Washington

You must be 19 years old to test in Washington.

In Washington, anyone 16 through 18 years of age must provide documentation verifying that they are not enrolled in any type of high school program at the time of testing. The only exceptions to this are those who are enrolled in a program while in the military, while incarcerated in a correctional facility, or enrolled in the Washington Options Program (Open Doors).

For students no longer in a high school program

The following forms are to be submitted to the test center where you plan to test. The test center will review and approve your form. Once the form is approved, you will be able to complete your registration and schedule testing.

• A “Request for Approval to Test” form – this form must be obtained from either the last Washington school district you attended or the Washington school district in which you currently reside; WA Public Instruction site.
  
• A “Notarized Statement/Letter for Home School Students” – this form must be completed by the parent/guardian who provided the home-based instruction and then notarized. The form can be obtained from the test center or by emailing GED@sbctc.edu
  

For students who enrolled in a military or Options (Open Doors) program

You will need to notify the test center where you plan to test. If possible, bring documentation of your enrollment and contact number for the program you are attending. Once your enrollment is verified by the test center, you will be able to complete your registration and schedule testing.

All test takers must be a resident of Washington State at the time of testing to be awarded a High School Equivalency (GED^®) Certificate in this state.

For those testing on the Online Exam:

• 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.

Yes, you are required to be a resident to take the test in Washington.

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, Washington 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?

• Starting July 1, 2023: Washington charges $36 per subject for the GED® test at a Test Center.

What is my cost if I test Online?

• Washington charges $36 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.

Don’t have a credit or debit card? Some students use American Express Bluebird. Register for a free Bluebird card online and add funds with cash at a Walmart location. Learn more about Bluebird.

For those testing in-person at a Testing Center:  

• In Washington, there is no waiting period for your first two retakes. 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.

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: 

• Starting July 1, 2023: You will receive one discounted* retake for every GED® test subject you purchase but don’t pass. You have 365 days after your full price test to use this retake. This retake offer (1 full price:1 discount) repeats until you pass the test. GED Testing Service waives its $26 testing fee, however additional testing fees may still apply in your state.
  *In Washington, there is a $10 test center fee for GED® test retakes.
• Note: We have extended the limited-time offer of up to 2 discounted retakes for exams taken in test centers, as long as both retakes are completed by June 30, 2024.  

For those testing on the Online Exam:

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

Washington 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.

In Washington the credential is called the Certificate of Educational Competency.

For those testing in-person at a Testing Center:

• Yes, in Washington 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:

• 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 Washington 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.

Troy Goracke
GED Administrator^™
State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
1300 Quince Street SE
P.O. Box 42495
Olympia, WA 98504-2495
(360) 704-4361