GED Eligibility Requirements
This is a summary of the requirements for GED eligibility.
- If you are at least 19 years old
- If you are 17 or 18 years old
If you are at least 19
Persons 19 years of age and older must:
- Submit a completed application
- Not have graduated from high school or already earned the NYS High School Equivalency Diploma
- Be a resident of New York State for at least one month prior to the day of testing
- Wait two months before retesting and take a different form of the test each time
If you are 17 or 18
Persons 17 and 18 years of age must meet all of the above conditions and, in addition, must meet one of the following requirements:
- Be enrolled in an approved Alternative High School Equivalency Preparation Program OR
- Not have attended a regular, full-time high school for one full year or more and have written verification from the school last attended showing the last date of attendance, dismissal, or discharge. This documentation must be submitted with the GED Exam Application OR
- Be a member of a class that has already graduated and have written verification of that fact OR
- Be accepted into the U.S. military OR
- Be accepted into college OR
- Be a resident in a hospital or treatment facility or detention facility OR
- Be a member of the Job Corps