Applying for the GED

Important

The current 2002 series is scheduled to end on Dec. 31, 2013. If you have not passed one or more parts of the 2002 series, beginning Jan. 1, 2014, you will need to take the entire test and pass to receive your GED. Prior scores will not be counted. The cost of the GED test in 2014 is $120.

Find out more about the changes.

  1. Complete and submit your GED application using the online system known as SAFE.
  2. Pay for your GED test.
    • Pay for your test online with a credit card when you apply, OR
    • Download the confirmation page and mail it, along with your payment to: 
      State GED Office, 25 S. Front St., Columbus, OH 43215
      Make money orders or business checks payable to the Ohio Testing Services.
      Your payment is non-refundable and non-transferrable.
    • Learn more about costs.
  3. Check on the SAFE website to see if your GED application is approved.
    Your account and online GED application may be approved in as little as 24 hours.
  4. Once your application is approved you can schedule to take your test on the SAFE website.

Application Expiration

Your application is valid for 120 days from the approval date. If you miss the 120 day deadline, you must submit a new application with a new payment.

Age Requirements

To take the Ohio GED® test, you must be officially withdrawn from school and be 19 years of age or older. Exceptions to the age requirement may be granted if:

You are 18 years of age –

Have the Superintendent, Community School or STEM school principal (or designee) of the school district where you last attended complete and sign the GED® Age Waiver Form. Attach the form from your online application to your confirmation page and mail it to our office. Applicants are required to submit the GED® Age Wavier Form annually (January - December). If you are not successful on the GED® test during that calendar year, you will not be required to resubmit a new Age Waiver Form with the second or third application.

Remember, you may take the GED® test three times in a calendar year.

You are 18 years of age AND your class has graduated –

Attach an Official School Transcript to your application to show that your class has graduated. If you have been sworn into active military service in one of the armed forces, attach a sworn statement to your application giving the date of the swearing-in ceremony. (Delayed entry candidates do not qualify.)

You are at least 16 years of age, but less than 18 years of age –

Have the Superintendent, Community School or STEM school principal (or designee) of the school district where you last attended complete and sign the GED® Age Waiver Form. A parent, guardian or court official must sign the GED® Parental Consent Form. Applicants are required to submit the GED® Age Wavier Form and Parental Consent Form annually (January - December). Attach the forms from your online application to your confirmation page and mail them to our office. If you are not successful on the GED® test during that calendar year, you will not be required to resubmit a new Age Waiver Form and Parental Consent Form with the second or third application.

Remember, you may take the GED® test three times in a calendar year.

 

GED Fees

Paper-based Fees in 2013

The GED application test fee for all first-time test takers for the Paper-based Test (PBT) is $40. Re-testers will be charged $10 per subject test being retaken, up to a maximum of $40.

Important: The paper-based tests will end on December 31, 2013.

Computer-based Fees

The cost of the computer-based GED test is $120.

More Questions?

Read the GED frequently asked questions.

Related

Last Modified: 6/3/2013 8:38:56 AM