In most states, you can take the GED test at home. This kind of testing is very convenient and saves time. However, there are states that don’t have this possibility. This article explains how you can take the GED test online regardless of the state you live in.
Let’s make clear that the GED test is provided by the GED Testing Service, and students need to register at ged.com. You can prepare for the GED test quickly with our online GED classes.
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Not every state uses the GED® test for High School Equivalency testing. Nine states offer the HiSET® exam instead of the GED test. Although the HiSET also offers testing at home, some students are not able to schedule the HiSET at home.
Keep reading to find out what to do if you want to take the GED test at home.
First, you need to be aware that to qualify for taking the GED test online, and you’ll have to reach test results in the “green” (likely to pass) zone on the GED Ready® test, the official GED practice test from GED Testing Service. There is no exception.
Next, you need to find a state that allows non-residents to take the GED test. For example, Florida and Idaho have no residency requirements, and both states offer online testing.
So just look at the overview below and learn which states offer online testing and have no residency requirement.
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The GED diploma will be issued by the state in which you pass your final subject, and the GED diploma is valid nationwide.
You can check what states require residency here. The listed prices are for one of the four GED subtests. There are four separate GED subtests so that the entire GED battery will cost you four times the listed amount.
GED Online Testing by State and Residency Requirements
| State | GED Test Cost at a Test Center | Cost of the GED Online Test | Residency required? |
| Alabama | $30.00 | $36.00 | No |
| Alaska | $30.00 | $36.00 | No |
| Arizona | $35.00 | $41.00 | No |
| Arkansas | $4.00 | $36.00 | Yes |
| California | $35.00 | $41.00 | Yes |
| Colorado | $37.50 | $43.50 | No |
| Connecticut | $13.00 | $13.00 | Yes |
| Delaware | $30.00 | $36.00 | Yes |
| District of Columbia | $3.75 | $3.75 | Yes |
| Florida | $32.00 | $36.00 | No |
| Georgia | $40.00 | $46.00 | No |
| Hawaii | $37.50 | $43.50 | No |
| Idaho | $30.00 | $36.00 | No |
| Illinois | $30.00 (reduced fees apply) | $36.00 (reduced fees apply) | Yes |
| Indiana | No GED-HiSET instead | – | Yes |
| Iowa | No GED-HiSET instead | – | No |
| Kansas | $33.00 | $39.00 | No |
| Kentucky | $30.00 | $36.00 | Yes |
| Louisiana | No GED-HiSET instead | – | No |
| Maine | No GED-HiSET instead | – | No |
| Maryland | $11.25 | $11.25 | Yes |
| Massachusetts | $31.25 | $37.25 | Yes |
| Michigan | $37.50 | $43.50 | No |
| Minnesota | $30.00 | $36.00 | No |
| Mississippi | $30.00 | $36.00 | No |
| Missouri | No GED-HiSET instead | – | Yes |
| Montana | No GED-HiSET instead | – | Yes |
| Nebraska | $30.00 | $36.00 | No |
| Nevada | $23.75 | $36.00 | Yes |
| New Hampshire | No GED-HiSET instead | – | Yes |
| New Jersey | $30.00 | $36.00 | Yes |
| New Mexico | $20.00 | $36.00 | No |
| New York | Free | N/A | Yes |
| North Carolina | $20.00 | $36.00 | No |
| North Dakota | $30.00 | $36.00 | No |
| Ohio | $30.00 | $36.00 | Yes |
| Oklahoma | $34.00 | $40.00 | No |
| Oregon | $38.00 | $44.00 | No |
| Pennsylvania | $30.00 | $36.00 | Yes |
| Rhode Island | $30.00 | $36.00 | Yes |
| South Carolina | $37.50 | N/A | Yes |
| South Dakota | $37.50 | $37.50 | No |
| Tennessee | No GED-HiSET instead | – | No |
| Texas | $36.50 | $42.50 | Yes |
| Utah | $30.00 | $36.00 | No |
| Vermont | $30.00 | $36.00 | No |
| Virginia | $30.00 | $36.00 | No |
| Washington | $30.00 | $36.00 | Yes |
| West Virginia | No GED-HiSET instead | – | Yes |
| Wisconsin | $33.75 | $39.75 | Yes |
| Wyoming | $20.00 | $36.00 | No |
Taking the GED test at home – technical requirements
To be able to take the GED exam at home (the Online Proctored GED Test), you need to use a laptop or desktop with a camera and a microphone. Your internet connection must be secure and stable, and you must use a quiet
and private room.
You are required to install the specific proctoring software for the GED exam on the computer you’re using to take the exam. This software will check software on your computer, monitor your activities, and stream your testing data to specific GED proctoring software. This software additionally records video and audio via your webcam.
You cannot use a tablet or any mobile device. To make sure the testing data will transfer continually, your internet connection speed must be no less than 500 kbps. So it is important to have a secure and stable internet connection and during the test, you cannot close your browser.
When starting your Online Proctored GED test, your identity needs to be verified by taking a webcam photo of your face and your picture ID. Additionally, the installed software will verify if your testing environment is secure and safe.
To summarize
You can take the GED test at home even if your state doesn’t offer this possibility, but you need to comply with a few requirements.