For Washington residents age 19 or older, all that is needed to take the GED test is government-issued identification. Acceptable identification includes anything issued by the government with a photograph, signature, name and date of birth. Driver's licenses and passports, or state-issued identification cards are acceptable.
Teenagers age 16 to 18 can take the GED test in Washington state if they meet certain criteria. The teenager must not be enrolled in high school, and must have a good reason for not being enrolled. Whether a withdrawal from high school is justifiable or not depends on the discretion of the local school district. The school district provides high school release forms to those eligible. The high school release form must be brought to the GED testing center when registering for the test.
There are a few special circumstances that can qualify an otherwise ineligible teenager to take the GED. Being in the armed forces eliminates the need for a high school release form. Completing a home-based school may also qualify a teenager to take the GED, as long as the parent or instructor signs a completion form in accordance with home school requirements. People age 16 to 18 may also bypass the high school release form if being detained in a court-ordered jail or rehabilitation program.
Anyone younger than 16 cannot take the GED test in Washington state. The GED test can only be taken three times per calender year, so at any age a failing test score may postpone future attempts. Anyone who is not an official resident of Washington is also ineligible to take the Washington GED test.