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California HiSET® Requirements

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About the California 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 California high school equivalency testing program for more information.

California Eligibility Requirements

To take the HiSET exam in California, you must not have completed high school and you must be a California resident or a member of the armed forces assigned to duty in the state of California. Additionally, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

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Note:

Certain California school districts or adult schools have different requirements. If you’re taking the HiSET exam in any of the following, please verify their requirements with them directly:

  • Chula Vista Adult School
  • Long Beach School for Adults
  • Los Angeles Unified School District

Following Requirements

  • 18 years of age or older; OR
  • Not currently enrolled in high school; OR
  • 17 years of age and confined to a state or county hospital or institution; OR
  • 17 years of age and enrolled in a dropout recovery program.

Complete eligibility requirement language can be found in California Education Code Section 51420.

Residency

Proof of California residency must be verified, both at the time of registration and before admittance to the testing room.

The California Department of Education has provided the following list of documents that may be used to prove California residency:

  • Current rental or lease agreement
  • Current deed or title to residential real estate property
  • Current mortgage statement
  • Current home utility bill
  • Current cable or phone bill
  • Current employment documents
  • Current insurance documents
  • Current Internal Revenue Service or California Franchise Tax Board tax return
  • Current property tax bill or statement
  • Court documents that list the applicant as a California resident
  • Current California certificate of vehicle or vessel title or registration
  • Completion of the California High School Equivalency Declaration of California Residence.

Test Preparation or Instruction

You are not required to take HiSET preparation courses before taking the test.

Practice Test

You are not required to take a practice test before taking the official exam.

Identification

Identity and age must be verified by current photo identification that includes your name, birth date, signature, photograph and address at time of scheduling and/or before admittance to the testing room. Acceptable identification includes:

  • Photographic driver’s license, with a signature, issued by any U.S. state or foreign government
  • Photographic identification card, with a signature, issued by any of the U.S. Armed Forces, any U.S. state, or any foreign government
  • Photographic Tribal enrollment card with a signature
  • Photographic identification card or badge, with a signature, issued by a California department or agency (e.g., California Conservation Corps)
  • Photographic passport, with a signature, issued by the United States or a foreign government.

Certain California school districts or adult schools have different testing and fee options. If you’re testing with one of the specified organizations below, click the name to expand testing fees, otherwise see General California Fees:

HiSET California Testing Options and Fees

Total fees per paper subtest, not including test center fees
$17
First subtest booked: $37 (see details)

Total expected fees to complete the HiSET (not including test center fees) assuming no retake attempts and completion in a single calendar year:

$105
Subtest fee breakdown:
Test Fee:
$17
Test Center Fee:
Vary by test center. Contact your test center for details.
State Admin Fee:
$20 one-time fee. See note below.
Test Location:
Test Center
Total fees per computer subtest, not including test center fees
$17
First subtest booked: $37 (see details)

Total expected fees to complete the HiSET (not including test center fees) assuming no retake attempts and completion in a single calendar year:

$105
Subtest fee breakdown:
Test Fee:
$17
Test Center Fee:
Vary by test center. Contact your test center for details.
State Admin Fee:
$20 one-time fee. See note below.
Test Location:
Test Center
Total fees per Test @ Home subtest
$34.50
First subtest booked: $54.50 (see details)

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

$192.50
Subtest fee breakdown:
Test Fee:
$17
Remote Proctoring Fee:
$17.50
State Admin Fee:
$20 one-time fee. See note below.

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

State Admin Fees: The State of California collects a one-time state fee of $20 at the time you book your first HiSET subtest.

Included with Your Fee: The California HiSET test fee includes one printed transcript and one printed certificate.

Total fees per paper subtest
$31
First subtest booked: $51 (see details)

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

$175
Subtest fee breakdown:
Test Fee:
$17
Test Center Fee:
$14
State Admin Fee:
$20 one-time fee. See note below.
Test Location:
Test Center
Total fees per computer subtest
$31
First subtest booked: $51 (see details)

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

$175
Subtest fee breakdown:
Test Fee:
$17
Test Center Fee:
$14
State Admin Fee:
$20 one-time fee. See note below.
Test Location:
Test Center

State Admin Fees: The State of California collects a one-time state fee of $20 at the time you book your first HiSET subtest.

Included with Your Fee: The California HiSET test fee includes one printed transcript and one printed certificate.

Contact LBSA for discount offers and additional information.

Total fees per paper subtest
$35
First subtest booked: $55 (see details)

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

$195
Subtest fee breakdown:
Test Fee:
$17
Test Center Fee:
$18 (fee to be collected by the Test Center on test date)
State Admin Fee:
$20 one-time fee. See note below.
Test Location:
Test Center
Total fees per computer subtest
$35
First subtest booked: $55 (see details)

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

$195
Subtest fee breakdown:
Test Fee:
$17
Test Center Fee:
$18 (fee to be collected by the Test Center on test date)
State Admin Fee:
$20 one-time fee. See note below.
Test Location:
Test Center

State Admin Fees: The State of California collects a one-time state fee of $20 at the time you book your first HiSET subtest.

Included with Your Fee: The California HiSET test fee includes one printed transcript and one printed certificate.

Total fees per paper subtest
$35
First subtest booked: $55 (see details)

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

$195
Subtest fee breakdown:
Test Fee:
$17
Test Center Fee:
$18 (fee to be collected by the Test Center on test date)
State Admin Fee:
$20 one-time fee. See note below.
Test Location:
Test Center
Total fees per computer subtest
$30
First subtest booked: $50 (see details)

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

$170
Subtest fee breakdown:
Test Fee:
$17
Test Center Fee:
$13 (fee to be collected by the Test Center on test date)
State Admin Fee:
$20 one-time fee. See note below.
Test Location:
Test Center

State Admin Fees: The State of California collects a one-time state fee of $20 at the time you book your first HiSET subtest.

Included with Your Fee: The California HiSET test fee includes 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.

What it costs

You may retake each subtest two times over the 12 months following your first attempt by paying only the test center fee (noted above for each in-person subtest) or the at-home online proctor fee ($17.50 for each at-home subtest).

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].

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