{"id":5921,"date":"2026-04-05T16:33:55","date_gmt":"2026-04-05T16:33:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prepsaret.com\/hiset\/?p=5921"},"modified":"2026-04-05T16:43:46","modified_gmt":"2026-04-05T16:43:46","slug":"south-dakota-hiset-alternative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prepsaret.com\/hiset\/south-dakota-hiset-alternative","title":{"rendered":"South Dakota HiSET Alternative: GED & Options"},"content":{"rendered":"

Is the HiSET Available in South Dakota? No. South Dakota does not offer the HiSET exam. The GED is the only state-approved high school equivalency test in South Dakota.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The credential earned is called the GED Certificate \u2014 South Dakota is one of the few states that uses the term ‘certificate’ rather than ‘diploma’ for this credential. South Dakota standardized exclusively on the GED for high school equivalency testing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The HiSET is not offered or accepted in South Dakota. South Dakota’s GED program is administered by the SD Department of Education (DOE), with Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) support programs overseen by the SD Department of Labor and Regulation (DLR).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The state’s GED ecosystem also includes a strong tribal college and organization network serving Native American communities throughout the state.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

South Dakota borders Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana, and North Dakota. Of its neighbors:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
State<\/b><\/td>\nAvailable Exam(s) \u2014 2026<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
South Dakota<\/b><\/td>\nGED only \u2014 HiSET not available; no residency requirement<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Minnesota (neighboring)<\/span><\/td>\nGED only \u2014 HiSET not available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Iowa (neighboring)<\/span><\/td>\nHiSET \u2014 Iowa is a HiSET state<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nebraska (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
Montana (neighboring)<\/span><\/td>\nGED only \u2014 HiSET not available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
North Dakota (neighboring)<\/span><\/td>\nGED only \u2014 HiSET not available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Colorado<\/span><\/td>\nBoth GED and HiSET available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Oklahoma<\/span><\/td>\nBoth GED and HiSET available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

SD residents near Iowa (especially in the Sioux Falls area near the Iowa\/Minnesota border) should note: Iowa is a HiSET state. Iowa residents may use the HiSET for an Iowa credential.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, SD residents who take the HiSET in Iowa would receive an Iowa credential \u2014 not a South Dakota GED Certificate. Since South Dakota has no residency requirement, non-residents from Iowa or other states can also take the GED in South Dakota.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The General Education Development, or GED Certificate, is recognized as the official high school equivalency credential in South Dakota.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The SD Department of Education notes that the GED was developed in the 1940s to help veterans who joined the military without finishing high school, and in the 80+ years since, millions of Americans and thousands of South Dakotans have earned their credential for personal and professional gain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The South Dakota Department of Education oversees the GED program and credential. The SD Department of Labor and Regulation (DLR) separately administers Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) programs that support test preparation and provide tutoring, classes, and other GED support to adult learners. Many tribal organizations and private nonprofits also provide GED support throughout the state.<\/span><\/p>\n

South Dakota 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>\nGED Certificate (South Dakota uses ‘certificate,’ not ‘diploma’)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Administered by<\/b><\/td>\nSD Department of Education (DOE) \u2014 credential; SD Department of Labor and Regulation (DLR) \u2014 Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) programs<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
GED State Administrator<\/b><\/td>\nKristin Larson | kristin.larson@state.sd.us | (605) 773-3134 | 800 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501-2291<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SD DOE GED contact<\/b><\/td>\nGED@state.sd.us | (605) 773-4726 | doe.sd.gov\/ged\/<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Number of subjects<\/b><\/td>\n4<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Passing score per subject<\/b><\/td>\n145 out of 200<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cost \u2014 In-Person (Test Center)<\/b><\/td>\n$50 per subject ($200 for all four)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cost \u2014 Online (Remote Proctored)<\/b><\/td>\n$50 per subject ($200 for all four) \u2014 SAME as in-person; SD is one of a few states with uniform pricing regardless of format<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Retake fee \u2014 In-Person<\/b><\/td>\n$20 test center fee (GED Testing Service waives $26+); one discounted retake per full-price purchase within 365 days<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Retake fee \u2014 Online<\/b><\/td>\n$50 \u2014 no discounted retake for online testing<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Residency required?<\/b><\/td>\nNO \u2014 South Dakota has no residency requirement; non-residents may test in SD<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
No-wait retake attempts<\/b><\/td>\nTWO \u2014 no waiting period for first 2 in-person retakes; 60-day wait after 3rd attempt<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Languages<\/b><\/td>\nEnglish and Spanish; you CAN combine the two languages to earn your credential in South Dakota<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SD DOE transcripts\/certificates?<\/b><\/td>\nNO \u2014 SD DOE does NOT provide official transcripts or certificates; all official documents ordered through GED Testing Services<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Credential delivery<\/b><\/td>\nFree electronic diploma and transcript emailed via Parchment after passing all 4 subjects. Free printed diploma also available on request via GED.com.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
$50 Per Subject \u2014 South Dakota’s High GED Price<\/b><\/p>\n

South Dakota charges $50 per subject for the GED \u2014 one of the highest GED per-subject rates in the country (most states charge $30-$44). The total for all four subjects is $200. Critically, the $50 price applies equally to both in-person and online testing \u2014 South Dakota is one of the few states that does not charge more for the online option. If cost is a concern, contact DLR Adult Education and Literacy programs about financial assistance.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

South Dakota GED Eligibility Requirements (2026)<\/b><\/h2>\n

Adults 18 and Older: Standard Requirements<\/b><\/h3>\n