To take the GED in South Carolina, you must be at least 19, or 16 with approval. It costs $37.50 per subject at a test center, and online testing costs $43.50 per subject where allowed. You must live in South Carolina to test there. Confirm on GED.com before you book.
Key facts
Standard age (16 with approval): 19
Test center, per subject: $37.50
Online, per subject (limited): $43.50
Residency required: Yes
How much does the GED cost in South Carolina?
At a test center, the GED costs $37.50 per subject in South Carolina.
Online, it costs $43.50 per subject.
A discounted retake at a test center costs $17.50 per subject.
We did not find a state program that pays the test fee.
More detail: In person, you get two discounted retakes for each subject you buy; each costs a $17.50 test center fee. Online retakes cost $43.50.
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 South Carolina?
The standard minimum age to take the GED in South Carolina is 19.
Younger people may be able to test from age 16 with approval.
Rules for younger test takers: At 17 or 18 you need a Verification of School Withdrawal form from the principal or attendance supervisor of your last school. At 16 you must also be under DJJ jurisdiction or have a court order letter. 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 South Carolina to take the GED?
Yes. You need to live in South Carolina to take the GED there.
Bring proof of South Carolina residency and a valid ID. A current South Carolina driver's license or state ID covers both. Otherwise bring a utility bill, property tax bill or lease plus an approved ID.
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 South Carolina?
Online testing in South Carolina is limited. GED.com says restrictions may apply, so check your GED.com account before you plan on it.
Details: Online testing is limited. 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 South Carolina?
In South Carolina: You can take a subject up to three times with no wait. After that, wait 60 days after each attempt you do not pass. 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 South Carolina require?
South Carolina 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 cannot combine English and Spanish scores, and Spanish-language testers receive a transcript rather than the equivalency certificate.
Bring a non-expired, government-issued photo ID on test day (GED.com).
What is the GED credential called in South Carolina?
When you pass, South Carolina issues the South Carolina High School Equivalency 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 South Carolina rules?
Check two places before you book: the South Carolina state agency and the South Carolina page on GED.com. When they disagree, ask the state agency.
One state education page still links to TASC registration; GED.com and the state's adult education site describe the GED only.
Official quotes
"South Carolina charges $37.50 per subject for the GED" (https://www.ged.com/policies/south-carolina.html)
"South Carolina charges $43.50 per subject for the GED" (https://www.ged.com/policies/south-carolina.html)
"In South Carolina, there is a $17.50 test center fee for test retakes." (https://www.ged.com/policies/south-carolina.html)
"The Online Proctored Exam costs $43.50 for a retake in South Carolina." (https://www.ged.com/policies/south-carolina.html)
"You must be 19 years old to test in South Carolina." (https://www.ged.com/policies/south-carolina.html)
"if you have a South Carolina Verification of School Withdrawal form completed by the principal or attendance supervisor of the last school you attended" (https://www.ged.com/policies/south-carolina.html)
"If you are 16 years old, you must be under the jurisdiction of DJJ or court order letter must be sent into the state GED" (https://www.ged.com/policies/south-carolina.html)
"Yes, you must provide proof of SC residency as well as valid/current identification." (https://www.ged.com/policies/south-carolina.html)
"In South Carolina the credential is called the South Carolina High School Equivalency Diploma." (https://www.ged.com/policies/south-carolina.html)
"candidates who complete the GED test in Spanish will receive a transcript but will not receive a South Carolina equivalency certificate" (https://www.ged.com/policies/south-carolina.html)
"A 60-day wait period will go into effect after each additional non-passing subject area test attempt." (https://www.ged.com/policies/south-carolina.html)
"You will receive two discounted retakes for every GED" (https://www.ged.com/policies/south-carolina.html)
"You will receive a FREE diploma and official transcript from the South Carolina Department of Education" (https://www.ged.com/policies/south-carolina.html)
"it may not offer the HiSET" (https://hiset.org/get-started/state-requirements/)
"In South Carolina, you can be 16*, 17 or 18 and take the GED" (https://www.ged.com/policies/south-carolina.html)
"After taking a subject area test three times, the test-taker must wait 60 days before retesting." (https://www.ged.com/policies/south-carolina.html)
"Online Proctored Exam allows for one retake before a" (https://www.ged.com/policies/south-carolina.html)
Questions and answers
How much does the GED cost in South Carolina? It costs $37.50 per subject at a test center. Online it costs $43.50 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 South Carolina? The standard minimum age is 19. People as young as 16 may test with approval, such as a waiver and parent consent.
Can I take the GED online in South Carolina? Online testing is limited in South Carolina, 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 South Carolina to take the GED? Yes. You must be a South Carolina resident to test there. Bring proof of where you live if your ID does not show it.
What happens if I fail a GED subject in South Carolina? You only retake the subject you did not pass. You can take a subject up to three times with no wait. After that, wait 60 days after each attempt you do not pass. 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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