{"id":5937,"date":"2026-04-07T15:15:13","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T15:15:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prepsaret.com\/hiset\/?p=5937"},"modified":"2026-04-07T15:15:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T15:15:13","slug":"vermont-hiset-alternative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prepsaret.com\/hiset\/vermont-hiset-alternative","title":{"rendered":"Vermont HiSET Alternatives: GED, Diploma & Online Options"},"content":{"rendered":"

Is the HiSET Available in Vermont? No. Vermont does not offer the HiSET exam. The GED is the only state-approved high school equivalency test in Vermont. The credential earned is the Vermont Secondary School Equivalency Certificate, issued through GED Testing Service in partnership with the Vermont Agency of Education.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vermont standardized exclusively on the GED for high school equivalency testing. The HiSET is not offered or accepted in Vermont. Vermont is in the northeastern corner of the country and borders Massachusetts and New Hampshire \u2014 neither of which currently offers the HiSET either.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Maine, which borders New Hampshire, also does not offer the HiSET. The nearest HiSET states to Vermont residents are New York and Pennsylvania.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Vermont borders New York, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. Of these, none currently offer the HiSET:<\/span><\/p>\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
Vermont<\/b><\/td>\nGED only \u2014 HiSET not available; VT residency required<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Massachusetts (bordering)<\/span><\/td>\nHiSET primary exam; GED also available \u2014 MA residents must test in MA<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
New York (bordering)<\/span><\/td>\nGED only \u2014 HiSET not available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
New Hampshire (bordering)<\/span><\/td>\nGED only \u2014 HiSET not available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maine<\/span><\/td>\nGED only \u2014 HiSET not available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pennsylvania<\/span><\/td>\nBoth GED and HiSET available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Delaware (nearest no-residency state for VT non-residents)<\/span><\/td>\nGED only \u2014 but NO residency requirement; Delaware is the nearest state Vermont non-residents can use to take the GED<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Iowa<\/span><\/td>\nHiSET \u2014 Iowa is HiSET-only<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Important Note for Non-Vermont Residents<\/b><\/p>\n

Only Vermont residents may choose Vermont as their jurisdiction for GED testing. Non-residents living in areas near Vermont cannot test in Vermont. Delaware is the nearest state that will allow non-residents to take the GED without a residency requirement. Other states without residency requirements exist; contact GED Testing Service at 1-877-392-6433 for guidance.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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

The Vermont Agency of Education (AOE) administers the state’s Adult Education and Literacy program. Vermont residents who pass all four GED test subjects earn the Vermont Secondary School Equivalency Certificate \u2014 recognized by employers, the military, colleges, and technical educators throughout Vermont and the United States.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The AOE notes that passing the GED provides ‘individuals who did not finish high school with an opportunity to earn a secondary school equivalency certificate.’\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Vermont’s Adult Education and Literacy System has 17 full-service centers and several satellite centers across the state, providing free services including math, reading, writing, workplace skills, GED preparation, ESOL, and more. GED Ready practice tests are offered at adult education centers throughout Vermont.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Study and tutoring assistance is available without charge from adult education and literacy centers, as well as at some youth service programs, homeless shelters, community refugee programs, and community correctional centers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Vermont 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>\nVermont Secondary School Equivalency Certificate<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Administered by<\/b><\/td>\nVermont Agency of Education (AOE) Adult Education and Literacy Division<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
GED Administrator<\/b><\/td>\nMiranda Scott, Education Programs Manager \/ State Director of Adult Education and Literacy | miranda.scott@vermont.gov | (802) 828-0508 | 1 National Life Drive, Davis 5, Montpelier, VT 05620-2501<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
AOE Adult Education<\/b><\/td>\neducation.vermont.gov\/student-learning\/adult-education | (802) 828-6596<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Minimum age<\/b><\/td>\n16 years old \u2014 one of the lowest minimums in this guide series; 16-17 year-olds need parental Permission Form<\/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; Vermont does not charge more for online<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
In-person retake fee<\/b><\/td>\n$10 test center fee; first TWO retakes discounted within 365 days; THREE no-wait in-person attempts before 60-day wait<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Three no-wait retakes (unique)<\/b><\/td>\nVermont allows three in-person retakes with no waiting period between them \u2014 most states only allow two<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Residency required?<\/b><\/td>\nYES \u2014 Vermont residents only; non-residents cannot choose Vermont as jurisdiction<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Languages<\/b><\/td>\nEnglish and Spanish; CAN combine to earn credential in Vermont<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Free adult education services<\/b><\/td>\n17 full-service centers + satellite locations statewide; no cost to eligible students; education.vermont.gov\/student-learning\/adult-education\/local-services<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Adult Diploma Program (ADP)<\/b><\/td>\nNEW pilot (2024) \u2014 earns a local high school diploma from a VT high school; replaced the High School Completion Program; VT residents 16+; contact local adult education provider<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Credential delivery<\/b><\/td>\nFree electronic diploma and transcript via Parchment after passing all 4 subjects; download immediately<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Vermont’s Unique ‘Vermont Secondary School Equivalency Certificate’ Name<\/b><\/p>\n

Vermont is one of the few GED-only states that uses the term ‘certificate’ in its credential name rather than ‘diploma.’ The Vermont Secondary School Equivalency Certificate is the official name used by both the Vermont Agency of Education and GED Testing Service. It is fully recognized as a high school equivalency credential and accepted by all Vermont employers, colleges, and the military \u2014 the naming convention does not diminish its value.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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

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