Overview
GED Testing Service, in response to recommendations from the jurisdictional agencies that are responsible for the administration of the GED® testing program, may authorize the establishment of GED® testing centers in eligible local agencies and institutions within the jurisdiction. The GED Administrator™ will decide to establish a GED® testing center on the basis of the need for service in the area and on the ability and willingness of the eligible agency or institution to follow GED Testing Service policies and requirements for establishing and operating a GED® testing center.
1. Establishing an Official GED® Testing Center
Under the following established policies, GED Testing Service approves the opening of all new official GED® testing centers. Official GED® testing centers are facilities that provide standard secure testing administration to eligible candidates who wish to earn their jurisdictions’ high school equivalency credential. Before opening an official GED® testing center, the GED Administrator™ must first complete Form L-75 and submit the completed form for approval to [email protected].
2. Procedural Steps for Opening an Official GED® Testing Center
GED Testing Service establishes and regularly updates policies regulating which agencies or groups may become an official GED® testing center. These policies incorporate the following recommended procedures:
- The local school board, community college, department or ministry of education office, military or jurisdictional correctional agency, or other appropriate institution demonstrates that there is a need to establish a new official GED® testing center.
- The board, office, agency, or institution contacts the GED Administrator™ to discuss the need for establishing a new official GED® testing center. Operational aspects of a GED® testing center, including test security, quality assurance, and examiner qualifications and responsibilities must be discussed.
- The GED Administrator™ reviews the feasibility of other options, such as adding a transportation addendum to the contract of an established official GED® testing center and advises whether the process continues or goes no further.
- The board, office, agency, or institution completes a formal request to establish an official GED® testing center (Form L-75) and staff appointment form (Form L-10) for each prospective examiner.
- The GED Administrator™ or designee conducts a site visit to ensure appropriateness of the location for GED® testing; discusses institutional responsibilities with the GED Chief Examiner™ and Chief Administrative Officer of the hosting agency/institution (superintendent of local school district, president of community college, etc.) and meets with potential personnel at the official GED® testing center.
- The GED Administrator™ submits Form L-75 to GED Testing Service.
- GED Testing Service sends the contract to the GED Administrator™. The test security memorandum is completed. The GED Administrator™ then forwards the contract and the Policy Manual (PDF version) to the new center’s GED Chief Examiner™.
- GED Testing Service sends a welcome letter to the testing center.
- The GED Administrator™ ensures the provision of GED Testing Service-approved training for the new GED Chief Examiner™ and GED Examiner(s)™.
- GED Testing Service ships secure testing materials and a packing slip to the official GED® testing center.
- The GED Administrator™ or designee provides support and technical assistance as needed.
3. Institutional Requirements
For an institution to be eligible and remain eligible to administer GED® tests, the testing program must develop written operational procedures and provide the following assurances:
a. The testing program staff shall comply with all applicable state, federal, provincial, and local laws and regulations.
b. The testing fee, if any, shall be reasonable and reflect locally prevailing charges, especially when the rate is not mandated by the jurisdictional agency.
c. Provision of suitable physical facilities:
- Secure area in which GED® testing center staff can work.
- Dedicated secure storage for all GED® testing materials.
- Quiet, clean, comfortable, well-lit testing rooms.
- Adequate seating space to discourage copying or collaborating.
- Chairs, seating, desks, and writing surfaces suitable for adults.
- Space accessible and conducive to candidates with disabilities.
- A testing environment free of distractions/interruptions.
d. Provision of full testing support services:
- Commitment to the values and traditions of the GED® testing program.
- Convenient testing schedules based on community needs.
- Written emergency plan for handling testing interruptions and irregularities.
- Information to help candidates make informed decisions about GED® testing.
- Detailed and accurate recordkeeping.
- Accessibility and availability of information on test accommodations for GED® candidates who have disabilities.
- Conduct outreach and marketing activities.
e. Cooperation with GED Testing Service:
- Data provided as requested for research.
- Prompt payment of all invoices (within 30 days).
f. Assurance of test security:
- Full compliance with all policies and procedures listed in the Policy Manual.
- Immediate notification to GED Administrator™ and GED Testing Service when test compromise is identified.
- Prompt return of secure testing materials at the end of the contract year.
- Commitment to conduct all required inventories.
- Training for all GED® testing center staff on the center’s customized written emergency plan and plan for receiving secure materials.
4. Establishing Addendum Sites
In areas where establishing a GED® test center is not feasible, the local GED Chief Examiner™ may request approval from the GED Administrator™ for a transportation addendum (Form L-25) to the annual contract. This addendum would allow the GED Chief Examiner™ and GED Examiner™ to transport test booklets to an approved site and conduct testing at this site. (In certain jurisdictions, transportation addenda are not permitted.)
a. The GED Chief Examiner™ submits Form L-25 (Request for Transportation Addendum) to the GED Administrator™ for permission to transport secure testing materials to an appropriate testing site. The GED Chief Examiner™ must provide justification of the need to test at the proposed site and assurance that the addendum site is a suitable facility for GED® testing. The GED Chief Examiner™ must also ensure that only approved GED Examiners™ will transport secure testing materials, and that appropriate inventory procedures will be followed for any testing materials transported to an addendum site.
b. The GED Administrator™ forwards Form L-25 to the GED Testing Service for review and approval.
c. GED Testing Service amends the annual contract and forwards the amendment to the GED Administrator™, who then forwards it to the GED Chief Examiner™.
d. The testing center’s chief administrative officer and the GED Chief Examiner™ must sign the amended contract and return it to the GED Administrator™, who signs and returns it to GED Testing Service.
e. After receiving the amended contract, the testing center may begin testing at the addendum site.
Subsequent contracts will bear the name of any and each addendum site(s) that has been added or deleted to the file of an official GED® testing center. Security procedures must be followed when transporting secure GED testing materials to an addendum site:
a. To ensure that no materials have been misplaced, a complete inventory of all secure testing materials must be conducted
- Before leaving the official GED® testing center.
- Upon arrival at the addendum site.
- Immediately before and after administering the tests.
- Upon returning to the official site.
- Secure materials may only be stored overnight with permission of GED Testing Service at approved sites (i.e., board of education, community college, etc.) and after completing Form L-26.