To take the GED in Illinois, 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. You must live in Illinois to test there. 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: $36
Residency required: Yes
How much does the GED cost in Illinois?
At a test center, the GED costs $36 per subject in Illinois, 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. While funding lasts, Illinois takes up to $26 off each subject. Enter the promo code shown on GED.com at checkout.
More detail: The state lists $144 for all four subjects before the discount. A discounted in-person retake costs a $10 test center fee. Online retakes cost $36. Prep classes are free at local adult education programs.
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 Illinois?
The standard minimum age to take the GED in Illinois is 18.
Younger people may be able to test from age 16 with approval.
Rules for younger test takers: At 17 you can test after you send a withdrawal letter from your last school. At 16 you can test only through a Regional Safe Schools, Alternative Learning Opportunities or Lincoln's Challenge Academy program. Online, a parent must attend check-in.
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.
Do you have to live in Illinois to take the GED?
Yes. You need to live in Illinois to take the GED there.
You must have lived in Illinois for at least 30 days. If your photo ID lacks a current Illinois address, bring proof of residency dated at least 30 days before your test.
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 Illinois?
Yes. Online testing from home is available in Illinois for $36 per subject.
Details: Online testing is open from age 16. You need a green GED Ready score within the last 60 days for each subject you take online.
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 Illinois?
In Illinois: In person, no wait after your first failed attempt; 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 Illinois require?
Illinois 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.
To receive your Illinois High School Diploma, you must also complete the Illinois Constitution requirement.
Bring a non-expired, government-issued photo ID on test day (GED.com).
What is the GED credential called in Illinois?
When you pass, Illinois issues the Illinois High School 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 Illinois rules?
Check two places before you book: the Illinois state agency and the Illinois page on GED.com. When they disagree, ask the state agency.
One state page lists $30 per subject in person; GED.com and another state page list $36. We show $36.
GED.com and the state list different promo codes for the $26 discount. Use the code shown at checkout.
GED.com lists a $10 test center fee for a discounted retake; the state says one retake is free. Check the price when you book.
Official quotes
"You are required to be 18 years old to take the GED ® test in Illinois." (https://www.ged.com/policies/illinois.html)
"You can be 17 and take the GED ® test if you provide a withdrawal letter from the last school attended." (https://www.ged.com/policies/illinois.html)
"16 year olds are not eligible to take the GED ® test unless currently enrolled in a Regional Safe Schools Program, an Alternative Learning Opportunities Program, or the Lincoln’s Challenge Academy." (https://www.ged.com/policies/illinois.html)
"Yes, in Illinois you’re required to be a resident for 30 days or more." (https://www.ged.com/policies/illinois.html)
"If that photo ID does not have a current Illinois address, you will also need to provide proof of residency." (https://www.ged.com/policies/illinois.html)
"In Illinois, GED® test takers are required to complete an Illinois Constitution Module in addition to their GED® exam." (https://www.ged.com/policies/illinois.html)
"Illinois charges $36 per subject for the GED® test at a Test Center." (https://www.ged.com/policies/illinois.html)
"Illinois charges $36 per subject for the GED® test via Online." (https://www.ged.com/policies/illinois.html)
"The Illinois Community College Board is giving $26 off your GED test for each subject while funding lasts. Use promo code ILSAVE2026 at checkout." (https://www.ged.com/policies/illinois.html)
"*In Illinois, there is a $10 test center fee for GED® test retakes." (https://www.ged.com/policies/illinois.html)
"The Online Proctored Exam costs $36 for a retake in Illinois." (https://www.ged.com/policies/illinois.html)
"In Illinois, there is no waiting period if you do not pass a subject area test the first time. After taking a test subject 3 times, you’ll have to wait 60 days before retesting." (https://www.ged.com/policies/illinois.html)
"Yes, you are required to take the GED Ready ® practice test before taking the official GED ® test online." (https://www.ged.com/policies/illinois.html)
"In Illinois the credential is called the Illinois High School Diploma." (https://www.ged.com/policies/illinois.html)
"If you choose to take the GED in Illinois at a testing center, it will only cost you $40." (https://www.ged.com/policies/illinois.html)
"If you’re 16 years old, you’ll need permission from your parents and local school board before you can take the GED test." (https://www.ged.com/policies/illinois.html)
"Candidates may choose to take a high school equivalency exam (GED® or HiSET®), and complete their Illinois State Constitution requirement." (https://www.iccb.org/illinois-hse/students-and-test-takers/)
"The cost to take the computer-based, in-person GED® is $30 per test module." (https://www.iccb.org/illinois-hse/students-and-test-takers/)
"The cost to take the online GED® is $36 per test module." (https://www.iccb.org/illinois-hse/students-and-test-takers/)
"high school equivalency candidates must be a current Illinois resident in order to take a high school equivalency exam in the State of Illinois." (https://www.iccb.org/illinois-hse/students-and-test-takers/)
"complete the GED Ready® practice test and score ‘green’ within the last 60 days prior to the test date for each subject they want to take online." (https://www.iccb.org/illinois-hse/students-and-test-takers/)
"The GED® exam is $144.00 for the full battery of testing, which is $36 per test module. Test-takers who do not pass any of the modules are eligible for one retake at no cost." (https://www.iccb.org/high-school-equivalency-testing/)
"test takers can use the ILSAVE27 discount code at check out to reduce the cost of each module by up to $26." (https://www.iccb.org/high-school-equivalency-testing/)
"Note: If an individual is 17 years old, they must present withdrawal documentation to be approved for testing." (https://www.iccb.org/high-school-equivalency-testing/)
"HSE test preparation classes are offered free of charge at local adult education programs." (https://www.iccb.org/high-school-equivalency-testing/)
"Withdrawal letters should 1) be on school letterhead, 2) be physically or digitally signed by a school official" (https://www.iccb.org/illinois-hse/students-and-test-takers/)
"Test takers must create a GED® account on ged.com before submitting their withdrawal letter." (https://www.iccb.org/illinois-hse/students-and-test-takers/)
"Test takers will be required to certify their residency at the Illinois address they provide during registration is true and accurate during registration for online testing." (https://www.iccb.org/illinois-hse/students-and-test-takers/)
"must be dated at least 30 days prior to the test date" (https://www.iccb.org/illinois-hse/students-and-test-takers/)
"Your parent/guardian must be present at the pre-test check in to give consent and authorize underage tester to be recorded during testing." (https://www.ged.com/policies/illinois.html)
"The Online Proctored Exam allows for one retake before a 60 day waiting period." (https://www.ged.com/policies/illinois.html)
"There’s no limit to how many times you can test in a year." (https://www.ged.com/policies/illinois.html)
Questions and answers
How much does the GED cost in Illinois? 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 Illinois? 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 Illinois? 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 Illinois to take the GED? Yes. You must be a Illinois 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 Illinois? Yes, for some residents. While funding lasts, Illinois takes up to $26 off each subject. Enter the promo code shown on GED.com at checkout. Programs have conditions and funding can run out, so confirm before you book.
What happens if I fail a GED subject in Illinois? You only retake the subject you did not pass. In person, no wait after your first failed attempt; 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.
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