{"id":5929,"date":"2026-04-07T01:41:42","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T01:41:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prepsaret.com\/hiset\/?p=5929"},"modified":"2026-04-07T14:32:43","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T14:32:43","slug":"utah-hiset-alternative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prepsaret.com\/hiset\/utah-hiset-alternative","title":{"rendered":"Utah HiSET Alternative: GED, Online Diploma & Adult Programs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Is the HiSET Available in Utah? No. Utah does not offer the HiSET exam. The GED is the only state-approved high school equivalency test in Utah. The credential earned is the Utah High School Completion Diploma \u2014 a full diploma issued by the Utah State Board of Education (USBE).<\/span><\/p>\n

Utah standardized exclusively on the GED for high school equivalency testing. The HiSET is not offered or accepted in Utah for high school equivalency purposes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The credential earned \u2014 the Utah High School Completion Diploma \u2014 is unique in that it is called a ‘diploma,’ not a ‘certificate’ or ‘equivalency diploma,’ reflecting Utah’s view that passing the GED is equivalent to completing a traditional high school program.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Utah borders Nevada, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. Of these 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
Utah<\/b><\/td>\nGED only \u2014 HiSET not available; no residency requirement to test<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nevada (bordering)<\/span><\/td>\nGED only \u2014 HiSET not available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Idaho (bordering)<\/span><\/td>\nGED only \u2014 HiSET not available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wyoming (bordering)<\/span><\/td>\nBoth GED and HiSET available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Colorado (bordering)<\/span><\/td>\nBoth GED and HiSET available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
New Mexico (bordering)<\/span><\/td>\nBoth GED and HiSET available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Arizona (bordering)<\/span><\/td>\nGED only \u2014 HiSET not available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Iowa<\/span><\/td>\nHiSET \u2014 Iowa is a HiSET-only state<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Massachusetts<\/span><\/td>\nHiSET primary exam; GED also available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Utah residents near the Colorado or Wyoming border could take a HiSET in those states \u2014 but would receive a Colorado or Wyoming credential, not a Utah High School Completion Diploma. Since Utah has no residency requirement, non-residents can also test in Utah.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The Utah High School Completion Diploma is issued by the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) to individuals who pass all four GED test modules at a Utah HSE exam testing center. USBE notes that completing the GED in Utah results in receiving a Utah HSC diploma, which is considered a high school equivalency diploma \u2014 usable to apply to college or on a job resume, similar to a high school diploma.<\/span><\/p>\n

Utah Adult Education programs are administered by USBE and provide GED preparation instruction through a diverse provider network composed of Community-based Organizations (CBOs), Local Education Agencies (LEAs), community colleges, workplaces, labor unions, and correctional education programs. The maximum annual fee for adult education programs is $100, with fee waivers available.<\/span><\/p>\n

Utah 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\n
Fact<\/b><\/td>\nDetail<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Official credential name<\/b><\/td>\nUtah High School Completion Diploma (Utah HSC Diploma) \u2014 a full diploma, not a ‘certificate’ or ‘equivalency diploma’<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Issued by<\/b><\/td>\nUtah State Board of Education (USBE)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
GED Administrator<\/b><\/td>\nDanielle Pedersen | danielle.pedersen@schools.utah.gov | (801) 538-7925 | 250 East 500 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4200<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
USBE Adult Education<\/b><\/td>\nschools.utah.gov\/adulteducation | (801) 538-7989 | 250 East 500 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4200<\/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<\/b><\/td>\n$36 per subject ($144 for all four)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cost \u2014 Online<\/b><\/td>\n$36 per subject ($144 for all four) \u2014 SAME as in-person; no extra charge for online format in Utah<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Discounted retake fee \u2014 In-Person<\/b><\/td>\n$10 test center fee (GED waives $26); one discounted retake per full-price purchase within 365 days<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
No-wait in-person retakes<\/b><\/td>\nTWO \u2014 no waiting period for first 2 in-person retakes; 60-day wait after 3rd attempt; no annual limit<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Residency required?<\/b><\/td>\nNO \u2014 Utah has no residency requirement to take the test<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Languages<\/b><\/td>\nEnglish and Spanish; you CAN combine the two languages to earn your credential in Utah<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Under-18 requirement<\/b><\/td>\nHSE Candidate and Adult Education Eligibility Form required \u2014 formal withdrawal from school; 16-year-olds also need academic readiness verification at a Utah adult education program<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Adult education program fees<\/b><\/td>\nMaximum $100 per year; fee waivers available upon request<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Utah LearningExpress Library<\/b><\/td>\nFree GED prep \u2014 available through USBE Adult Education and the Utah State Library<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Alternative diploma path<\/b><\/td>\nUtah Adult Secondary Diploma \u2014 earn through academic credits at adult education programs (ASE); does not require passing the GED<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Credential delivery<\/b><\/td>\nFree electronic Utah HSC Diploma and e-transcript via Parchment after passing all 4 subjects; download immediately<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Utah’s Unique ‘Utah High School Completion Diploma’ Name<\/b><\/p>\n

Most states call the GED-based credential a ‘certificate’ or ‘equivalency diploma.’ Utah is one of the few states that issues it as a full ‘Utah High School Completion Diploma.’\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

USBE explicitly states that passing the GED in Utah results in receiving a diploma that is ‘considered a high school equivalency diploma’ and can be used to apply to college or on a job resume similar to a high school diploma.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This naming reflects Utah’s strong commitment to treating GED completers as full high school graduates.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Utah GED Eligibility Requirements<\/b><\/h2>\n

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