To take the GED in Virginia, 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 Virginia 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 Virginia?
At a test center, the GED costs $36 per subject in Virginia.
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. You can earn free testing vouchers. Enroll in an adult education program, attend at least 12 hours, and pass a GED Ready practice test in each subject.
More detail: Without a voucher, each subject costs $36. A discounted in-person retake costs a $10 test center fee; online retakes cost $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 Virginia?
The standard minimum age to take the GED in Virginia is 18.
Younger people may be able to test from age 16 with approval.
Rules for younger test takers: Under 18, you can test from age 16 only in certain cases, such as home schooling, release from compulsory attendance, an ISAEP program, expulsion or a court order. A school or official sends signed documents to the state. 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 Virginia to take the GED?
No. You do not have to live in Virginia to take the GED there.
Can you take the GED online in Virginia?
Yes. Online testing from home is available in Virginia for $36 per subject.
Details: Online testing is open from age 16. 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 Virginia?
In Virginia: In person, no wait for your first two retakes; 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 Virginia require?
Virginia 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.
GED Ready is strongly encouraged for in-person testing, and students in the ISAEP (Options) program must take it.
Bring a non-expired, government-issued photo ID on test day (GED.com).
What is the GED credential called in Virginia?
When you pass, Virginia issues the Virginia GED Certificate.
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 Virginia rules?
Check two places before you book: the Virginia state agency and the Virginia page on GED.com. When they disagree, ask the state agency.
"You must be 18 years old to test in Virginia." (https://www.ged.com/policies/virginia.html)
"Homeschooled, at least 16 years of age, and provide the Specialist for High School Equivalency in the Office of Adult Education and Literacy VDOE with documentation signed by the superintendent/designee" (https://www.ged.com/policies/virginia.html)
"Excused from school attendance based on religious reasons or chronic health issues." (https://www.ged.com/policies/virginia.html)
"No, there is no residency requirement to take the test in Virginia." (https://www.ged.com/policies/virginia.html)
"Virginia charges $36 per subject for the GED® test at a Test Center." (https://www.ged.com/policies/virginia.html)
"Virginia charges $36 per subject for the GED ® test taken online" (https://www.ged.com/policies/virginia.html)
"Yes, you are required to take the GED Ready ® practice test before taking the official GED ® test online." (https://www.ged.com/policies/virginia.html)
"*In Virginia, there is a $10 test center fee for GED® test retakes" (https://www.ged.com/policies/virginia.html)
"The Online Proctored Exam costs $36 for a retake in Virginia." (https://www.ged.com/policies/virginia.html)
"In Virginia, there is no waiting period for your first two retakes." (https://www.ged.com/policies/virginia.html)
"In Virginia the credential is called the GED ® Certificate." (https://www.ged.com/policies/virginia.html)
"Earn FREE GED® testing vouchers. Enroll in an adult education program (distance education options available), attend a minimum of 12 hours, and pass a GED Ready ® practice test in each subject area." (https://www.doe.virginia.gov/teaching-learning-assessment/specialized-instruction/adult-education/high-school-equivalency-hse-credential)
"Currently, the only Virginia board-approved HSE examination in Virginia is the GED® test" (https://www.doe.virginia.gov/teaching-learning-assessment/specialized-instruction/adult-education/high-school-equivalency-hse-credential)
"To qualify for a Virginia GED ® Certificate, a score of 145 or better is needed on each subject area test." (https://www.doe.virginia.gov/teaching-learning-assessment/specialized-instruction/adult-education/high-school-equivalency-hse-credential)
"Released from Compulsory Attendance, at least 16 years of age" (https://www.ged.com/policies/virginia.html)
"In alternative education and granted an ISAEP." (https://www.ged.com/policies/virginia.html)
"In a correctional facility, at least 16 years of age" (https://www.ged.com/policies/virginia.html)
"Expelled from school, at least sixteen years of age" (https://www.ged.com/policies/virginia.html)
"Court ordered, at least sixteen years of age" (https://www.ged.com/policies/virginia.html)
"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/virginia.html)
"No, w hile you are strongly encouraged, you’re not required to take the GED Ready ® practice test before taking the official GED ® test." (https://www.ged.com/policies/virginia.html)
"*All s tudents who are enrolled in an Options Program (ISAEP) are required to take the GED Ready ® practice tests as eligibility for taking the official GED ® test." (https://www.ged.com/policies/virginia.html)
"The Online Proctored Exam allows for one retake before a 60 day waiting period." (https://www.ged.com/policies/virginia.html)
"After passing the GED ® test, you will automatically receive one free electronic diploma, one free electronic transcript." (https://www.ged.com/policies/virginia.html)
"GED ® test takers who earned a credential can order duplicate copies of transcripts and official Virginia GED certificates online at the GED Credentialing™ website." (https://www.doe.virginia.gov/teaching-learning-assessment/specialized-instruction/adult-education/high-school-equivalency-hse-credential)
Questions and answers
How much does the GED cost in Virginia? 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 Virginia? 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 Virginia? 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 Virginia to take the GED? No. Virginia 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 Virginia? Yes, for some residents. You can earn free testing vouchers. Enroll in an adult education program, attend at least 12 hours, and pass a GED Ready practice test in each subject. Programs have conditions and funding can run out, so confirm before you book.
What happens if I fail a GED subject in Virginia? You only retake the subject you did not pass. In person, no wait for your first two retakes; 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.