To take the GED in Alabama, you must be at least 18, or 16 with approval. It costs $36 per subject at a test center, and online testing costs $36 per subject where allowed. You do not have to live in Alabama to test. Free or subsidized testing is available for some residents. Confirm on GED.com before you book.
Key facts
Standard age (16 with approval): 18
Test center, per subject: $36
Online, per subject (limited): $36
Residency required: No
How much does the GED cost in Alabama?
At a test center, the GED costs $36 per subject in Alabama, or $144 for all four subjects.
Online, it costs $36 per subject.
A discounted retake at a test center costs $10 per subject.
Free or subsidized testing: yes, for some residents. Through the state's See4Free program, you can take a GED Ready practice test for free. If you pass it, the state pays for you to take the real test.
More detail: The state lists $144 for all four subjects. A discounted in-person retake costs a $10 test center fee. Online retakes cost $36.
At US test centers, GED Testing Service waives its fee on retakes of a failed subject (up to two discounted retakes, used within 12 months). State and test-center fees may still apply. Online retakes are not discounted.
How old do you have to be to take the GED in Alabama?
The standard minimum age to take the GED in Alabama is 18.
Younger people may be able to test from age 16 with approval.
Rules for younger test takers: At 16 or 17 you need a state age waiver. At 17 you need a Student Exit Interview or a notarized parent letter. At 16 you also need a Certificate of Exemption from your school district. At 18 and older there are no special requirements.
The minimum age to test online is 16.
Nationally, GED Testing Service says test takers must be at least 16 and not enrolled in an accredited high school. Each state adds its own rules.
If you are under 18 and test online, a parent or guardian must be with you at check-in (GED Testing Service policy).
Do you have to live in Alabama to take the GED?
No. You do not have to live in Alabama to take the GED there.
If you are 18 or older and test in person, you do not need to live in Alabama. Test-takers aged 16 or 17, and anyone testing online, must be Alabama residents.
Can you take the GED online in Alabama?
Online testing in Alabama is limited. GED.com says restrictions may apply, so check your GED.com account before you plan on it.
Details: Online testing is limited, and you must live in Alabama to test online. You need a green GED Ready score before you schedule.
Some students who test at home say working math on an on-screen whiteboard feels slow, so some choose a test center for Math. Practice your scratch work on screen if you plan to test online.
To test online, GED.com requires:
A computer with a webcam and reliable internet.
A "green" GED Ready score (Likely to Pass) within the last 60 days, for each subject you want to test online.
A private room with a closed door, and a government-issued photo ID.
You must be in the United States while you test.
What are the GED retake rules in Alabama?
In Alabama: In person, no wait for your first two retakes; after three attempts, wait 60 days. Online, you get one retake before a 60-day wait.
The national rule from GED Testing Service: at a test center, you can retake a subject you did not pass two times with no waiting period. After a third or later attempt, you wait 60 days. Online, you get one retake before a 60-day wait. State rules can be stricter, and they come first.
If you miss by a few points, you keep the subjects you passed and retake only the one you missed. Review the topics from your score report before you book again.
What else does Alabama require?
Alabama does not require GED Ready to book at a test center. You do need a green GED Ready score to test online. Taking it anyway is a good way to check that you are ready.
Register online at GED.com; on-site registration is not available.
Bring a non-expired, government-issued photo ID on test day (GED.com).
What is the GED credential called in Alabama?
When you pass, Alabama issues the State of Alabama High School Equivalency Diploma.
To pass, you need a score of 145 or higher on each of the four subjects: Math, Reasoning Through Language Arts, Science and Social Studies (GED.com).
Where can you check the official Alabama rules?
Check two places before you book: the Alabama state agency and the Alabama page on GED.com. When they disagree, ask the state agency.
One state page lists $120 ($30 per section); GED.com and the state's FAQ page list $36 per subject ($144). We show $36.
Official quotes
"Alabama charges $36 per subject for the GED test at a Test Center" (https://www.ged.com/policies/alabama.html)
"Alabama charges $36 per subject for the GED test via Online" (https://www.ged.com/policies/alabama.html)
"Or you can take the test online from home for $144" (https://www.ged.com/policies/alabama.html)
"In Alabama the credential is called the State of Alabama High School Equivalency Diploma" (https://www.ged.com/policies/alabama.html)
"All 16- and 17-year-olds must be Alabama residents" (https://www.ged.com/policies/alabama.html)
"Also, anyone testing online must be a resident of Alabama" (https://www.ged.com/policies/alabama.html)
"(145 or higher) on a GED Ready" (https://www.ged.com/policies/alabama.html)
"In Alabama, there is a $10 test center fee for GED" (https://www.ged.com/policies/alabama.html)
"The Online Proctored Exam costs $36 for a retake in Alabama" (https://www.ged.com/policies/alabama.html)
"you will automatically receive one free electronic diploma, one free electronic transcript" (https://www.ged.com/policies/alabama.html)
"The GED test costs $144 ($36 per subject)" (https://www.accs.edu/adulteducation/faqs/)
"This retake offer (1 full price:1 discount) repeats until you pass the test." (https://www.ged.com/policies/alabama.html)
"If you pass, then we" (https://www.accs.edu/adult-education/ged/)
"ACCS has the See4Free program that allows you to take a GED Ready practice test for free" (https://www.accs.edu/adult-education/ged/)
"Students age 17 must be an Alabama resident, must have a completed a Student Exit Interview or have a notarized letter from a parent or legal guardian" (https://www.accs.edu/adult-education/ged/)
"Students age 16 must have a Certificate of Exemption issued by the school district" (https://www.accs.edu/adult-education/ged/)
"On-site registration is not available" (https://www.accs.edu/adult-education/ged/)
"it may not offer the HiSET" (https://hiset.org/get-started/state-requirements/)
"ACCS has the See4Free program that allows you to take a GED Ready practice test for free. If you pass, then we’ll pay for you to take the real thing." (https://www.accs.edu/adult-education/ged/)
"(Examinees 18 and older do not have to meet special requirements.)" (https://www.ged.com/policies/alabama.html)
"The GED test costs $120 ($30 per section)" (https://www.accs.edu/adult-education/ged/)
"After taking a test subject three times, you’ll have to wait 60 days before retesting." (https://www.ged.com/policies/alabama.html)
"Online Proctored Exam allows for one retake before a" (https://www.ged.com/policies/alabama.html)
Questions and answers
How much does the GED cost in Alabama? It costs $36 per subject at a test center ($144 for all four). Online it costs $36 per subject. These are official fees checked October 26, 2026. Confirm on GED.com before you book.
How old do you have to be to take the GED in Alabama? The standard minimum age is 18. People as young as 16 may test with approval, such as a waiver and parent consent.
Can I take the GED online in Alabama? Online testing is limited in Alabama, and restrictions may apply. Check your GED.com account. Where it is allowed, you need a webcam, reliable internet and a green GED Ready score within 60 days.
Do I have to live in Alabama to take the GED? No. Alabama does not require residency to take the GED. Check the residency section for any conditions on the credential.
Can I take the GED for free in Alabama? Yes, for some residents. Through the state's See4Free program, you can take a GED Ready practice test for free. If you pass it, the state pays for you to take the real test. Programs have conditions and funding can run out, so confirm before you book.
What happens if I fail a GED subject in Alabama? You only retake the subject you did not pass. In person, no wait for your first two retakes; after three attempts, wait 60 days. Online, you get one retake before a 60-day wait.
Data notes
Rules and fees change. Always confirm on GED.com and with your state agency before you book. We checked this data on October 26, 2026.
How we collected it: Each state's GED Testing Service policy page and GED.com's online-testing table, cross-checked against the state education or adult-education agency. Every value is backed by a quote saved from an official page. Where sources disagree, the conflict is listed in plain words with the value we show. Official test fees only; confirm on GED.com before you book.
Next steps
Find your starting point with the free 32-question GEDPilot diagnostic.
Build a week-by-week plan around your job, family and test date.
Try the free sample lesson on number sense, the base for GED Math.
Take GED Ready, the official practice test, and aim for green (145 or higher) before you book.
Plan test day: your ID, arrival time, and test center or online.
Independent preparation materials. Not affiliated with or endorsed by ACE or GED Testing Service. GED is a registered trademark owned by ACE. Practice results do not predict an official GED score, and GEDPilot does not guarantee a passing score.