Tennessee

You must be 18 years old to test in Tennessee.  

Tennessee has specific requirements for 17-year-old testers.  

1. Fill out the HSE Recommendation for 17-Year-Old Student form.
2. Testers must have the superintendent of school or his/her designee, or home school-parent complete and sign the HSE Recommendation for 17-Year-Old- Student form.
3. The HSE Recommendation Form needs to be uploaded to the TN Age Waiver Zendesk Site and complete the information required.
4. Once the form is uploaded to the site, the Tennessee State Administrator will approve you to test.
5. After approval through the Zendesk, then the tester signs up for the test on the GED® website. 

For those testing on the Online Exam:  

• A parent or guardian must be present at the pre-test check-in

No, there is no residency requirement to take the test in Tennessee. 

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 in which you are interested in taking the test. The credential will be issued from the state in which you pass your final subject. 

• No, Tennessee doesn’t require you to prepare for the GED® test in an adult education classroom.

• However, it is strongly recommended to consider enrolling in an adult education program to receive academic support in preparing for the GED® test and possibly qualify for test vouchers to cover the cost of testing.

• Remember that taking classes is the best way to prepare for the GED® test.

• To find an AE program near you visit: Find Your Program (tn.gov)

For those testing in-person at a Testing Center:  

• No, you’re not required to take the GED Ready® practice test before taking the official GED® test.

For those testing on the Online Exam:  

• Yes, you are required to take the GED Ready® practice test before taking the official GED® test online.

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

• $36 per subject for the GED® test at a Test Center. The total of $144 for all 4 subject areas. 

• The cost for the GED® test may be covered by vouchers if you attend a local adult education (AE) program.

• To find an AE program near you, visit: Find Your Program (tn.gov) 

What is my cost if I test Online?

• It costs $36 per subject for the GED® test taken online. The total cost is $144 for all 4 subject areas. 

• The cost for the GED® test may be covered by vouchers if you attend a local adult education (AE) program.  

• To find an AE program near you, visit: Find Your Program (tn.gov) 

You will pay for the test online with a debit or credit card when you schedule your test. 

Don’t have a credit or debit card? Some students use American Express Bluebird. Register for a free Bluebird card online and add funds with cash at a Walmart location. Learn more about Bluebird. 

Alternatively, the cost may be covered by vouchers if you attend a local adult education (AE) program. To find an AE program near you, visit: Find Your Program (tn.gov) 

For those testing in-person at a Testing Center:    

• In Tennessee, there is no waiting period for your first two retakes. After taking a test subject 3 times, you’ll have to wait 60 days before retesting. There’s no limit to how many times you can test in a year.

For those testing on the Online Exam: 

• The Online Proctored Exam allows for one retake before a 60-day waiting period. After taking a test subject two times online, you’ll have to wait 60 days before retesting.  

For those testing in-person at a Testing Center:  

• 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.

• *In Tennessee, there is a $10 test center fee for GED® test retakes.

For those testing on the Online Exam: 

• The Online Proctored Exam costs $36 for a retake in Tennessee. Discounted retakes are not offered on the Online Proctored Exam.

There may be additional requirements that you need to meet. We recommend contacting your state’s office by calling: 615 -741-7054  

You can request a copy of your Tennessee transcript or diploma by clicking on this link: https://diplomasender.com/#/ 

You would be required to create an account if a new user to access to requested documents. 

Existing user would need to log in and request documents needed. 

The first transcript and diploma will be complimentary, after that a cost of $20 will be applied to each document. 

In Tennessee the credential is called the High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED). 

For those testing in-person at a Testing Center: 

• Yes, in Tennessee you can take all test subjects in the same day if you can find a testing center with hours that accommodate it. 

For those testing on the Online Exam: 

• No, you must schedule your test appointments separately, one at a time. After you complete one online exam you may schedule another, based on appointment availability. 

Yes, in Tennessee, you can take the GED® Test in English or Spanish and you can combine the two languages to earn your credential. 

It depends on whether or not that state offered the GED® Test and has a residency requirement. Check the residency requirements in that state and don’t hesitate to contact the GED Administrator™ in that state with questions. 

Yvette Dixon | Director of Program Monitoring & Testing

Adult Education Division 

220 French Landing Drive 4B 

Nashville, Tennessee 37243

Phone: 615-574-9737

[email protected]