Attention California Proficiency Exam test takers: It may take up to four weeks for the physical California Certificate of Proficiency and Official Transcript to be received via U.S. mail. Passing Verification Letters, which can be used as proof of proficiency exam completion, are processed weekly, for the previous testing week, and are sent to the email address provided on your eligibility application.
Taking the HiSET High School Equivalency Exam – Click here
California Proficiency Program ceremonial passer certificates will begin shipping to test takers on March 24th, 2025.
California HiSET® Proficiency Requirements
Access your myHiSET account on PSIExams.com
About the California HiSET Proficiency Exams for the California Proficiency Program (CPP)
If you’re a high school student searching for a way to start your higher education or career journey, then HiSET® Proficiency is the solution you’re looking for to achieve your goals!
The HiSET Proficiency provides students with the opportunity to take the HiSET language arts and mathematics subtests, which assess their proficiency in the standards taught up to the 12th grade level. Upon successfully passing each of the three subtests, eligible students will be awarded a California Certificate of Proficiency, which holds the same legal equivalent as a California-issued high school diploma.
The California Certificate of Proficiency is widely accepted at all California Junior Colleges, State Universities, and Universities of California. It is also recognized as a legal equivalent to a high school diploma by California employers. Students who wish to take the HiSET Proficiency are advised to check with their prospective college to ensure that the California Certificate of Proficiency is accepted and that all necessary coursework for admission has been completed.
Upon receiving CPP Official Score Report and exiting high school, individuals become eligible to take the remaining two subtests of the HiSET for high school equivalency (Science and Social Studies) to obtain a California High School Equivalency Certificate, which is recognized nationally and internationally. This certificate can open more opportunities than a California Certificate of Proficiency alone.
See the California Proficiency Program for more information.
To contact HiSET Customer Support click here or call 1-855-MyHiSET (1-855-694-4738). Please be sure to indicate that you are a California Proficiency test taker.
Scores
After passing all the HiSET-Proficiency subtests, a student will receive individual score reports in their myHiSET Proficiency account and separately their California Certificate of Proficiency and Official Transcript. It may take up to four weeks for the physical California Certificate of Proficiency and Official Transcript to arrive at the address linked to the student’s myHiSET account. An update on the timeline for eTranscripts will be provided once documents are available. In the interim, a passing verification letter will be sent to the email address provided on your eligibility application. These letters are produced weekly for the previous testing week and are sent to the email address provided on your eligibility application.
- Official results cannot be provided earlier, although scores are accessible in the student’s MyHiSET Proficiency account.
- Proficiency results cannot be combined with previous CHSPE results.
- Superintendents, or their official designees, will receive a roster of passing students quarterly.
If you need to order a paid duplicate copy of your official transcript and/or certificate, please call 1-855-MyHiSET (1-855-694-4738).
- Expedited shipping is an additional $15 per request and expedited orders will be processed and shipped within three business days after payment is received.
- Each copy is $25 per document.
CPP Passers, prospective employers, and universities may request a CPP Passing Verification Letter to provide proof of passing the exam. The Passing Verification Letter is not a formal educational document and does not include any Personally Identifiable Information other than the test taker’s full name and therefore does not violate the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) 20 United States Code Section 1232g.
Document processing fees noted above, will apply.
Score Challenges
Scoring of the HiSET-Proficiency subtests is the responsibility of HiSET®. The California Department of Education (CDE) does not interfere with HiSET’s researched established practices and/or protocols.
A test taker may request a “rescore” if they feel that the score is inaccurate, however, if a test was taken twice with the same result, it is a good indication that the score is accurate
It is recommended to study, and work with teachers, tutors, and/or adult educators to better prepare for the next attempt.
The CDE will not approve a request to waive the policy for a test taker to exceed the three-attempt per calendar year rule.
If you feel your HiSET scores were reported incorrectly or do not accurately reflect your performance, you can have them reviewed for a $25 fee by calling PSI Customer Service at 1-855-MyHiSET (1-855-694-4738).
HiSET California Testing Options and Fees
In California, you can take the HiSET Proficiency either at a participating test center via computer-based or paper-based subtests or Test @ Home (online-proctored).
Total fees per paper subtest including test center and state admin fees
$130
Total expected fees to take all three HiSET Proficiency subtests assuming no retake attempts and completion in a single calendar year:
$390
Subtest fee breakdown:
Test Fee: $91
State Admin Fee: $25
Test Center Fee: $14
Test Location: Test Center
Total fees per computer subtest including test center and state admin fees
$130
Total expected fees to take all three HiSET Proficiency subtests assuming no retake attempts and completion in a single calendar year::
$390
Subtest fee breakdown:
Test Fee: $91
State Admin Fee: $25
Test Center Fee: $14
Test Location: Test Center
Total fees per online-proctored subtest including test center and state admin fees
$133.50
Total expected fees to take all three HiSET Proficiency subtests assuming no retake attempts and completion in a single calendar year:
$400.50
Subtest fee breakdown:
Test Fee: $91
State Admin Fee: $25
Remote Proctoring Fee: $17.5
Test Location: Offsite, remote proctored. System requirements and test environment guidelines must be met.
Included with Your Fee: The State of California collects a state administration fee of $25 per initial subtest. The HiSET Proficiency test fee includes the cost of one printed transcript and one printed certificate.
Retesting
What to know: HiSET test takers may take each subtest a maximum of three (3) times in 6 months. The 6 month period is split into two 6 month periods each year.
First 6 month period: January 1 to June 30
Second 6 month period: July 1 to December 31st
How it works: If you take your first official HiSET subtest in the month of January and then take two retakes at a test center in the months of February and March, you would not be permitted to take that subtest again until July of the same year.
California Homeless and Foster Youths: Fee Waiver for High School Equivalency and Proficiency Tests
If you are under the age of 25 (and certified as a homeless youth by a homeless services provider) or a foster youth as defined in Education Code Section 48412, you qualify for a fee waiver for high school equivalency and proficiency tests.
What’s Covered:
The fee waiver covers fees for services related to test administration; it does not cover fees for services or documents required to verify the need for testing accommodations, test preparation,or other services not related to the administration of the tests.
What to Do:
To receive a fee waiver at the time of registration for a test administration, you must submit all standard required registration materials, including the documentation required for all testing accommodations that you may need, and certification of your foster or homeless youth status to the test contractor.
Return your completed certification form to [email protected].
Access your myHiSET account on PSIExams.com