To take the GED in Minnesota, you must be at least 19, or 17 with approval. It costs $36 per subject at a test center, and online testing costs $36 per subject. You do not have to live in Minnesota to test. Free or subsidized testing is available for some residents. Confirm on GED.com before you book.
Key facts
Standard age (17 with approval): 19
Test center, per subject: $36
Online, per subject: $36
Residency required: No
How much does the GED cost in Minnesota?
At a test center, the GED costs $36 per subject in Minnesota.
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, Minnesota takes $10 off your first test in each subject if you have a Minnesota address. Use promo code MNGED10. Retakes are not discounted.
More detail: A discounted in-person retake costs a $10 test center fee. Online retakes cost $36. The state mails your diploma and transcript automatically after you pass.
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 Minnesota?
The standard minimum age to take the GED in Minnesota is 19.
Younger people may be able to test from age 17 with approval.
Rules for younger test takers: At 17 or 18, if you are not enrolled in high school, apply for an age waiver before you test. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Online, a parent must attend check-in.
The minimum age to test online is 17.
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 Minnesota to take the GED?
No. You do not have to live in Minnesota to take the GED there.
There is no residency requirement. Minnesota residents can also test in North Dakota and South Dakota, but not in Wisconsin.
Can you take the GED online in Minnesota?
Yes. Online testing from home is available in Minnesota for $36 per subject.
Details: Online testing is open from age 17. 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 Minnesota?
In Minnesota: No wait after your first failed attempt, though this can vary by test center. 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 Minnesota require?
Minnesota 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.
Bring a non-expired, government-issued photo ID on test day (GED.com).
What is the GED credential called in Minnesota?
When you pass, Minnesota issues the State of Minnesota GED 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 Minnesota rules?
Check two places before you book: the Minnesota state agency and the Minnesota page on GED.com. When they disagree, ask the state agency.
GED.com calls the credential the State of Minnesota GED Diploma; the state calls it the State of Minnesota High School Equivalency Diploma.
GED.com mentions an age waiver for 17-year-olds; the state says 17- and 18-year-olds need one. We show the state's rule.
Official quotes
"You must be 19 years old to test in Minnesota." (https://www.ged.com/policies/minnesota.html)
"You must fill out and submit an Age Waiver Form if you are 17 years old and out of school." (https://www.ged.com/policies/minnesota.html)
"No, there is no residency requirement." (https://www.ged.com/policies/minnesota.html)
"Minnesota charges $36 per subject for the GED® test at a Test Center." (https://www.ged.com/policies/minnesota.html)
"Minnesota charges $36 per subject test for the GED® test via Online." (https://www.ged.com/policies/minnesota.html)
"The state of Minnesota will provide a $10 discount for your first GED test in each subject while funding lasts. Use promo code MNGED10 at checkout." (https://www.ged.com/policies/minnesota.html)
"*In Minnesota, there is a $10 test center fee for GED® test retakes." (https://www.ged.com/policies/minnesota.html)
"The Online Proctored Exam costs $36 for a retake in Minnesota." (https://www.ged.com/policies/minnesota.html)
"In Minnesota, there is no waiting period if you do not pass a subject area test the first time (this may vary based on testing center)." (https://www.ged.com/policies/minnesota.html)
"Yes, you are required to take the GED Ready ® practice test before taking the official GED ® test online." (https://www.ged.com/policies/minnesota.html)
"In Minnesota the credential is called the State of Minnesota GED ® Diploma." (https://www.ged.com/policies/minnesota.html)
"If you are 19 years old, do not already have a recognized and documented high school diploma, and are not currently enrolled in high school, you are eligible to take a High School Equivalency test battery in Minnesota without an age waiver." (https://education.mn.gov/MDE/fam/abe/ged/)
"If you are 17 or 18 years old and are not currently enrolled in high school, you must apply for an age waiver before testing." (https://education.mn.gov/MDE/fam/abe/ged/)
"you will need to bring a valid, current government-issued photo ID to the testing site." (https://education.mn.gov/MDE/fam/abe/ged/)
"HSE testers in Minnesota can get a discount the first time they take each subject test (a total of $40 off the full battery). The code for GED testers is MNGED10" (https://education.mn.gov/MDE/fam/abe/ged/)
"This code applies to any eligible tester with a Minnesota address" (https://education.mn.gov/MDE/fam/abe/ged/)
"If a student does not pass or does not show up for testing, they will not receive the subsidy for the retake tests" (https://education.mn.gov/MDE/fam/abe/ged/)
"may be able to earn a state of Minnesota High School Equivalency Diploma by passing the GED or HiSET tests." (https://education.mn.gov/MDE/fam/abe/ged/)
"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/minnesota.html)
"The Online Proctored Exam allows for one retake before a 60 day waiting period." (https://www.ged.com/policies/minnesota.html)
"There’s no limit to how many times you can test in a year." (https://www.ged.com/policies/minnesota.html)
"the Minnesota Department of Education will automatically send you a diploma and transcript" (https://education.mn.gov/MDE/fam/abe/ged/)
"schedules testing via online proctored or at an approved Minnesota or border state's testing center." (https://education.mn.gov/MDE/fam/abe/ged/)
Questions and answers
How much does the GED cost in Minnesota? It costs $36 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 Minnesota? The standard minimum age is 19. People as young as 17 may test with approval, such as a waiver and parent consent.
Can I take the GED online in Minnesota? 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 Minnesota to take the GED? No. Minnesota 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 Minnesota? Yes, for some residents. While funding lasts, Minnesota takes $10 off your first test in each subject if you have a Minnesota address. Use promo code MNGED10. Retakes are not discounted. Programs have conditions and funding can run out, so confirm before you book.
What happens if I fail a GED subject in Minnesota? You only retake the subject you did not pass. No wait after your first failed attempt, though this can vary by test center. 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.