To take the GED in West Virginia, you must be at least 19, or 16 with approval. Test-center fees are $0 per subject for eligible residents, and online testing is not available. You do not have to live in West 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): 19
Test center, eligible residents: $0
Online testing: No
Residency required: No
How much does the GED cost in West Virginia?
GED.com lists the GED at $0 per subject at a West Virginia test center for eligible residents.
A discounted retake at a test center has no extra fee.
Free or subsidized testing: yes, for some residents. Testing is free in West Virginia, including retakes. First pass the GED Ready practice test at an adult education classroom, then schedule through your program.
More detail: There is no cost to test, but you must schedule through your local adult learning or Option Pathway program.
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 West Virginia?
The standard minimum age to take the GED in West Virginia is 19.
Younger people may be able to test from age 16 with approval.
Rules for younger test takers: Under 19, you must show documents proving you are eligible. If you withdrew from school or are home-schooled, contact your local adult learning center. Students still in high school can test only through the Option Pathway program.
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 West Virginia to take the GED?
No. You do not have to live in West Virginia to take the GED there.
There is no residency requirement. If you test in West Virginia, you earn a West Virginia diploma.
Can you take the GED online in West Virginia?
Online testing is not available in West Virginia. You take the GED at a test center.
Details: GED.com lists no online testing in West Virginia. You test in person.
What are the GED retake rules in West Virginia?
In West Virginia: Wait 14 days before each of your first two retakes and show you still meet the rules. After three attempts, wait 60 days. You can take a subject up to four times a calendar year.
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 West Virginia require?
West Virginia requires a GED Ready practice test score before you book at a test center.
Enroll in an adult education or Option Pathway program and pass GED Ready there before you schedule. GED Ready scores from home are not accepted.
Bring a non-expired, government-issued photo ID on test day (GED.com).
What is the GED credential called in West Virginia?
When you pass, West Virginia issues the State of West Virginia 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 West Virginia rules?
Check two places before you book: the West Virginia state agency and the West Virginia page on GED.com. When they disagree, ask the state agency.
"You must be 19 years old to test in West Virginia without an age waiver." (https://www.ged.com/policies/west-virginia.html)
"In West Virginia, students under the age of 19 must provide documentation verifying their eligibility to take the GED® test." (https://www.ged.com/policies/west-virginia.html)
"Students still enrolled in high school are not eligible to take the GED test unless they are enrolled in the Option Pathway program at their home high school." (https://www.ged.com/policies/west-virginia.html)
"No, in West Virginia you are not required to be a resident." (https://www.ged.com/policies/west-virginia.html)
"You are required to enroll in an adult education or Option Pathway program before you can schedule to take the GED® test." (https://www.ged.com/policies/west-virginia.html)
"Scores from GED Ready® practice tests taken at home or in a location outside of an approved adult education or Option Pathway program will not be accepted." (https://www.ged.com/policies/west-virginia.html)
"There is no cost to the test taker for taking the GED® test in West Virginia." (https://www.ged.com/policies/west-virginia.html)
"In West Virginia, there is a 14 day waiting period for the first two retakes (except for Challenge Academy participants)." (https://www.ged.com/policies/west-virginia.html)
"A subject test may be taken up to four times per calendar year, with the 60 day waiting period applying to the fourth attempt." (https://www.ged.com/policies/west-virginia.html)
"In West Virginia, you are not allowed to retest for a higher score in a subject/subtest you have already passed." (https://www.ged.com/policies/west-virginia.html)
"*In West Virginia there is no additional cost for GED® test retakes." (https://www.ged.com/policies/west-virginia.html)
"The first transcript and diploma is complimentary. Replacement documents may be requested for a fee." (https://www.ged.com/policies/west-virginia.html)
"In West Virginia the credential is called High School Equivalency Diploma." (https://www.ged.com/policies/west-virginia.html)
"West Virginia YES NO N/A FREE" (https://www.ged.com/state-information-online-testing.html)
"Individuals must take and pass all four subject area tests of the GED® exam to receive the State of West Virginia High School Equivalency Diploma." (https://wvde.us/academics/adult-education/adult-education-student-information/west-virginia-high-school-equivalency-diploma)
"To get free testing, you must go to an Adult Education classroom to take the state-approved GED® official practice test and receive a passing score in each subject area." (https://wvde.us/academics/adult-education/adult-education-student-information/west-virginia-high-school-equivalency-diploma)
"West Virginia does not have a residency requirement" (https://wvde.us/academics/adult-education/adult-education-student-information/ged-exam)
"To participate in the distance education program, you must be a West Virginia resident" (https://wvde.us/academics/adult-education/adult-education-student-information/ged-exam)
"All candidates must be at least 16 years old to be admitted to HiSET testing." (https://wvde.us/academics/adult-education/adult-education-student-information/ged-exam)
"If you are officially withdrawn from school or homeschooled, you must contact your local adult learning center to schedule an appointment to take the GED Ready® practice test" (https://www.ged.com/policies/west-virginia.html)
"After the 14 days, candidates must provide proof of having met eligibility requirements to their test administrator." (https://www.ged.com/policies/west-virginia.html)
"The Adult Education or Option Pathway instructor will assist you with the online registration and scheduling for the exam." (https://wvde.us/academics/adult-education/adult-education-student-information/ged-exam)
"There are specific guidelines for 16, 17, and 18-year-olds." (https://wvde.us/academics/adult-education/adult-education-student-information/ged-exam)
Questions and answers
How much does the GED cost in West Virginia? Test-center fees are $0 per subject for eligible residents. 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 West Virginia? 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 West Virginia? No. Online testing is not available in West Virginia, so you test at a test center.
Do I have to live in West Virginia to take the GED? No. West 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 West Virginia? Yes, for some residents. Testing is free in West Virginia, including retakes. First pass the GED Ready practice test at an adult education classroom, then schedule through your program. Programs have conditions and funding can run out, so confirm before you book.
What happens if I fail a GED subject in West Virginia? You only retake the subject you did not pass. Wait 14 days before each of your first two retakes and show you still meet the rules. After three attempts, wait 60 days. You can take a subject up to four times a calendar year.
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.