WVABE - GED Eligibility

GED Eligibility

Persons physically residing within West Virginia for a period of 30 days with proof of a West Virginia mailing address are considered residents. Military personnel, employees of business or industry who have been moved physically into the State, persons confined in state and federal penitentiaries or hospitals, and persons taking part in educational or vocational programs and physically residing within the State have the privilege of being tested. If the applicant meets other State requirements, he/she is eligible for a West Virginia High School Equivalent Diploma. However, if the applicant wishes to have his/her test results sent to his/her home state for the purpose of securing an equivalency diploma, rather than applying for a diploma from West Virginia, he/she may have that privilege.

Non-residents may be tested and the results will be sent to the individual’s home state for issuance of a diploma. There may be additional fees required by the individual’s home state for the issuance of an equivalency diploma; these are the examinee’s responsibility. It is up to the individual’s home state whether to accept or to reject the individual’s test scores for the purpose of issuing an equivalency diploma. Equivalency diplomas earned by military personnel are mailed to home addresses only.

Individuals who are 18 years of age and have been out of a traditional classroom situation (i.e. officially withdrawn, home-schooled and/or in an approved alternative education program) for a period of three months before making application or whose original high school class has been graduated may be admitted to testing by providing written documentation from the last school/system attended stating that the student has been withdrawn and giving the withdrawal date from school and the original class graduation date.

Individuals who are 17 years of age must be officially withdrawn from the school system and may make application for GED testing if:

   They have been out of a traditional classroom situation (i.e. officially withdrawn, home-schooled and/or in an approved alternative education program) for a period of six months before making application or have been a member of a high school class that has been graduated, and

   The principal/school official of the last school/system attended provides written verification stating the exact date of withdrawal from school and sends it directly to the testing site prior to any formal application for testing, and

   An employer states in writing that there is pending /continuing advanced employment for the applicant once an equivalency diploma is earned, or

   An official of a college or university states in writing that the applicant will be accepted upon attainment of the equivalency diploma, or

seventeen (17) year old applicants for induction into the All-Volunteer Armed Forces of the United States may be admitted to take the GED tests provided:

the Chief Examiner of an official GED center receives an individual request from the recruiting officer for the applicant to take the GED tests. This request should be in the form of a letter from the recruiting officer asking admission of the applicant and stating in his/her request that the applicant meets all of the military requirements for induction except for achieving the appropriate scores on the GED tests, and

the recruiting officer submits to the Chief Examiner a copy of a letter from applicant’s parent or guardian granting him/her permission to enter the Armed Forces.

Examinees 16, 17, or 18 years of age who are participating in residential federal programs (i.e. Job Corps, Mountaineer Challenge and/or other approved career-oriented federal residential programs) may be tested provided that they have been officially withdrawn from school (with documentation) at least 30 days prior to testing and have completed a vocational/prescribed training or have submitted a signed letter of intent to acquire further education and a letter of admission from an institution of higher learning. The individual must pass the test while in the program; otherwise, the examinee must meet the state policy guidelines.

Individuals who are 16, 17, or 18 years of age who are residents of West Virginia state operated correctional facilities may be admitted to testing if a letter from the facility’s principal or lead teacher is sent directly to the local test center prior to any testing stating all of the following:

the individual has received counseling regarding educational and career opportunities;

the individual will receive ongoing counseling regarding educational and career opportunities;

the individual has declined to participate in a traditional education program if released.

These materials must be sent directly to the local test center prior to any testing.

The test must be passed while the examinee is under the control of the facility; otherwise, the individual must qualify under the state policy guidelines to complete testing or to re-test upon release unless a) court ordered or b) as a court-approved part of an after-care plan.

Adjudicated youth 16, 17, or 18 years of age who are under the control of a court, detention center, group care facility, probation or parole office may be admitted to GED testing on the order of the court even if they are still enrolled in school. The Education Director (from state approved group care facilities) or parole officer must submit a written request to the local Chief Examiner with all of the following documentation:

an official court order or a letter from a judge, parole officer, or probation officer that states the individual shall be admitted for GED Testing;

a letter from the Education Director or an officer of the court stating that the individual has received counseling regarding educational and career opportunities and assurances that the individual will receive ongoing counseling regarding educational and career opportunities; and

the individual has declined to participate in a traditional education program if released

These materials must be sent directly to the local test center prior to any testing.

If the youth is 16 years of age, the request shall be sent to: Director of Linkage Services, Child Protective Services, Bureau of Social Services, WV Dept. of Health and Human Resources, Capitol Building 6, Room 850, Charleston, WV 25305.

Denial/approval by the Director of Linkage will then be submitted to the State GED Administrator for final approval/denial; the State GED Administrator will sign off and send the information directly to the Chief Examiner.

All of these youth must pass the GED tests while under the control of the group care facility; otherwise, the Examinees must qualify under the State testing policy guidelines to complete testing or to re-test, unless otherwise court ordered.

The Official School Information Form, Alternative School Verification, Official Home-Schooled Information Form and the Official Seventeen Year Old Additional Information Form can be obtained from your local GED Examiner or WV State GED Administrator.

Any questions regarding the GED Testing in West Virginia may be directed to:
Debra Kimbler, GED Administrator
West Virginia Department of Education
1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East
Building 6, Room 250
Charleston, WV 25305
Phone: 304-558-6315
Fax: 304-558-4874