Find your state’s requirements and fees
Every state has different policies—find out what’s required where you live.
Check if you meet the age, residency, and other criteria to take the HSE exam in your state. Learn about exam fees, accepted payment methods, and available state subsidies or vouchers.
Some states have special requirements, including:
Withdrawal from high school
In most cases, you must be unenrolled in high school to take the HiSET exam.
Age requirements
Generally, you need to be at least 18 years old to take the HiSET exam. However, age requirements vary by state, with some states requiring added steps or age waivers for those as young as 16 years old to be able to take the HiSET exam.
Residency requirements
Some states require you to live in the state to take the HiSET exam and provide proof of residency / your address. If you do not live in a HiSET state, you may be able to take your exam out-of-state. Check your state’s requirements to find out.
Enrollment in an adult education program
Some states require you to be enrolled in a local adult education program to take the HiSET exam.
Passing scores on a HiSET Official Practice Test
Some states require you to take and pass an Official Practice Test (OPT) before you take the HiSET exam. You will need to visit a local adult education program to gain access to a HiSET OPT.
Other requirements
Some states have other specific requirements. Be sure to check your individual state requirements for details.
Testing accommodations
If you have a disability or require special accommodations, learn how to request testing accommodations. Most accommodations require pre-approval.
Find a test center
Use our find a Test Center or Program search tool to find a nearby in-person test center.
Before you decide where to take your exam, it is important to know and understand the benefits of testing at a center versus taking the HiSET exam online from home.
In-person testing at a test center – what you need to know:
- HiSET test centers may offer paper-based testing (PBT) and / or computer-based testing (CBT). If you want a paper-based test, check with your test center.
- Be sure to have any documents you need to take with you, and check your scheduled test appointment time, before exam day.
- Give yourself enough time to arrive and check in to the test center before your exam time. We suggest arriving at least 30 minutes early.
- Personal items, food and drinks are not allowed in the testing room.
- You will be monitored by proctors and may be recorded during your exam.
- Suspicious activity may lead to your exam being paused or cancelled.
- A proctor will be able to help if you have any technical issues. Just ask.
- Please be mindful of other test takers.
Online proctored tests (HiSET Test at Home) – what you need to know:
In most states, the HiSET exam offers an online proctored option, allowing you to take the exam from the comfort of your home or other secure location. Learn more about taking the HiSET as a online-proctored test.
Sign up
How to sign up for the HiSET: Step-by-step instructions on how to create a HiSET account.
Scheduling
Learn how to schedule a test appointment, reschedule an appointment, or cancel your appointment.
FAQs
Get answers to common questions about testing formats, retakes, and more.
Schedule a test
Before scheduling your HiSET test, check your state’s requirements to make sure you meet the right conditions to take the test. You may be able to schedule your test online or you may be required to go to a test center to schedule.
Follow the steps
Once your state requirements are confirmed, it’s a simple 3 step process:
Schedule a test appointment
How you schedule a test appointment varies by state. Some states require you to schedule directly through a test center, while others allow online scheduling via your myHiSET account.
Reschedule a test appointment
If you can’t make your test appointment, you can reschedule. Permitted changes include the date, time, or location. Test format (paper- or computer-based) and language cannot be changed after you schedule your test. To switch formats, you will need to cancel your appointment and schedule a new test.
Rescheduling must be completed at least 24 hours before your scheduled test, and the new date must fall within 12 months of the original appointment.
Cancel a scheduled test
You can cancel your appointment any time before your scheduled test time. However, to receive a refund on your fee, you must cancel at least 24 hours before your scheduled time. You may be able to cancel your test through your HiSET account or you may need to contact Test Taker Services. Local test center and state fees are non-refundable.
If you miss your test appointment without canceling ahead of time, you will forfeit your fee. If you want to reschedule the exam, you will have to pay again and schedule a new test appointment.
How you cancel your test appointment depends on your state requirements and testing location. To find out how to cancel an appointment, check your HiSET account or contact your test center.
Re-take a subtest
If you don’t meet the minimum passing score, you may be able to retake your test. Each state or jurisdiction has its own policies for re-taking a subtest. To learn how to schedule your new test appointment, see your State Requirements.
Payment Policies
If You Schedule Online
Payment options:
- Credit/debit cards (American Express®, Discover®, MasterCard®, VISA®, PayPal ® or JCB)
- HiSET Test Voucher
If paying with cash, purchase a prepaid gift card that allows online transactions.
If You Schedule by Phone
Payment options:
- Credit/debit cards (American Express, Discover, MasterCard, VISA, or JCB)
- HiSET Test Voucher
If You Schedule at a Test Center
Payment policies vary by test center. Contact your test center for accepted payment methods.