North Carolina

Top Policies
Top Policies

Top Policies

You must be 18 years old to test in North Carolina; however, a waiver to test at 16 or 17 may be granted if the student meets the following requirements.

If you are 16 or 17 years old, North Carolina requires approval for an exception. Contact your local North Carolina Basic Skills Education program for the appropriate form(s). 

 

For those testing on the Online Exam:

  • Minimum age for testing Online in North Carolina is 18. 
  • A parent or guardian must be present at the pre-test check-in to give consent and authorize the underage tester to be recorded during testing. If the parent or guardian is not present, the exam session will be revoked.

No, in North Carolina you’re not required to be a resident, but you must take and pass the last test in your battery in North Carolina to be awarded a diploma from North Carolina.

Some states allow people who don’t live there to take the GED® test and others don’t. You’ll need to check the residency requirement for the state that you’re interested to test in.

No, North Carolina doesn’t require you to prepare for the GED® test in an adult education classroom.

For those testing in-person at a Testing Center: 

  • No, you’re not required to take the GED Ready® practice test before taking the official GED® test. 

For those testing on the Online Exam: 

  • Yes, you are required to take the GED Ready® practice test before taking the official GED® test online. 

Price & Payment

What is my cost if I test at a Test Center?

  • North Carolina charges $20 per module for the GED® test.

What is my cost if I test Online?

  • North Carolina charges $36 per subject for the GED® test taken online (As of 9/1/21) 

You will pay for the test online with a debit or credit card when you schedule your test.

Test Retake Policies

For those testing in-person at a Testing Center:  

  • In North Carolina, there is no waiting period for your first two retakes. After taking a test subject 3 times, you'll have to wait 60 days each time before retesting. There's no limit to how many times you can test in a year.

For those testing on the Online Exam: 

  • The Online Proctored Exam allows for one retake before a 60 day waiting period. After taking a test subject two times online, you’ll have to wait 60 days before retesting.  

For those testing in-person at a Testing Center: 

  • 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. 
  • North Carolina does not charge for retakes.  

For those testing on the Online Exam: (As of 9/1/21)   

  • The Online Proctored Exam costs $36 for a retake in North Carolina. Discounted retakes are not offered on the Online Proctored Exam. 

Transcripts & Diploma

North Carolina has partnered with DiplomaSender.com  for fulfillment of requests for GED® transcripts and diplomas.

After passing the GED® test, you need to register with DiplomaSender.com to create a tester account and request your free North Carolina credentials: one official transcript and one diploma.

You must take action to receive your NC credentials.

You can request your transcript and diploma here.

In North Carolina, the credential is called the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges High School Equivalency Diploma.

Other Policies

For those testing in-person at a Testing Center:

  • Yes, in North Carolina you can take all test subjects on the same day if you can find a testing center with hours that accommodate it. 

For those testing on the Online Exam:

  • No, you must schedule your test appointments separately, one at a time. After you complete one online exam you may schedule another, based on appointment availability.

Yes, in North Carolina you can take the test in English or Spanish, however, you cannot combine two different languages to earn your credential.

It depends on whether or not that state has a residency requirement. Check the residency requirements in that state and don’t hesitate to contact the GED Administrator™ in that state with questions.

Jenifer Bean
Director of CCR Assessment and the High School Equivalency Office
North Carolina Community College System Office
200 W. Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 807-7214