North Carolina’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Diploma program offers instruction to prepare learners to successfully pass a designated high school equivalency assessment. The three nationally-recognized assessments used to obtain a state-issued High School Equivalency diploma in North Carolina are GED®, HiSET® and TASC.

Please note that students 16-17 years of age must contact the HSE Chief Examiner at their local community college to request drop-release paperwork to be eligible to take high school equivalency assessments in North Carolina.

For information about GED, HiSET and TASC, click on the icons below.

The three nationally-recognized assessments used to obtain a state-issued High School Equivalency credential in North Carolina are GED®, HiSET® and TASC.  All three High School Equivalency assessments are recognized by US Department of Education USDOE GEN-14-16 and cover the same content areas. Passing the complete battery of any one of the assessments will lead to the same High School Equivalency Diploma issued by the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges.

HiSET® testing is the only high school equivalency assessment administered at the North Carolina Department Public Safety adult correctional facilites.

Please note that all high school equivalency testing options may not be available at all community colleges and that some restrictions apply.