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Montana HiSET® Requirements

The following policies apply to anyone taking the HiSET® exam in Montana.. When you schedule an appointment, you will need to confirm that you have read and understand these policies.

See the Montana high school equivalency testing program website for more information.

Montana Eligibility Requirements

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

  • Age: You must be at least 16 years of age to take the HiSET exam, and you cannot be enrolled in high school. Note: If you are 16, 17 or 18 years of age, there are additional requirements and policies that apply. Click on your age below to see what you need to do in order to take the HiSET exam.
    • If you are 16 years of age and not enrolled in high school because of special circumstances, you must submit all of the following documentation for an age requirement waiver to the Montana State HiSET Administrator for review and approval prior to being able to schedule an appointment for testing:
      • Completed, signed and notarized 16-year-old Age Waiver Application Form with required school documentation attached (1C) demonstrating consensus of applicant; school officials; and applicant’s parent/legal guardian that the HiSET testing program is considered in the best educational interest of the applicant.
      • Original letter from an Adult Basic Education (ABE) Director or Literacy Program Director certifying that the applicant has enrolled in and attended HiSET preparation classes and is academically prepared to attempt the HiSET exam; and/or documentation from same source certifying the applicant obtained pre-test scores substantiating preparedness for the official HiSET exam.
      • Letter of documentation, on official letterhead, establishing applicant’s need to obtain a high school equivalency credential through the HiSET test at age 16, originally signed and coming from one of the following:
        • postsecondary admissions officer
        • employer requiring high school equivalency for employment purposes
    • If you are 17 years of age, you must provide the test center with documentation for one of the following prior to testing.
      • Candidates with previous high school enrollment:
        • An original, official school document that clearly identifies you by name and date of birth, provides your last school enrollment date, and is signed by the chief education officer verifying that you have been advised of in-school and alternative educational options.
        • Letter of approval on school letterhead, originally signed by the chief education officer of the last school attended, documenting your last school enrollment.
        • Letter of documentation on school letterhead, originally signed by the chief education officer indicating your high school class has graduated.
      • Candidates with no previous high school enrollment:
        • Letter of documentation on school letterhead, originally signed by the chief education officer in the public school district in which you currently reside, certifying you have not enrolled in the public school and have been advised of local in-school options.
        • You can only provide this documentation if you last attended school out-of-state and are able to demonstrate the inability to obtain an official withdrawal document for the last school you attended.
    • If you are 18 years of age, you must provide the test center with documentation for one of the following prior to testing.
    • Candidates with previous high school enrollment:
      • An original, official school document that clearly identifies you by name and date of birth, provides your last school enrollment date, and is signed by the chief education officer verifying that you have been advised of in-school and alternative educational options.
      • Letter of approval on school letterhead, originally signed by the chief education officer of the last school attended documenting your last school enrollment.
      • Letter of documentation on school letterhead, originally signed by the chief education officer indicating your high school class has graduated.
    • Candidates with no previous high school enrollment:
      • Letter of documentation on school letterhead, originally signed by the chief education officer in the public school district in which you currently reside, certifying you have not enrolled in the public school and have been advised of local in-school options.
      • You can only provide this documentation if you last attended school out-of-state and are able to demonstrate the inability to obtain an official withdrawal document for the last school you attended.
    • If you are 19 or older, you do not have any additional age-related policies or requirements.
  • Residency: You must be a resident of Montana to take the HiSET exam at a test center in Montana. You will need to provide proof that you live in Montana with a valid driver’s license or other proof of residency. Contact your state office for information about proof of residency. If testing on a military installation or in a federal correctional institution, you must claim Montana as your state of residency.
  • Test Preparation or Instruction: Montana does not require you to prepare for the HiSET exam in an adult education classroom, but it is recommended
  • Practice Test: Montana does not require you to take a practice test to qualify for the HiSET exam.
  • 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 and photograph

Montana HiSET Testing Fees

Paper-based Test

Perfect for test takers who love the scratch of pencil on paper and the feeling they’re in high school all over again.

$ 15 .00

per subtest, plus test administration fee
(see below)

  • Paper-based tests may only be taken at a designated test center and are not available for Test at Home.

Computer-based Test

Ideal for test takers who are more comfortable clicking a mouse. Plus, it costs less.

$ 10 .75

per subtest, plus test administration fee
(see below)

Test Administration Fees

Test Center Fee:

$ 0-5 .00

per subtest*

Test at Home Fee:

$ 17 .50

per subtest

State Admin Fee:

$ 0 .00

per subtest

* A test center administration fee is required for each re-test. Test center administration fees by modality are outlined above.

*Test centers have varying fees. For Billings, Hardin, Lewiston and Wolf Point, the test center fee is $0. For Browning, Glendive, Havre HRDC4, Lame Deer, Libby, Livingston, Miles City, the fee is $3. For Bozeman, Butte, Glasgow, Hamilton, Helena, Kalispell, Missoula, Poplar, Salish Kotenai College, and UM Western Dillon, the fee is $5. For Great Falls, the fee is $5 for all five tests and $2 for retests and single subtests.