GED in Washington DC

Earning a GED in Washington DC provides a valuable pathway to a high school equivalency certificate, leading to better employment prospects, higher earnings, and access to higher education for many who did not complete traditional high school.

By obtaining a high school diploma, you gain the knowledge and skills necessary to enter the workforce with enhanced earning potential.

How To Get a GED in Washington DC

If you’re looking to earn a GED in Washington, D.C, here is a step-by-step guide to getting a GED in Washington DC.

To begin, ensure you meet the eligibility requirements. You should not already have a high school diploma or its equivalent and must be disengaged from any accredited high school. Candidates need to be at least 16 years old and not currently enrolled in high school. Individuals aged 16 to 18 must also complete the ‘Request for Approval to Test form’ to obtain permission to take the GED® tests.

Start by preparing for the test using Washington, D.C. GED study guides, local prep classes, or online resources. Taking GED practice tests is strongly recommended to assess your readiness.

Next, decide whether you want to take the GED test online or at an approved local testing center. If you opt for online testing, make sure you complete the practice tests first.

To register for the test, create an account on the official GED website. This platform will allow you to schedule your test and access study materials. Payment for the test can be made online using a debit or credit card.

On the day of the test, bring a non-expired, government-issued photo ID. After completing the test, you will receive your results. To pass, you need to score at least 145 on each subtest. If you don’t meet this score, you will need to retake the required subtests.

After passing all the necessary subtests, you will receive a Washington, D.C. GED certificate. This certificate is recognized by employers and educational institutions across the country and includes your name, issue date, and scores for each subject, marking a significant achievement in your educational journey.

GED in Washington DC Requirements

To be eligible to take the GED® test in Washington DC, you must meet the following requirements:

General GED Requirements in Washington DC

• Be a resident of Washington DC.
• To take the test, you must be at least 16 years old, though test-takers aged 16 or 17 must meet additional requirements.
• Not be enrolled in school.
• Have not graduated from high school.
• Take the GED Ready Practice tests.
• The Washington GED test includes subjects such as Math, Social Studies, Science, and Language Arts, and offers options for online testing.

DC GED Residency Requirements

• You must be a resident of the state of Washington DC. 

To take the GED test in Washington DC, you must meet residency criteria by being a resident, enrolled in the Job Corps, or mandated by court order. This requirement is specified in the District of Columbia Code, Section 8402.1. 

Accepted forms of proof of residency include:

• Utility Bill: A utility bill with proof of payment of a bill from a period within two months. Only gas, electric, and water bills are acceptable.
• Lease or Rental Agreement: An unexpired lease or rental agreement with proof of payment of rent, such as a receipt of payment, money order, or copy of cashed check. The lease must contain the start date, monthly rent amount, name of landlord, and be signed by the enrolling person and landlord.
• District of Columbia Motor Vehicle Registration: An unexpired District of Columbia motor vehicle registration.
• Government Assistance Documentation: Unexpired official documentation of financial assistance from the Government of the District of Columbia, issued to within the past 12 months, including but not limited to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, the State Child Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), Supplemental Security Income, housing assistance, or other programs.
• Certified Copy of Form D40: A certified copy of Form D40, certified by the District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR), as evidence of payment of District of Columbia taxes for the current or most recent tax year.
• Military Housing Orders or Statement: Military housing orders or a statement on military letterhead, including but not limited to Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) statement or other official communication on military letterhead.
• Embassy Letter: An embassy letter issued within the past 12 months.
• Evidence of Homelessness: Evidence that the candidate is homeless.
• Proof of Child as Ward of the District of Columbia: Proof that a child is a ward of the District of Columbia, in the form of a court order or official documentation from District of Columbia Child and Family Services Agency

Candidates must present a single, valid government-issued identification that is not expired. This ID must feature the candidate’s name, date of birth, signature, and photograph.

GED in Washington DC: Age Requirements

In Washington DC, the rules for taking the GED test vary based on age and circumstances.

Minimum Age

You must be at least 18 years old to take the GED test.

Underage Testers (16 and 17)

To take the GED test in Washington D.C. if you are 16 or 17 years old, you must meet the following requirements:

1. Age Waiver

Application: Apply for an age waiver.

Eligibility: You must meet one of the following conditions to be eligible for an age waiver:

• Parental Permission: Provide a notarized letter of permission from a parent or guardian stating: You have not been enrolled in a traditional high school program for at least 6 months.
• Alternative Education: You are enrolled in a DC Public Schools (DCPS) or DC Public Charter School-based educational program that provides academic preparation toward GED completion.
• Juvenile Justice: You are incarcerated or in an out-of-home secure placement within the juvenile justice system and could not reasonably complete a traditional high school diploma program based on your current academic credits and time remaining for compulsory education.
• Federal Program: You are enrolled in a program established by federal law to provide GED test preparation to youth under the age of 18.

1. Documentation

• Proof of Eligibility: Provide documentation supporting your eligibility for the age waiver, including the Request for Approval to Test form.
• Test Center: The GED test is administered at the Marion S. Barry, Jr. Building, 441 Fourth St. NW, Suite 370 North, Washington, DC 20001. The test center is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. by appointment only.
• Parental Consent for Underage Online Testers: A  parent or guardian must attend the pre-test check-in to provide consent and authorize the recording of the test session. Failure to have a parent or guardian present will result in the cancellation of the exam session.

GED in Washington DC Cost

The cost of taking the GED test in Washington DC varies depending on whether the test is taken in person or online.

What Is the Fee for Taking the Ged Test Online in Washington DC?

The online GED test is priced at $36 per subject test, totaling $144 for the entire exam.

To be eligible for online GED testing, you must achieve passing scores on the GED Ready official practice test. Each GED Ready test can be purchased for $6.99 on GED.com. Since there are four GED subject tests, you will need to purchase four GED Ready tests, costing an additional $28. Therefore, the total cost for online GED testing in Washington amounts to $172.

What Is the Fee for Taking the Ged Test in Person at a Testing Center?

In Washington, DC, there is a subsidy of $36 for the first attempt of each module at a test center. This subsidy can be applied up to four times using the promo code.

GED Discount Code Washington DC

The promo code for GED testing in Washington, D.C., is DCSAVE36. This code reduces the cost of the first attempt at each GED test module to just $3.75. While some test takers look for a completely free GED in Washington DC, this discount provides significant savings.

This discount applies to on-site testing and can be used up to four times. However, for online GED testing, the total cost remains $144, with no additional discounts available for retakes.

To qualify for this reduced fee, you must apply the discount code DCSAVE36 during checkout.

Maryland also provides discounted GED testing, similar to several other states such as:

• Ohio (For first time students)
• Arkansas (Applies for those taking the GED at a testing centre)
• Minnesota

GED in Washington DC: GED Retesting Policies

DC Waiting Period

In Washington DC, the retake policy for the GED test is as follows:

• First Two Retakes: There is a 30-day waiting period for the first two retakes of any subject.
• Third and Subsequent Retakes: After taking a test subject three times, you must wait 60 calendar days before each retake.
• Frequency of Retakes: There is no limit to how many times you can test in a year.

Additionally, to retake a subject, you must also meet the following requirements:

• GED Ready Score: You must take the GED Ready practice test and score “likely to pass” or “too close to call” in the subject you are seeking to retake.

DC Retake Fee

On-Site Testing

For every GED® test subject you purchase but do not pass, you will receive one discounted retake. You have up to 365 days after your initial full-price test to use this retake opportunity. 

This offer, where one retake is discounted for every full-price test purchased, continues until you successfully pass the test. GED Testing Service waives its $26 testing fee.

Please note: The District of Columbia does not charge an additional fee.

Online Proctored Exam

• Cost: The Online Proctored Exam costs $36 for a retake in the District of Columbia.
• Discounted Retakes: Discounted retakes are not offered on the Online Proctored Exam.

GED Test Locations in Washington DC

If you’re wondering where to take the GED test in Washington DC, you have two options. The first option is to take the test at official GED testing centers, which provide a secure and private computer-based testing environment. Alternatively, you can take the test online, offering flexibility, especially for those in rural areas who may have to travel to the nearest local testing center.

Below is a list of various Washington DC GED testing locations:

Find GED Test Dates in Washington DC

In Washington, D.C., the GED tests are administered by the District of Columbia GED Program Office (GEDPO). Here are the key details regarding test dates and registration:

Testing Schedule

• Days Available: GED testing is conducted Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. by appointment only.
• Location: The tests are held at the Marion S. Barry, Jr. Building, located at 441 Fourth St. NW, Suite 370 North, Washington, DC 20001.

GED Online Washington DC

Online GED testing in Washington DC is monitored by an online proctor. The proctor uses software to remotely monitor the test-taker during the exam. To take the test online in Washington DC, candidates must be 18 years or older. Here are other states and territories with a similar age requirement for online testing: 

• Washington DC
• Connecticut
• Maryland
• California
• Guam
• Mississippi
• Nevada
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania

You must also have:

• A valid government-issued ID or driver’s license
• A compatible webcam and computer
• A reliable internet connection
• A private workspace
• A ‘green’ GED Ready score

On test day, please log into your GED.com account at least 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment. Once logged in, follow the on-screen prompts to verify your computer, workspace, and ID.

District of Columbia GED Transcript 

In order to earn your GED certification in Washington DC, students are required to click here to request transcripts. Choose “District of Columbia” from the drop-down menu labeled “Select Area.”

For third-party verification and transcript requests of test takers in the District of Columbia or anywhere in the United States, GEDTS handles fulfillment.

To request a new GED Credentialing Parchment Exchange account, please complete the online form.

If you are an international test taker, GED Testing Service fulfills your transcript and verification requests through Parchment Exchange.

GED Classes Washington DC

Various locations in Washington DC offer GED preparation classes to help students succeed on the test. These classes provide structured instruction, practice questions, and guidance from experienced educators. Classes are provided by several organizations, including community colleges and adult education centers.

They cater to different learning styles and schedules, with options for both in-person and online instruction. Additionally, many programs are free or low-cost, ensuring accessibility for all residents.

Engaging in these preparatory classes significantly enhances the likelihood of passing the GED exam and achieving a high school equivalency credential.

Check Out: All GED Prep Classes in Washington DC near you

Free GED Programs in DC

In Washington, D.C., several organizations offer free GED programs to help individuals prepare for the GED test. Here are some notable examples of Washington, DC GED programs:

DC Public Library

The DC Public Library offers free GED preparation classes, including study materials and practice tests. They provide both in-person and online options, making it accessible for all learners.

UDC GED Program

University of the District of Columbia  (UDC) ’s Community College  provides free GED classes through its Adult Education program. These classes focus on essential skills and test preparation.

GED Programs in Southeast Washington DC

In Southeast Washington, D.C., there are several GED programs available to help individuals prepare for the test. These programs offer various resources, including classes, study materials, and personalized tutoring, to support learners in achieving their educational goals.

The Latin American Youth Center (LAYC)

LAYC offers free GED preparation for youth and young adults, providing a supportive environment with experienced instructors.

The Academy of Hope

This nonprofit organization offers free GED classes and personalized tutoring, focusing on adult learners to help them achieve their educational goals.

Goodwill of Greater Washington

Goodwill provides free GED preparation classes, along with career services and job readiness training, to help individuals succeed academically and professionally. These programs aim to enhance accessibility and support residents in achieving their educational aspirations.

With these affordable GED programs in Washington, DC, residents have many opportunities to advance their education and career prospects.