Federal Bureau of Prisons
Top Policies
You must be 18 years old to test in a Federal Prison. You must also be incarcerated.
You are required to be 18 years old and incarcerated at a Federal Prison to take the GED® test.
Yes, the FBOP requires that you are incarcerated at a FBOP facility to take the test.
Adult education program requirements vary by institution. Please check with your individual facility.
Yes, before you take the official GED Test in any one subject area, you must obtain a score of 145 or higher on the GED Ready test in that subject. You do not have to pass all four GED Ready tests before taking any official GED Tests. You can progress one subject area at a time.
Price & Payment
The Federal Bureau of Prisons charges $20 per module for the GED® test.
As a student inmate, your corrections officer will work with you to schedule your tests. The government will pay for tests taken while at a Federal Corrections facility.
Test Retake Policies
For FBOP, there is no waiting period if you do not pass a subject area test the first time. After taking a test subject 3 times, you'll have to wait 60 days before retesting. There's no limit to how many times you can test in a year.
You will receive two discounted retakes for every GED® test subject you purchase but don’t pass. You have 365 days after your full price test to use these retakes. After receiving two retakes at the reduced price, the price of the test subject returns to the regular price. If you do not pass that subject again, you will receive two more retakes at the reduced rate. GED Testing Service waives its $20 testing fee, however additional testing fees may still apply in your state.
FBOP does not charge an additional fee for test retakes.
Transcripts & Diploma
The Federal Bureau of Prisons GED® Program has partnered with GED Testing Service for fulfillment of requests for GED® transcripts and diplomas.
After passing the GED® test, you will automatically receive one free electronic diploma, one free electronic transcript. You must take action to receive one free printed diploma.
Electronic Diploma and Transcript
The electronic diploma and transcript download links will be e-mailed to the e-mail address associated with your GED®account once you have passed all GED® test subjects and earned your diploma.
- Links are only available for a limited time, so be sure to download your electronic documents right away.
- Follow the instructions provided in the e-mail. These PDF documents are very valuable since they can be forwarded to employers and colleges that accept electronic credentials.
- The PDF documents are verified by GED Testing Service/Parchment each time they are opened using Blue Ribbon Security. The blue ribbon symbol displayed in the PDF is assurance that the digital credential is valid, the document is authentic, and the contents of the credential have not been altered.
Printed Diploma
The printed diploma can be ordered in your GED® account at GED.com. After logging in, go to My Scores and select Order Duplicates. Select Diploma option and then select the Printed Diploma – Free option.
- You will then be asked who and what address you want the diploma to be mailed to.
- The free diploma link will only be available until it has been used and can only be used one time.
- Carefully follow the instructions presented during the ordering process.
You can request your transcript and diploma here.
The FBOP credential title is per awarding state or territorial jurisdiction. The FBOP credential is issued through Washington D.C.
Other
Yes, in the FBOP you can take all test subjects in the same day if you can find a test center with hours that accommodate it.
Yes, in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, you can take the GED® Test in English or Spanish and you can combine the two languages to earn your credential.
You may continue your testing in a new state and at your new facility regardless of the state where you are moved.
Miranda Yeager myeager@bop.gov
GED Administrator
Federal Bureau of Prisons
320 First Street, NW
Washington, DC 20534
(202) 305-3800