District of Columbia

FAQs for Earning a GED^® in the District of Columbia

Top Policies

You must be 18 years old to test in the District of Columbia.

In the District of Columbia, you can be 16 or 17 and take the GED^® test if you apply for and receive an age waiver. You need to provide the following:

A notarized letter of permission to test from parent/guardian saying that you have not been enrolled in a traditional high school program for at least 6 months and have submitted a Notice of Intent to Homeschool with OSSE; or
Have not been enrolled in a traditional high school program for at least 6 months, and are enrolled in a DCPS or DC Public Charter School-based educational program that provides academic preparation toward GED^® completion; or,
You are incarcerated or in an out-of-home secure placement within the juvenile justice system and could not reasonably be able to complete a traditional high school diploma program based on his/her current level of academic credits and time remaining for compulsory education; or
Are enrolled in a program established by federal law to provide GED^® test preparation to youth under the age of 18.

For those testing on the Online Exam:

A parent or guardian must be present at the pre-test check-in to give consent and authorize the underage tester to be recorded during testing. If the parent or guardian is not present, the exam session will be revoked.

Yes, to take the GED^® test in the District of Columbia you’re required to be a resident, enrolled in Job Corps, or court-ordered to test. You can prove your residency at the testing center with a valid driver’s license and other proof of residency.

If you have more questions about proof of residency, please contact the DC GED^® Program Office at (202) 274-7173.

Some states allow people who don’t live there to take the GED^® test and others don’t. You’ll need to check the residency requirement for the state that you’re interested to test in.

No, you are not required to take a GED^® class before taking the official GED^® test.

Yes, you are required to take the GED Ready^® practice test and score “Likely to Pass” or “Too Close to Call” before taking the official test.

Or, if you are first time student a preparation program may provide you with a letter of endorsement indicating you are ready to test based on other testing and/or their professional opinion.

Price & Payment

How much does the GED® test cost?

What is my cost if I test at a Test Center?

DC subsidizes $36 for the first attempt of each module at a test center; the promo code may be used a total of four times.
DC charges $3.75 for the first attempt of each GED® test taken at a test center.

NOTE: You must apply the Discount Code DCSAVE36 at checkout in order to pay $3.75 for the first attempt.

What is my cost if I test Online?

The District of Columbia charges $36 per subject for the GED® test taken online

How do I pay for the test?

Test Retake Policies

If I don’t pass, how long do I have to wait before taking the test again?

In the District of Columbia, there is waiting period of 30 days for the first 2 retakes of any subject. After taking a test subject 3 three times, you’ll have to wait 60 calendar days before each retake. There’s no limit to how many times you can test in a year.

In addition to the waiting period, you are required to take the GED Ready^® and score “likely to pass” or “too close to call” in the subject you are seeking to retake.

If you have questions call District of Columbia’s GED^® Program Office at (202) 274-7173.

How much does it cost to retake the GED‌®‌ test?

You will receive one discounted* retake for every GED® test subject you purchase but don’t pass. You have 365 days after your full price test to use this retake. This retake offer (1 full price:1 discount) repeats until you pass the test. GED Testing Service waives its $26 testing fee, however additional testing fees may still apply in your state.

*District of Columbia does not charge an additional fee.

For those testing on the Online Exam:

The Online Proctored Exam costs $36 for a retake in the District of Columbia. Discounted retakes are not offered on the Online Proctored Exam.

Transcripts & Diploma

I passed the GED® test, but the District of Columbia won’t issue my diploma. What do I do?

The District of Columbia GED^® Program has partnered with GED Testing Service for fulfillment of requests for GED^® transcripts and diplomas.

After passing the GED^® test, you will automatically receive one free electronic diploma, one free electronic transcript.

Electronic Diploma and Transcript

The electronic diploma and transcript download links will be e-mailed to the e-mail address associated with your GED^®account once you have passed all GED^® test subjects and earned your diploma.

Links are only available for a limited time, so be sure to download your electronic documents right away.
Follow the instructions provided in the e-mail. These PDF documents are very valuable since they can be forwarded to employers and colleges that accept electronic credentials.
The PDF documents are verified by GED Testing Service/Parchment each time they are opened using Blue Ribbon Security. The blue ribbon symbol displayed in the PDF is assurance that the digital credential is valid, the document is authentic, and the contents of the credential have not been altered.

Printed Diploma

The printed diploma can be ordered in your GED^® account at GED.com. After logging in, go to My Scores and select Order Duplicates. Select Diploma option and then select the Printed Diploma.

You will then be asked who and what address you want the diploma to be mailed to.
Carefully follow the instructions presented during the ordering process.

How do I request my transcript and diploma?

What is the GED® credential in my state called?

Other

Can I take all of the GED® test subjects at once or do I need to setup different appointment times?

Can I take the GED® Test in other languages? Am I allowed to combine languages to credential?

What happens if I move to a different state in the middle of testing? Can I continue my testing in my new state or do I have to start all over?

Who is the GED Administrator™ in the District of Columbia?

How to Get a GED^® in the District of Columbia

Earning your GED^® in the District of Columbia can be an exciting journey leading to higher earning potential, more career opportunities, and access to higher education options. It is also an immense personal accomplishment. Fortunately, you don’t have to embark on your journey for a District of Columbia GED^® alone.

GED.com is your trusted partner along the way, providing invaluable resources like comprehensive study guides, District of Columbia GED^® practice tests, access to online classes, goal tracking, and more. Whether you’re just getting started or need to take the official exam, we’re here to help.

Creating Your Online Account

Creating your free GED.com online account will provide you with immediate access to abundant resources, from practice tests to study guides to the ability to effortlessly find online and in-person classes and testing centers in your area. Starting an account only takes a few minutes, and you’ll only need to provide basic information about yourself, such as your name, date of birth, and contact information. You’ll also need to set an email address and a personal password for the account.

Classes and Testing Centers Near You

Ready to work toward your District of Columbia GED? Your free GED.com account is vital to finding in-person GED^® classes and testing centers in your area. You can use your account and our helpful search tool to find classes near you, discover testing center details, or find class contact information.

For many students seeking their GED^® in the District of Columbia, in-person classes are an ideal way to learn, and they provide benefits like:

More Structured Learning Environment
Face-to-Face Interactions
Immediate Feedback from Instructors
Like-Minded Peers and Networking Opportunities

Online Classes

Would you prefer to earn your GED^® online in the District of Columbia? Enrolling in an online class, working at your own pace, and ultimately taking the official exam online is easier than ever. And as a resident of the DC area, you may even qualify for discounted fees. Online GED^® classes offer a variety of benefits, including:

Greater Flexibility
Ability to Work at Your Own Pace on Your Own Schedule
No Commute
Ability to Spend More Time on Challenging Topics

Ged.com makes it easy to explore your online class options, too. Just log into your GED.com account, click “study” at the top, and choose “Find GED^® Classes” to review your course options.

GED^® Tests Online in the District of Columbia

Did you know you can take the official exam online to earn your GED^® in the District of Columbia? Taking an online exam lets you test in all four subjects from the comfort of your own home at any time of day, any day of the week. Online testing is done while securely monitored by an online proctor and is easy to qualify for. To be eligible to take your GED^® exam online, you’ll just need a:

Reliable Internet Connection, Webcam, and Computer
Private Workspace with a Door That Closes
Government-issued ID or Driver’s License
‘Green’ GED Ready^® Score

You’ll need to log into your GED.com account at least 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment on test day. Once logged in, follow the on-screen prompts to verify your computer, workspace, and ID.

Ready to Earn Your GED^® in the District of Columbia

Are you ready to get started and work toward your District of Columbia GED? We make it easy to get started. Create your online account now and explore your online class options, find GED^® classes near you, or schedule a GED^® test today.

About The Test

District of Columbia

FAQs for Earning a GED® in the District of Columbia