OAR 589-007-0400: Oregon GED® Program and Certificates of High School Equivalency

(1) For the purpose of this rule: (a) Certificate of High School Equivalency (“Certificate”) means a certificate issued to an individual upon the successful completion of the GED® test series, that demonstrates the individual is recognized as having achieved high school equivalency. (b) GED® test staff means an individual located at a GED® test center with responsibility for duties related to GED® testing. (c) GED® test center means a location approved by the provider of the GED® test series to offer GED® testing. (2) The 2014 Series GED® test is a measure of high school equivalency and includes the following areas: (a) Reasoning through language arts; (b) Social studies; (c) Science; (d) Mathematical reasoning. (3) Applicant Testing Eligibility Requirements. An applicant must meet the following requirements to take the GED® test in Oregon. (a) The applicant must have valid state or government issued photo identification. Oregon residency is not required. (b) The applicant must meet one of the following age requirements: (A) The applicant is at least 18 years of age at the time the applicant takes the test. (B) The applicant is at least 16 years of age, but less than 18 years of age, at the time the applicant takes the test and has secured permission from applicant’s parent or legal guardian to take the test. The Office may exempt an applicant experiencing homelessness from the parental or legal guardian permission requirement. (C) The applicant is at least 16 years of age at the time the applicant takes the test and is legally married. (D) The applicant is at least 16 years of age at the time the applicant takes the test and is legally emancipated, as provided by ORS 419B.550-419B.558. (c) The applicant, or a third-party on behalf of the applicant, must pay the test fee. (d) Previous high school enrollment is not required. (4) To obtain the Certificate of High School Equivalency, an applicant must achieve a minimum standard score set by GED® test and the Office. (5) Certificate issuance: (a) The individual who passes the GED® test may request one free copy of their Certificate of High School Equivalency and transcript. A fee will be charged to the GED® test candidate for additional copies of the GED® test transcript and certificate. (b) Test scores are accepted as official only when reported directly by official GED® testing centers or the official provider of the GED® test. (6) Previous high school enrollment is not required for an applicant to be eligible to receive a Certificate of High School Equivalency. (7) The State of Oregon may use a third-party vendor to administer the GED ® test, the receipt and reporting of scores, and other provisions of the GED ® testing program. ( 8 ) GED ® test staff and GED® test centers shall be approved by the official provider of the GED® test to provide testing services in consultation with the Office when the following have been documented: (a) Need for a new testing site in a specific region or location; (b) The center meets all test center requirements described in the GED ® Program Policy Manual published by the official provider of the GED® test of the American Council on Education. ( 9 ) The annual contract between GED® test centers and the official provider of the GED® test , as well as agreements between the Office and the official provider of the GED® test shall ensure that all state and national requirements shall be met. (10) The GED® test staff shall ensure that the applicant is advised of: (a) Locally available GED® test practice testing and preparation opportunities; (b) Policies, including limitations on retesting procedures; (c) The special GED ® test scores that are required by apprenticeship and some postsecondary educational programs. ( 11 ) GED® test centers shall comply with the requirements of the testing program by refusing to administer tests to those who have not reached complied with the applicant testing eligibility requirements in this rule. ( 12 ) The Office oversees GED ® tests to individuals confined to state correctional and health institutions . [Publications: Publications referenced are available from the agency.]