How to sign up for the GED: account, eligibility and scheduling
Last checked October 15, 2026 · Sources: GED.com (GED Testing Service), online testing; state pages from Vermont, Alaska, Arizona and Maryland; Lower Columbia College and Davis Technical College testing pages
To sign up for the GED, create a free account at GED.com, choose your state to see its rules and prices, then schedule and pay for one subject at a time at a test center or online. GED.com is the only official place to register; test centers themselves can’t book the test for you.
How to sign up for the GED, step by step
Sign up at GED.com. Test centers such as Davis Technical College say they can't schedule the test for you; you go directly through GED.com.
Your state sets the minimum age, residency and paperwork rules, and the price. GED.com shows these once you choose your state.
Take GED Ready, $7.99 per subject, to see if you're likely to pass. It's required for online testing and optional for test centers in most states.
Pick a subject, choose a test center or online testing, pick English or Spanish, then choose a date and pay. Prices vary by state; Maryland, for example, charges $36 per subject online.
Bring government-issued ID that meets GED.com's requirements, or have it ready for online check-in.
Who can sign up: eligibility rules
You generally can’t be enrolled in high school or already hold a high school diploma. Beyond that, each state sets its own age and paperwork rules, and 16- and 17-year-olds usually need extra steps. Two official examples:
| State | Minimum age | Extra rules for 16- and 17-year-olds |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont | 16 | Parental permission required for anyone under 18 |
| Alaska | 18 | Can test at 16 or 17 with a withdrawal slip from the last school attended plus emancipation papers or signed parent or guardian permission |
Sources: Vermont Agency of Education and Alaska Adult Education pages, checked October 15, 2026.
Some states add other steps, such as a school withdrawal form. Maryland, for example, requires a GED School Withdrawal/Exception Form completed by a school official for some applicants. GED.com will tell you what your state needs.
Test center or online
Most people test at an official Pearson VUE test center, often at a community college. In participating states you can also test online from home with a live proctor, if you’ve scored Green on GED Ready within the last 60 days and meet the computer and room requirements. Our online GED guide covers the details.
Testing accommodations
If you need accommodations, such as extra time for a documented disability, request them through GED Testing Service before scheduling. Vermont’s education agency notes that requests are submitted to and approved by GED Testing Service, and Arizona lists accommodations@GED.com as the contact. Once approved, GED Testing Service says you can choose to test at a center or online.
After you test
Scores appear in your GED.com account. Testing centers describe this differently: Lower Columbia College says within 3 hours of finishing, while Davis Technical College says within 24 hours. Once you’ve passed all four subjects, your state issues your credential and transcripts, and states may charge for later copies.
Common questions about signing up for the GED
Where do I sign up for the GED?
At GED.com, the only official place to register. No other organization is authorized to sign you up.
How old do you have to be to take the GED?
It depends on your state. Some allow 16-year-olds with permission; others, such as Alaska, set 18 as the minimum with exceptions for 16- and 17-year-olds.
Do I have to schedule all four subjects at once?
No. You can sign up and schedule one subject at a time.
Can I take the GED in Spanish?
Yes. You choose English or Spanish when you schedule each subject in your GED.com account.
Do I need GED Ready before I sign up?
Usually not at a test center, though some states require it. It is required for online testing.
We first checked these sources on October 12, 2026 and rechecked them on October 15, 2026. MockTestPrep is independent and is not affiliated with GED Testing Service or any state agency.