To take the GED in New Mexico, 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 do not have to live in New Mexico to test. 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: No
How much does the GED cost in New Mexico?
At a test center, the GED costs $36 per subject in New Mexico.
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. New Mexico residents can test free through the state subsidy. For each subject, first score 145 or higher on GED Ready within 60 days of scheduling. Your voucher codes appear in your GED.com account.
More detail: Without the subsidy, each subject costs $36. A discounted in-person retake costs a $10 test center fee; online retakes cost $36. Your first set of credential documents is free.
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 New Mexico?
The standard minimum age to take the GED in New Mexico is 18.
Younger people may be able to test from age 16 with approval.
Rules for younger test takers: At 16 or 17, a parent or guardian must complete an Underage Permission Form and send it to adult.education@hed.nm.gov. 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 New Mexico to take the GED?
No. You do not have to live in New Mexico to take the GED there.
There is no residency requirement to test, but the free testing subsidy is for New Mexico residents.
Can you take the GED online in New Mexico?
Yes. Online testing from home is available in New Mexico for $36 per subject.
Details: Online testing is open from age 16. You need a green GED Ready score within the last 60 days 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 New Mexico?
In New Mexico: No wait after your first failed attempt. After three attempts, wait 60 days. A free retake also needs a new GED Ready score of 145 or higher within 60 days.
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 New Mexico require?
New Mexico 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.
There is no time limit to finish all four subjects. New Mexico also offers the National External Diploma Program as another route.
Bring a non-expired, government-issued photo ID on test day (GED.com).
What is the GED credential called in New Mexico?
When you pass, New Mexico issues the New Mexico 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 New Mexico rules?
Check two places before you book: the New Mexico state agency and the New Mexico page on GED.com. When they disagree, ask the state agency.
GED.com says 16- and 17-year-olds need consent from their school district and parents; the state mentions only a parent's Underage Permission Form. Ask the state adult education office which forms you need.
Official quotes
"You must be 18 years old to test in New Mexico." (https://www.ged.com/policies/new-mexico.html)
"You can be 16 or 17 years old and take the GED® test if you submit a permission form with consent from your local school district, as well as from your parents or guardians." (https://www.ged.com/policies/new-mexico.html)
"No, there is no residency requirement to take the test in New Mexico." (https://www.ged.com/policies/new-mexico.html)
"Yes, you are required to take the GED Ready® practice test before taking the official GED® test online." (https://www.ged.com/policies/new-mexico.html)
"No, there is no time limit to complete all modules." (https://www.ged.com/policies/new-mexico.html)
"New Mexico charges $36 per subject for the GED® test at a Test Center" (https://www.ged.com/policies/new-mexico.html)
"New Mexico charges $36 per subject for the GED® test taken online" (https://www.ged.com/policies/new-mexico.html)
"If you are a resident of New Mexico, your testing fees can be covered courtesy of the New Mexico Free High School Equivalency program." (https://www.ged.com/policies/new-mexico.html)
"You must take a GED Ready test and score a 145 or higher within 60 days of scheduling the official test." (https://www.ged.com/policies/new-mexico.html)
"In New Mexico, 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/new-mexico.html)
"*In New Mexico, there is a $10 test center fee for GED® test retakes." (https://www.ged.com/policies/new-mexico.html)
"The Online Proctored Exam costs $36 for a retake in New Mexico. Discounted retakes are not offered on the Online Proctored Exam." (https://www.ged.com/policies/new-mexico.html)
"In New Mexico, the credential is called the New Mexico High School Diploma." (https://www.ged.com/policies/new-mexico.html)
"New Mexico YES YES 16+ FREE" (https://www.ged.com/state-information-online-testing.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)
"You are 16 years of age or older." (https://hed.nm.gov/students-parents/adult_education/for-adult-students-and-families/high-school-equivalency-hse-1)
"If you are 16 or 17 years old, your parent or legal guardian must complete an Underage Permission Form (UPF) and submit it to adult.education@hed.nm.gov." (https://hed.nm.gov/students-parents/adult_education/for-adult-students-and-families/high-school-equivalency-hse-1)
"New Mexico offers three pathways to earn a High School Equivalency credential: … General Educational Development (GED®) … High School Equivalency Test (HiSET®) … National External Diploma Program (NEDP®)" (https://hed.nm.gov/students-parents/adult_education/for-adult-students-and-families/high-school-equivalency-hse-1)
"You must pass all four subject tests with a score of 145 or higher to earn your HSE credential through the GED® pathway." (https://hed.nm.gov/students-parents/adult_education/for-adult-students-and-families/high-school-equivalency-hse-1)
"Eligible New Mexico test-takers can access GED Ready® practice tests and official GED® tests at no cost through the New Mexico State subsidy." (https://hed.nm.gov/students-parents/adult_education/for-adult-students-and-families/high-school-equivalency-hse-1)
"To receive a State-subsidized official GED® test, you must first take the GED Ready® practice test for that subject and earn a score of 145 or higher." (https://hed.nm.gov/students-parents/adult_education/for-adult-students-and-families/high-school-equivalency-hse-1)
"Participation in the New Mexico State subsidy is optional." (https://hed.nm.gov/students-parents/adult_education/for-adult-students-and-families/high-school-equivalency-hse-1)
"Online-proctored testing may also be available to test-takers who meet GED® online testing requirements." (https://hed.nm.gov/students-parents/adult_education/for-adult-students-and-families/high-school-equivalency-hse-1)
"When you earn your HSE credential, your first set of documents is provided at no cost. Additional document fees may apply." (https://hed.nm.gov/students-parents/adult_education/for-adult-students-and-families/high-school-equivalency-hse-1)
"The Online Proctored Exam allows for one retake before a 60 day waiting period." (https://www.ged.com/policies/new-mexico.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 $36 testing fee" (https://www.ged.com/policies/new-mexico.html)
"There's no limit to how many times you can test in a year." (https://www.ged.com/policies/new-mexico.html)
"You will always need a passing score of 145 or higher within 60 days of scheduling any official test." (https://www.ged.com/policies/new-mexico.html)
"Yes, in New Mexico you can test in English or Spanish and you can combine tests from different languages to earn your credential." (https://www.ged.com/policies/new-mexico.html)
"Continue through checkout, where the New Mexico subsidy should be applied and the total should show $0." (https://hed.nm.gov/students-parents/adult_education/for-adult-students-and-families/high-school-equivalency-hse-1)
"you may choose to opt out and pay for your official GED® tests out of pocket" (https://hed.nm.gov/students-parents/adult_education/for-adult-students-and-families/high-school-equivalency-hse-1)
Questions and answers
How much does the GED cost in New Mexico? 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 New Mexico? 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 New Mexico? 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 New Mexico to take the GED? No. New Mexico 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 New Mexico? Yes, for some residents. New Mexico residents can test free through the state subsidy. For each subject, first score 145 or higher on GED Ready within 60 days of scheduling. Your voucher codes appear in your GED.com account. Programs have conditions and funding can run out, so confirm before you book.
What happens if I fail a GED subject in New Mexico? You only retake the subject you did not pass. No wait after your first failed attempt. After three attempts, wait 60 days. A free retake also needs a new GED Ready score of 145 or higher within 60 days.
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.