{"id":5893,"date":"2026-03-30T23:30:20","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T23:30:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prepsaret.com\/hiset\/?p=5893"},"modified":"2026-04-03T13:38:57","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T13:38:57","slug":"nebraska-hiset-alternative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prepsaret.com\/hiset\/nebraska-hiset-alternative","title":{"rendered":"Nebraska HiSET Alternative: GED Options, Requirements & How to Start"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

Nebraska 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 Nebraska for high school equivalency purposes. There are no HiSET testing centers in Nebraska and no state agency that issues or recognizes HiSET credentials.<\/span><\/p>\n

The GED in Nebraska is administered by the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE), Adult Education section. The Director of Adult Education and GED State Administrator is Tate Lauer, based at the NDE office in Lincoln. Nebraska’s GED tests are administered only at official testing centers under NDE direction or online through GED.com.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Nebraska borders several states. Understanding the landscape helps if you are near a state line or relocating. Neighboring Iowa and Missouri offer HiSET \u2014 a common point of confusion for residents in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area:<\/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
Nebraska<\/b><\/td>\nGED only \u2014 HiSET not available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Iowa (neighboring \u2014 Council Bluffs area)<\/span><\/td>\nHiSET available \u2014 Iowa is a HiSET state; important for Omaha\/Council Bluffs metro residents<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Missouri (neighboring)<\/span><\/td>\nBoth GED and HiSET available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kansas (neighboring)<\/span><\/td>\nGED only \u2014 HiSET not available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Colorado (neighboring)<\/span><\/td>\nBoth GED and HiSET available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
South Dakota (neighboring)<\/span><\/td>\nGED only \u2014 HiSET not available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wyoming (neighboring)<\/span><\/td>\nBoth GED and HiSET 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<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Omaha\/Council Bluffs metro note: Iowa is a HiSET state. Iowa residents near the Nebraska border may have access to HiSET testing in Iowa, but Nebraska residents who cross into Iowa to take the HiSET would receive an Iowa credential \u2014 not a Nebraska diploma. Nebraska employers and institutions recognize the State of Nebraska Department of Education High School Diploma issued through the GED.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The GED (General Educational Development) test is a four-subject high school equivalency examination developed by GED Testing Service LLC, a joint venture of the American Council on Education and Pearson. In Nebraska, it is administered by the NDE Adult Education section, and the credential issued is the State of Nebraska Department of Education High School Diploma.<\/span><\/p>\n

GED.com specifically notes that Nebraska residents have the unique opportunity to take the GED test for free through the state’s free testing voucher program administered by Nebraska Adult Education. Nebraska’s NDE estimated that approximately 4,000 residents take the GED exam each year.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nebraska 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\n
Fact<\/b><\/td>\nDetail<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Official credential name<\/b><\/td>\nState of Nebraska Department of Education High School Diploma<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Administered by<\/b><\/td>\nNebraska Department of Education (NDE), Adult Education Section<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
GED State Administrator<\/b><\/td>\nTate Lauer, Director of Adult Education | tate.lauer@nebraska.gov | (402) 471-4807 | 301 Centennial Mall South, P.O. Box 94987, Lincoln, NE 68509-4987 | Fax: (402) 471-0117<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
NDE Adult Education Phone<\/b><\/td>\n(402) 471-2475 (alternate) | (402) 471-4807 (GED Admin)<\/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 across sessions)<\/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 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 Nebraska<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cost per subject<\/b><\/td>\n$36 per subject ($144 for all four) \u2014 both in-person and online<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Free testing available?<\/b><\/td>\nYES \u2014 through Nebraska Adult Education program vouchers (must first score green on GED Ready; first attempt only per subject)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Retake waiting period<\/b><\/td>\n30-day wait after any failed attempt (unique to Nebraska); 60-day wait after 3rd attempt on the same subject<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Residency to TEST<\/b><\/td>\nNO residency requirement to take the GED test<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Residency to CREDENTIAL<\/b><\/td>\nYES \u2014 must reside in Nebraska for a minimum of 30 days to receive the Nebraska diploma\/credential<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Online testing available?<\/b><\/td>\nYES \u2014 available for qualifying test-takers<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Diploma\/transcript cost<\/b><\/td>\n$2 each for duplicate diploma or transcript requests<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Nebraska’s Free GED Testing Voucher Program<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Nebraska’s Free Testing Opportunity<\/b><\/p>\n

Nebraska residents have a unique opportunity to take the GED test for free through vouchers distributed by Nebraska Adult Education programs. However, the voucher system has specific rules \u2014 it is not automatic and requires passing the GED Ready practice test first. Understanding these terms is essential before planning your testing.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

How the Free Voucher System Works<\/b><\/h3>\n