To take the GED in California, you must be at least 18, or 17 with approval. It costs $41 per subject at a test center, and online testing costs $41 per subject. You must live in California to test there. Confirm on GED.com before you book.
Key facts
Standard age (17 with approval): 18
Test center, per subject: $41
Online, per subject: $41
Residency required: Yes
How much does the GED cost in California?
At a test center, the GED costs $41 per subject in California.
Online, it costs $41 per subject.
A discounted retake at a test center costs $15 per subject.
We did not find a state program that pays the test fee.
More detail: A discounted in-person retake costs a $15 test center fee. Online retakes cost $41. If you cannot prove residency on test day, you cannot test and you lose the fee.
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 California?
The standard minimum age to take the GED in California is 18.
Younger people may be able to test from age 17 with approval.
Rules for younger test takers: Under 18, you can test if you are within 60 days of your 18th birthday or of your class's graduation. At 17 you can also test after 60 days out of school with a letter from the military, a college or an employer.
The minimum age to test online is 18.
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.
Do you have to live in California to take the GED?
Yes. You need to live in California to take the GED there.
You must be a California resident or a service member assigned to duty in California. If your ID does not show a California address, bring proof such as a lease, utility bill or the state residency declaration.
Where a state requires residency, GED Testing Service asks you to self-certify that you live there before you schedule. The state may check further.
Can you take the GED online in California?
Yes. Online testing from home is available in California for $41 per subject.
Details: Online testing is available if you meet California's rules. You need a green GED Ready score within the last 60 days. Under 18, you need an approved state waiver and a parent at check-in.
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 California?
In California: 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 California require?
California 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.
Prep-program diplomas or certificates are not official California equivalency credentials. Only the state certificate counts.
Bring a non-expired, government-issued photo ID on test day (GED.com).
What is the GED credential called in California?
When you pass, California issues the California High School Equivalency Certificate.
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 California rules?
Check two places before you book: the California state agency and the California page on GED.com. When they disagree, ask the state agency.
GED.com's online testing table lists age 18 and older; its California page says test-takers under 18 with an approved state waiver may test online.
Official quotes
"The minimum age requirement to take the GED® test is 18 unless you meet any one of the additional requirements." (https://www.ged.com/policies/california.html)
"You must be within 60 days of your 18 th birthday (regardless of school enrollment status)." (https://www.ged.com/policies/california.html)
"You are 17 years of age; have been out of school for at least 60 consecutive days; and provide a letter of request for the test from the military, a postsecondary educational institution, or a prospective employer." (https://www.ged.com/policies/california.html)
"Online testing is available in California for any test-taker who meets the eligibility requirements for California." (https://www.ged.com/policies/california.html)
"A test taker under the age of 18, with an approved waiver from the California Department of Education due to additional requirements may be eligible to test." (https://www.ged.com/policies/california.html)
"In California you are required to be a resident, as defined in Government Code section 233, or a member of the armed services assigned to duty in California." (https://www.ged.com/policies/california.html)
"If you do not provide documentation to prove that you are a resident, you will not be allowed to test and will lose the testing fee that was paid." (https://www.ged.com/policies/california.html)
"Yes, you are required to take the GED Ready® practice test before taking the official GED® test online." (https://www.ged.com/policies/california.html)
"California charges $41 per subject for the GED® test at a Test Center." (https://www.ged.com/policies/california.html)
"California charges $41 per subject for the GED® test via Online." (https://www.ged.com/policies/california.html)
"In California, there is no waiting period for your first two retakes. After taking a test subject 3 times, you will have to wait 60 days before retesting." (https://www.ged.com/policies/california.html)
"* In California, there is a $15 test center fee for GED® test retakes." (https://www.ged.com/policies/california.html)
"The Online Proctored Exam costs $41 for a retake in California. Discounted retakes are not offered on the Online Proctored Exam." (https://www.ged.com/policies/california.html)
"The California High School Equivalency Certificate." (https://www.ged.com/policies/california.html)
"Before you can schedule an online test, you must score "Green" on the GED Ready practice test within the last 60 days." (https://www.ged.com/state-information-online-testing.html)
"California has approved the use of two high school equivalency tests (GED® and HiSET®) for students 18 years old and older, and 17 years old in some instances, for the purpose of receiving a California High School Equivalency Certificate." (https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/gd/)
"HiSET "At-Home" testing and GED Online Proctoring has been developed by both GED® and HiSET®." (https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/gd/)
"these documents ARE NOT official California high school equivalency credentials." (https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/gd/)
"The Online Proctored Exam allows for one retake before a 60-day waiting period." (https://www.ged.com/policies/california.html)
"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. … GED Testing Service waives its $26 testing fee" (https://www.ged.com/policies/california.html)
"Current deed or title to residential real property" (https://www.ged.com/policies/california.html)
"Current California certificate of vehicle or vessel title or registration" (https://www.ged.com/policies/california.html)
"Completion of the California High School Equivalency Declaration of California Residency" (https://www.ged.com/policies/california.html)
"Photographic identification card, with a signature, issued by any of the US Armed Forces, any US state, or any foreign government" (https://www.ged.com/policies/california.html)
"Yes, in California you can test in English or Spanish and you can combine tests from different languages to earn your credential." (https://www.ged.com/policies/california.html)
Questions and answers
How much does the GED cost in California? It costs $41 per subject at a test center. Online it costs $41 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 California? The standard minimum age is 18. People as young as 17 may test with approval, such as a waiver and parent consent.
Can I take the GED online in California? Yes. You need a computer with a webcam, reliable internet, a private room and a green GED Ready score within the last 60 days for each subject.
Do I have to live in California to take the GED? Yes. You must be a California resident to test there. Bring proof of where you live if your ID does not show it.
What happens if I fail a GED subject in California? 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.