GED requirements in the District of Columbia (2026)
To take the GED in the District of Columbia, you must be at least 18, or 16 with approval. It costs $3.75 per subject at a test center, and online testing costs $36 per subject. You must live in the District of Columbia to test there. Confirm on GED.com before you book.
Key facts
Standard age (16 with approval): 18
Test center, per subject: $3.75
Online, per subject: $36
Residency required: Yes
How much does the GED cost in the District of Columbia?
At a test center, the GED costs $3.75 per subject in the District of Columbia.
Online, it costs $36 per subject.
A discounted retake at a test center has no extra fee.
Free or subsidized testing: yes, for some residents. DC pays $36 of your first attempt at each subject at a test center. Enter code DCSAVE36 at checkout to pay $3.75. The code works four times in total.
More detail: $3.75 is the first-attempt price at a test center with the DC code. Online tests and online retakes cost $36. DC adds no fee to a discounted in-person retake.
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 the District of Columbia?
The standard minimum age to take the GED in the District of Columbia 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 an approved age waiver. Send a consent letter from a parent, guardian or caregiver plus one qualifying document, such as a DC ReEngagement Center letter. Online, a parent must attend check-in.
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 the District of Columbia to take the GED?
Yes. You need to live in the District of Columbia to take the GED there.
You must live in DC, be enrolled in Job Corps, or be court-ordered to test. Send proof of identity and DC residency to the GED Program Office for review.
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 the District of Columbia?
Yes. Online testing from home is available in the District of Columbia for $36 per subject.
Details: Online testing is open to test-takers 18 and older. Online tests cost $36 per subject.
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 the District of Columbia?
In the District of Columbia: Wait 30 days before each of your first two retakes. After three attempts, wait 60 days before each retake. Before a retake you also need a GED Ready score of Likely to Pass or Too Close to Call in that subject.
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 the District of Columbia require?
The District of Columbia requires a GED Ready practice test score before you book at a test center.
Before your first test, score Likely to Pass or Too Close to Call on GED Ready, or get a letter from a prep program saying you are ready. You cannot mix English and Spanish subject tests.
Bring a non-expired, government-issued photo ID on test day (GED.com).
What is the GED credential called in the District of Columbia?
When you pass, the District of Columbia issues the District of Columbia State 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 DC rules?
Check two places before you book: the DC state agency and the DC page on GED.com. When they disagree, ask the state agency.
"You must be 18 years old to test in the District of Columbia." (https://www.ged.com/policies/district-of-columbia.html)
"you can be 16 or 17 and take the GED ® test if you apply for and receive an age waiver." (https://www.ged.com/policies/district-of-columbia.html)
"Yes, to take the GED ® test in the District of Columbia you’re required to be a resident, enrolled in Job Corps, or court-ordered to test." (https://www.ged.com/policies/district-of-columbia.html)
"Yes, you are required to take the GED Ready ® practice test and score “Likely to Pass” or “Too Close to Call” before taking the official test." (https://www.ged.com/policies/district-of-columbia.html)
"DC subsidizes $36 for the first attempt of each module at a test center; the promo code may be used a total of four times." (https://www.ged.com/policies/district-of-columbia.html)
"DC charges $3.75 for the first attempt of each GED® test taken at a test center." (https://www.ged.com/policies/district-of-columbia.html)
"The District of Columbia charges $36 per subject for the GED ® test taken online" (https://www.ged.com/policies/district-of-columbia.html)
"In the District of Columbia, there is waiting period of 30 days for the first 2 retakes of any subject." (https://www.ged.com/policies/district-of-columbia.html)
"In addition to the waiting period, you are required to take the GED Ready ® and score “likely to pass” or “too close to call” in the subject you are seeking to retake." (https://www.ged.com/policies/district-of-columbia.html)
"In the District of Columbia, the credential is called the District of Columbia State Diploma." (https://www.ged.com/policies/district-of-columbia.html)
"District of Columbia YES YES 18+ DISCOUNTED" (https://www.ged.com/state-information-online-testing.html)
"Submit required proof of identity and DC residency to the GEDPO for review." (https://osse.dc.gov/service/ged-tests)
"OSSE shall allow 16- and 17-year-old DC residents to take the GED® test if the applicant meets all other eligibility requirements" (https://osse.dc.gov/page/updated-ged-age-waiver-policy)
"Or, if you are first time student a preparation program may provide you with a letter of endorsement" (https://www.ged.com/policies/district-of-columbia.html)
"A parent or guardian must be present at the pre-test check-in to give consent and authorize the underage tester to be recorded during testing." (https://www.ged.com/policies/district-of-columbia.html)
"*District of Columbia does not charge an additional fee." (https://www.ged.com/policies/district-of-columbia.html)
"The Online Proctored Exam costs $36 for a retake in the District of Columbia." (https://www.ged.com/policies/district-of-columbia.html)
"After passing the GED ® test, you will automatically receive one free electronic diploma, one free electronic transcript." (https://www.ged.com/policies/district-of-columbia.html)
"however, you cannot combine two different languages to earn your credential." (https://www.ged.com/policies/district-of-columbia.html)
"can provide a letter of consent to test from the parent, legal guardian, or other primary caregiver AND one of the following forms of documentation:" (https://osse.dc.gov/page/updated-ged-age-waiver-policy)
"A letter from the DC ReEngagement Center affirming the candidates’ eligibility to sit for the GED® tests;" (https://osse.dc.gov/page/updated-ged-age-waiver-policy)
"After taking a test subject 3 three times, you’ll have to wait 60 calendar days before each retake." (https://www.ged.com/policies/district-of-columbia.html)
"NOTE: You must apply the Discount Code DCSAVE36 at checkout in order to pay $3.75 for the first attempt." (https://www.ged.com/policies/district-of-columbia.html)
Questions and answers
How much does the GED cost in the District of Columbia? It costs $3.75 per subject at a test center. 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 the District of Columbia? 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 the District of Columbia? 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 the District of Columbia to take the GED? Yes. You must be a DC resident to test there. Bring proof of where you live if your ID does not show it.
Can I take the GED for free in the District of Columbia? Yes, for some residents. DC pays $36 of your first attempt at each subject at a test center. Enter code DCSAVE36 at checkout to pay $3.75. The code works four times in total. Programs have conditions and funding can run out, so confirm before you book.
What happens if I fail a GED subject in the District of Columbia? You only retake the subject you did not pass. Wait 30 days before each of your first two retakes. After three attempts, wait 60 days before each retake. Before a retake you also need a GED Ready score of Likely to Pass or Too Close to Call in that subject.
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.