To take the GED in Massachusetts, you must be at least 18, or 16 with approval. It costs $36 per subject at a test center, and online testing is limited. You must live in Massachusetts 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 (limited): Limited
Residency required: Yes
How much does the GED cost in Massachusetts?
At a test center, the GED costs $36 per subject in Massachusetts.
A discounted retake at a test center costs $10 per subject.
Free or subsidized testing: yes, for some residents. While funding lasts, Massachusetts pays for your first test in each subject plus two retakes. Use code MAFREEGED1 for a first test or second retake, and MARETAKE for a first retake.
More detail: The list price is $36 per subject, but the state covers your first three attempts. After that, your fourth attempt costs $10 and your fifth costs $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 Massachusetts?
The standard minimum age to take the GED in Massachusetts is 18.
Younger people may be able to test from age 16 with approval.
Rules for younger test takers: At 16 or 17 you cannot schedule a test until the state approves a Letter of Withdrawal from your last school. Email it to HSET@mass.gov. Home-schooled students can use a superintendent's permission letter or a district non-attendance letter.
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 Massachusetts to take the GED?
Yes. You need to live in Massachusetts to take the GED there.
You must live at a Massachusetts address, the same one you used for your GED account. Bring a valid photo ID to every test session.
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 Massachusetts?
Online testing in Massachusetts is limited. GED.com says restrictions may apply, so check your GED.com account before you plan on it.
Details: Since July 10, 2026, online GED testing is paused in Massachusetts unless it is approved as a disability accommodation. Plan to test at a test center.
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 Massachusetts?
In Massachusetts: No wait for your first two retakes. After three attempts, wait 60 days. There is no yearly limit.
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 Massachusetts require?
Massachusetts 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.
You must not be enrolled in school or already hold a high school diploma or equivalency credential. You can combine GED and HiSET subject scores toward your credential.
Bring a non-expired, government-issued photo ID on test day (GED.com).
What is the GED credential called in Massachusetts?
When you pass, Massachusetts issues the Massachusetts High School Equivalency Credential.
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 Massachusetts rules?
Check two places before you book: the Massachusetts state agency and the Massachusetts page on GED.com. When they disagree, ask the state agency.
GED.com lists online testing in Massachusetts as limited; the state says it is paused except as an approved disability accommodation. We show the state's rule.
Official quotes
"In Massachusetts, you must be 18 years of age or older to take the GED ® test." (https://www.ged.com/policies/massachusetts.html)
"If you are 16 or 17 years old, you cannot schedule any GED ® test until an official Letter of Withdrawal from the last school you attended has been approved by the Massachusetts High School Equivalency Office." (https://www.ged.com/policies/massachusetts.html)
"In order to take the GED® test in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you must be living at a Massachusetts address, the same address you used to register and create your account." (https://www.ged.com/policies/massachusetts.html)
"Massachusetts charges $36 per subject for the GED® test at a Test Center." (https://www.ged.com/policies/massachusetts.html)
"will pay for your first GED test in each subject and two retakes for each subject while funding lasts." (https://www.ged.com/policies/massachusetts.html)
"In Massachusetts, there is no waiting period for your first two retakes. After taking a test subject 3 times, you’ll have to wait 60 days before retesting." (https://www.ged.com/policies/massachusetts.html)
"Each document will cost $15, payable by credit card or debit card." (https://www.ged.com/policies/massachusetts.html)
"To take the GED ® test in Massachusetts you cannot be enrolled in any secondary school program nor can you have previously received a high school diploma or high school equivalency credential." (https://www.ged.com/policies/massachusetts.html)
"In Massachusetts the credential is called the High School Equivalency Credential." (https://www.ged.com/policies/massachusetts.html)
"In order to earn the credential, you must take and pass one of two assessments tests, either the GED" (https://www.doe.mass.edu/hse/generalinfo.html)
"Effective July 10, 2026, GED" (https://www.doe.mass.edu/hse/generalinfo.html)
"testing is paused in Massachusetts, except when approved as a disability accommodation." (https://www.doe.mass.edu/hse/generalinfo.html)
"the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will pay for a candidate's first General Educational Development GED" (https://www.doe.mass.edu/hse/)
"The first two retests for each subject are covered by the state. The candidate pays $36.00 per retest after two failed retests." (https://www.doe.mass.edu/hse/generalinfo.html)
"Candidates, who are 16 or 17 years of age, cannot schedule any tests until an official Letter of Withdrawal from the last school attended has been approved by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)." (https://www.doe.mass.edu/hse/under18.html)
"Effective November 23, 2022, Massachusetts High School Equivalency candidates will be able to combine General Educational Development GED" (https://www.doe.mass.edu/hse/)
"Free General Educational Development GED" (https://www.doe.mass.edu/hse/)
"Testing for Massachusetts MA Residents Starting September 12, 2022" (https://www.doe.mass.edu/hse/)
"Effective February 12, 2022, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will pay for a candidate's first General Educational Development GED" (https://www.doe.mass.edu/hse/)
"Effective February 6, 2023, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will pay for a candidate's first High School Equivalency Test HiSET" (https://www.doe.mass.edu/hse/)
"A letter from your district superintendent giving you permission to home school." (https://www.doe.mass.edu/hse/under18.html)
"A letter of non-attendance from the district of your residence (high school in your area) or" (https://www.doe.mass.edu/hse/under18.html)
"Must be signed by the Principal/Headmaster or the Head of Guidance." (https://www.ged.com/policies/massachusetts.html)
"You may submit your letter by email to HSET@mass.gov ." (https://www.ged.com/policies/massachusetts.html)
"A valid driver’s license from any state" (https://www.ged.com/policies/massachusetts.html)
"plus two retakes per subject per lifetime" (https://www.doe.mass.edu/hse/)
"A valid Passport" (https://www.ged.com/policies/massachusetts.html)
"Military ID card" (https://www.ged.com/policies/massachusetts.html)
"First test in a subject: MAFREEGED1" (https://www.ged.com/policies/massachusetts.html)
Questions and answers
How much does the GED cost in Massachusetts? It costs $36 per subject at a test center. 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 Massachusetts? 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 Massachusetts? Online testing is limited in Massachusetts, 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 Massachusetts to take the GED? Yes. You must be a Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts? Yes, for some residents. While funding lasts, Massachusetts pays for your first test in each subject plus two retakes. Use code MAFREEGED1 for a first test or second retake, and MARETAKE for a first retake. Programs have conditions and funding can run out, so confirm before you book.
What happens if I fail a GED subject in Massachusetts? You only retake the subject you did not pass. No wait for your first two retakes. After three attempts, wait 60 days. There is no yearly limit.
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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