GED test requirements and how to take the GED online
To take the GED test you must be at least 18, or 16 or 17 with the paperwork your state may require, and you must meet your state’s other rules, which can include residency and not being enrolled in high school. To take it online, you also need a green GED Ready score from the last 60 days for each subject.
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Requirements for GED test eligibility
GED Testing Service sets a baseline and leaves the rest to each state. The baseline: you are at least 18 years old, or you are 16 or 17 and have completed the paperwork your state may require. GED Testing Service says age and other testing requirements vary by area, so check your state’s policy on GED.com before you schedule.
Source: GED Testing Service — Passing the Test brochure, 6th edition. Checked 19 October 2026.
Example: GED requirements in Texas
Texas is one example of what state rules can add. According to the Texas Education Agency, you must be a Texas resident who has not graduated from an accredited high school and is not enrolled in one. The standard minimum age is 18.
- Age 17: parent or guardian permission plus the ID, residency and enrollment requirements
- Age 16: only if in the care of a state agency, under a qualifying court order, in Job Corps or in the Texas Challenge Academy
- Proof of Texas residency, such as a Texas driver license or a utility bill with a Texas address
- A valid government-issued photo ID; student IDs, expired IDs and photocopies are not accepted
- Online testing under 18: a parent or guardian must be present at check-in with their own ID
Source: Texas Education Agency — Eligibility Requirements for High School Equivalency Testing. Checked 19 October 2026.
How to get GED test online
Online testing is available in many but not all areas; GED.com marks areas that do not offer it. If yours does, these are the requirements GED Testing Service lists:
- A GED Ready practice test with a green (Likely to Pass) result for each subject within the last 60 days
- A computer with a webcam and reliable internet; mobile devices are not supported for GED Ready
- A room with four walls, a closed door and no distractions
- A government-issued ID, verified at check-in
Source: GED Testing Service — Take the GED test online. Checked 19 October 2026.
What online test day looks like
An online proctor monitors you during the test, just as at a test center. You get an onscreen whiteboard to work out math with your mouse. Because the 60-day GED Ready window applies per subject, schedule each online subject soon after you score green.
Source: GED Testing Service — Take the GED test online. Checked 19 October 2026.
How to register and schedule
Create a free account on GED.com, log in, choose a test center or online proctoring, pick your subjects, a date and a time, and pay online. If you need testing accommodations, request them before you schedule.
Source: GED Testing Service — Scheduling. Checked 19 October 2026.
Meeting the academic requirement
Eligibility gets you into the test; passing 145 in all four subjects earns the credential. Certsqill’s GED question bank has expert-developed questions per subject, an explanation for every answer option and a readiness score per subject, which helps you decide which subject to book first.
GED requirements: questions people ask
What are the requirements for GED test registration?
Age 18, or 16 to 17 with the paperwork your state may require, plus your state’s rules on residency, enrollment and ID. Source: GED Testing Service, checked 19 October 2026.
Can I take the GED test online?
In many areas, yes. You need a green GED Ready score within 60 days per subject, a computer with webcam, a private room and government ID. Source: GED Testing Service, checked 19 October 2026.
Can a 16-year-old take the GED?
Only where the state allows it with paperwork. In Texas, 16-year-olds qualify only in specific situations such as state agency care or Job Corps. Source: Texas Education Agency, checked 19 October 2026.
What ID do I need for the GED?
A government-issued photo ID. Texas, for example, does not accept student IDs, expired IDs or photocopies. Source: Texas Education Agency, checked 19 October 2026.
Do I need GED Ready before testing at a test center?
GED Testing Service requires it for online testing. Check your state’s policy for test center rules. Checked 19 October 2026.
