{"id":5887,"date":"2026-03-30T22:33:26","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T22:33:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prepsaret.com\/hiset\/?p=5887"},"modified":"2026-03-30T23:27:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T23:27:19","slug":"maryland-hiset-alternative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prepsaret.com\/hiset\/maryland-hiset-alternative","title":{"rendered":"Maryland HiSET Alternative: GED Options, Eligibility & How to Apply"},"content":{"rendered":"

Is the HiSET Available in Maryland? No. Maryland does not offer the HiSET exam. The GED is the only state-approved high school equivalency test in Maryland. All employers, colleges, training programs, and the military in Maryland recognize the GED as the official path to a high school equivalency diploma. The credential earned is called the Maryland High School Diploma.<\/span><\/p>\n

Maryland is among the majority of U.S. states that have standardized exclusively on the GED. The HiSET \u2014 created by ETS and available in approximately 20 states \u2014 is not offered or accepted in Maryland for high school equivalency purposes. There are no HiSET testing centers in Maryland and no state agency that issues or recognizes HiSET credentials.<\/span><\/p>\n

The GED in Maryland is administered by the Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning (DWDAL) within the Maryland Department of Labor. The State GED Administrator is Laura Ostrowski, based at the Maryland Department of Labor’s Baltimore office. Maryland provides a state subsidy for every first test attempt, making GED testing significantly more affordable than in many other states.<\/span><\/p>\n

Which States Still Offer HiSET?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Maryland borders several other states. Understanding the landscape helps if you are near a state line or relocating. Note that neighboring Pennsylvania and West Virginia are GED-only, like Maryland:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
State<\/b><\/td>\nAvailable Exam(s)<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maryland<\/b><\/td>\nGED only \u2014 HiSET not available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Virginia (neighboring)<\/span><\/td>\nGED only \u2014 HiSET not available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
West Virginia (neighboring)<\/span><\/td>\nGED only \u2014 HiSET not available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pennsylvania (neighboring)<\/span><\/td>\nBoth GED and HiSET available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Delaware (neighboring)<\/span><\/td>\nGED only \u2014 HiSET not available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
New Jersey (neighboring)<\/span><\/td>\nGED only \u2014 HiSET not available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Massachusetts<\/span><\/td>\nHiSET is the primary exam; GED not offered for state HSE<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hawaii, California<\/span><\/td>\nBoth GED and HiSET available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Important: Maryland has a residency requirement. You must be a Maryland resident to take the GED in Maryland. If you relocate to Pennsylvania \u2014 where both GED and HiSET are available \u2014 you would need to start fresh under Pennsylvania’s requirements. Maryland GED subjects already passed cannot be transferred to another state’s different exam.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is the Maryland GED?<\/b><\/h2>\n

The GED in Maryland is a four-subject high school equivalency examination administered under the authority of the Maryland Department of Labor. The credential issued is specifically called the Maryland High School Diploma \u2014 not a ‘GED certificate’ \u2014 placing it on the same legal level as a diploma earned through traditional K-12 schooling.<\/span><\/p>\n

Maryland provides a state subsidy reducing the cost of each first test attempt from $36.00 to $14.25 using discount code MDGED2175. The Maryland Department of Labor’s Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning oversees GED testing, the NEDP program, the 4th & Goal initiative, adult education classes in every county and Baltimore City, and the Maryland Adult High School Pilot Program.<\/span><\/p>\n

Maryland GED At-a-Glance<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Fact<\/b><\/td>\nDetail<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Official credential name<\/b><\/td>\nMaryland High School Diploma<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Administered by<\/b><\/td>\nDivision of Workforce Development and Adult Learning, Maryland Department of Labor<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
GED State Administrator<\/b><\/td>\nLaura Ostrowski | laura.ostrowski@maryland.gov | 410-767-0069 | 100 South Charles Street, Tower 1, Suite 2000, Baltimore, MD 21201<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
MD Labor Main Contact<\/b><\/td>\nDivision of Workforce Development & Adult Learning | 1100 N Eutaw Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 | 410-767-2173 | dldwdworkforcedevelopment-labor@maryland.gov<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Number of subjects<\/b><\/td>\n4<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Total test time<\/b><\/td>\nApproximately 7.5 hours (can be split; though all subjects in one day is not recommended)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Passing score per subject<\/b><\/td>\n145 out of 200<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Score results<\/b><\/td>\nAvailable instantly \u2014 same day within 3 hours of completing a subject<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Available languages<\/b><\/td>\nEnglish and Spanish \u2014 you CAN combine different language versions to earn your credential in Maryland<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Subsidized first-attempt cost<\/b><\/td>\n$14.25 per subject ($57.00 for all four) using discount code MDGED2175 \u2014 both in-person and online<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Full (unsubsidized) cost<\/b><\/td>\n$36.00 per subject ($144.00 for all four) \u2014 applies to all retakes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maryland subsidy discount code<\/b><\/td>\nMDGED2175 \u2014 apply at checkout; covers first attempt only; code can be used four times total (once per subject)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Residency required?<\/b><\/td>\nYES \u2014 must be a Maryland resident with current Maryland-issued ID and proof of residency<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Online testing available?<\/b><\/td>\nYES \u2014 for test-takers 18 and older only; under-18 testers cannot take the online GED in Maryland regardless of withdrawal status<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Diploma received<\/b><\/td>\nOne free electronic diploma + one free paper diploma (both free, with action required to receive)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Maryland’s Strict ID and Residency Requirements<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Critical Maryland-Specific Rule: ID and Residency Documentation<\/b><\/p>\n

Maryland has among the strictest ID and residency verification requirements of any state. You will be turned away from the test center \u2014 or have your online session revoked \u2014 without adequate proof of identification AND residency. Prepare your documents carefully before scheduling.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Acceptable Identification for In-Person Testing<\/b><\/h3>\n

Maryland requires current, official identification that verifies both identity AND Maryland residency. The following are accepted at in-person test centers:<\/span><\/p>\n