to an original application as proof of parental/guardian permission.
Note: Clearfield and Weber Basin Job Corps have permission to conduct the necessary pre-testing of 16 year old GED Tests test-takers using the Official Practice Test (OPT) to demonstrate GED Tests readiness. Job Corps staff signatures will appear in section 3 of the GED Testing Application rather than adult education program staff.
7. Test-takers, who took but did not complete the GED Tests prior to 2002, must take all five GED Tests of the current GED Tests series.