Iowa HiSET® Requirements

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About the Iowa HiSET® Exam

Earn the credential your future needs with the HiSET® High School Equivalency Test.

If you want to find a better job or take the first step on a pathway to a career, then you need to earn a high school equivalency credential. It is required for college and more important than ever to employers. Taking the HiSET exam can help change your life and expand your opportunities like it’s done for other test takers.

See the Iowa’s high school equivalency testing program website for more information.

Iowa Eligibility Requirements

To take the HiSET exam in Iowa, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Community College Enrollment: You must be enrolled in one of Iowa’s 15 Community Colleges. You can contact your nearest Community College by visiting the Educate.Iowa.gov website.

Importantly, you will be turned away at the testing center and not allowed to proceed until enrolled in one of Iowa’s 15 Community Colleges adult education programs to support you on your HSE journey.

Age: If you are 18 years old or older, you may take the HiSET exam without meeting special circumstances.

For all candidates under 18 years old, a drop form or proof of non-enrollment is necessary.

If you are 16 years and 9 months old, and:

not a resident of an Iowa state training school or Iowa juvenile home, and
not under the supervision of a probation office,

you may still take the HiSET exam. However, please note that even if you meet these criteria, and you take and pass the HiSET exam, you will not be able to receive your state-issued high school equivalency diploma until you reach age 18 and your class from 9th grade has graduated.

If you are 16 years old, you must meet one of the following exceptions to take the HiSET exam:

You are a resident of an Iowa Juvenile Institution (State Training School(s) or the Iowa Juvenile Home),
Placed under the supervision of a Juvenile Probation Office, or
Participating in the Job Corps program.

In addition to the above requirements, all candidates who are 16-17 years old, may take the HiSET exam only after an age waiver has been completed.

Residency: You do not have to be a resident of Iowa to take the HiSET exam.

Test Preparation or Instruction: Iowa requires all test takers to receive instruction in an adult education classroom before taking the HiSET exam. The amount of instruction varies by testing center. You can find an adult education program by visiting Iowa’s adult education programs.

Practice Test: In Iowa, you must take the official HiSET half-length practice test before taking the official HiSET exam. IMPORTANT: Official practice test verification is required on test day for admittance to testing. Practice test verification is available through your Adult Education and Literacy program.

Identification: You must present identification on test day at the HiSET test center. Outdated or expired identification will not be accepted. Acceptable forms of identification include:

Valid driver’s license
Passport
Military ID
Other form of government-issued (national or foreign) identification that shows:
- Name
- Address
- Date of birth
- Signature
- Photograph

Of note, after you’ve completed your HiSET testing in Iowa, the HiSET Comprehensive Report available in your HiSET Test Taker Portal will not reflect your Iowa credentialing status as Iowa has specific rules about HiSET scores expiring in five (5) years. Your actual credentialing would be determined within the State’s credential database and you should contact the entity that provides Iowa’s transcripts and credentials for information, assistance and/or details.

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Iowa myHiSET Login

HiSET Iowa Testing Options and Fees

Total fees per paper subtest

$15

Total expected fees to complete the HiSET assuming no retake attempts and completion in a single calendar year:

$75

Subtest fee breakdown:

Test Fee: $15

Test Center Fee: $0

State Admin Fee: $0

Test Location: Test Center

Total fees per computer subtest

$15

Total expected fees to complete the HiSET assuming no retake attempts and completion in a single calendar year:

$75

Subtest fee breakdown:

Test Fee: $15

Test Center Fee: $0

State Admin Fee: $0

Test Location: Test Center

Total fees per Test @ Home subtest

$32.50

Total expected fees to complete the HiSET assuming no retake attempts and completion in a single calendar year:

$162.50

Subtest fee breakdown:

Test Fee: $15

Test Center Fee: $17.50

State Admin Fee: $0

Test Location: Offsite, remote proctored. System requirements and test environment guidelines must be met.

Note: You will be charged your test fee if you do not cancel or reschedule more than 24 hours prior to the scheduled appointment.

Retesting

What to know: HiSET test takers may take each subtest a maximum of three (3) times in a calendar year.

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 the next calendar year starting in January, and you would then need to pay the full test price.

What it costs: You may retake each subtest two times over the 12 months following your first attempt. If you have selected Test @ Home, you must pay the at-home online proctor fee ($17.50 for each at-home subtest).

Access your myHiSET account on PSIExams.com

Iowa myHiSET Login