High school education is compulsory in North Carolina up until the age of 16. As a result, no student younger than 16 can take the GED test and earn a GED diploma. Instead students who are younger than 16 must attend public, private or home school, and work towards a standard high school diploma. Students who drop out of high school before they turn 16 will not be allowed to take the GED test, and are supposed to be re-enrolled in school.
Students who have turned 16 are legally no longer required by the state to attend school. Students who are aged 16 years or 17 years can take the GED test if they meet specific requirements. These students must have officially withdrawn from a school within the state of North Carolina. Additionally, a minor's GED application for testing must be accompanied by a notarized petition from the student's parent or legal guardian; this petition must include the student's residence, birth date, the last school where the student attended, the date the student withdrew, and the relationship between the petitioner and the student. If a student applies to take the GED test six months after official withdrawal from high school then no additional paperwork is needed. If a student wants to take his/her GED test within six months of withdrawal from high school, then that student must also present a waiver from the local superintendent of the public school district, or the head administrator at the private or home school where the student last attended.
After turning 18, people who have not received a standard high school diploma can take the GED at anytime, no matter how old they become. To take the test though, individuals must present a valid photo ID, and their social security number. Those who want to take the GED for the first time must also pass the GED pre-test before being allowed to take the official GED test.