South Carolina

You must be 19 years old to test in South Carolina.

For those testing in-person at a Testing Center: 

In South Carolina, you can be 16*, 17 or 18 and take the GED^® test if you have a South Carolina Verification of School Withdrawal form completed by the principal or attendance supervisor of the last school you attended.

• If you are 16 years old, you must be under the jurisdiction of DJJ or court order letter must be sent into the state GED^® office in Columbia.

For those testing on the Online Exam: 

• Your parent/guardian must be present at the pre-test check in to give consent and authorize underage tester to be recorded during testing. If parent/guardian is not present the exam session will be revoked. 

Yes, you must provide proof of SC residency as well as valid/current identification. This can be accomplished by using one of the following methods.

• Present a valid/current SC driver’s license or a valid/current SC identification card (issued by the SCDMV).  This one piece of identification satisfies both identification and residency proof requirements.
  
• Present one approved form of proof of residency AND one approved form of identification.
  
  • The approved forms of proof of residency are:
    
    • Utility bill (electric, gas, water, sewer)
      
    • Utility bill in another person’s name, with dated affidavit from that person stating the candidate lives at that address.
      
    • Property tax bill (for home or land, copy)
      
    • Property Tax bill in another person’s name, with dated affidavit from that person stating the candidate lives at that address.
      
    • Lease (copy)
      
    • Lease in another person’s name, with dated affidavit from that person stating the candidate lives at that address.
      
  • The approved forms of identification are:
    
    • Out of State License/ID*
      
    • Military ID
      
    • Passport (U.S. or other country)*
      
    • U.S. Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
      
    • Permanent Resident/Green Card
      
    • U.S. Visa
      

*The out of state driver’s license/ID and the passport require documentation of the state / country of origin.

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. You may test in South Carolina without meeting our residency requirements; your jurisdiction has to be from another state.

No, South 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. 

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

South Carolina charges $37.50 per subject for the GED® test taken at a test center  

• What is my cost if I Test Online? 

South Carolina charges $43.50 per subject for the GED® test taken online

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

For those testing in-person at a Testing Center:  

• In South Carolina, test-takers may take a subject area test as many as three times without a waiting period between each unsuccessful attempt. After taking a subject area test three times, the test-taker must wait 60 days before retesting. A 60-day wait period will go into effect after each additional non-passing subject area test attempt. 

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. 

In South Carolina, there is a $17.50 test center fee for test retakes. 

For those testing on the Online Exam: 

• The Online Proctored Exam costs $43.50 for a retake in South Carolina. Discounted retakes are not offered on the Online Proctored Exam. 

There may be additional requirements that you need to meet. We recommend contacting your state’s office at (803) 734-8347 to find out more about your credential.

Once you pass the GED^® test in South Carolina, you will automatically receive your transcript and credential.  Please allow two week processing time.  Duplicate diplomas and transcripts can be ordered online.

• $10.00 each – Transcript + plus $4.00 processing fee
  
• $10.00 each – Diploma + plus $4.00 processing fee
  

In South Carolina the credential is called the South Carolina High School Equivalency Diploma.

For those testing in-person at a Testing Center:

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

For those testing on the Online Exam: 

• For Online Proctored exams 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. 

In South Carolina, you can test in either Spanish or English. If you take the exam in Spanish you will only receive a transcript; you will not receive an equivalency certificate.

No, in South Carolina you cannot combine different language versions of the GED^® 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.

Michael R. King
GED Administrator^™
State Department of Education
GED Testing Office
1429 Senate Street, Suite 402
Columbia, SC 29201
(803)-734-8300