Credential Verification
How to Verify a GED: A Guide for HR Teams and Admissions Officers
GED verification doesn't work like college degree verification. There's no National Student Clearinghouse equivalent. Here's where the records actually live — and how to get a confirmed result.
Key takeaway
GED records are held by the state where the test was taken, not a national database. Verification goes through the GED Testing Service's online portal (ged.com) or directly through the state's department of education. You need the candidate's name, date of birth, and signed consent before requesting.
Why GED verification is different
For college degrees, the National Student Clearinghouse covers roughly 97% of US institutions and provides instant digital verification. GED verification has no equivalent. Records are decentralized — held by each state's department of education or the GED Testing Service depending on when and where the test was taken.
This means verification requires knowing which state issued the credential, navigating that state's specific process, and in some cases waiting days or weeks for a response. States vary significantly in how they handle requests: some have online portals, others require written requests, and a few still rely on manual fax or email processes.
The good news: once you know the right channel for the right state, the process is straightforward. And fake GED credentials — while they exist — are detectable through the same source-verification approach that works for any fraudulent document.
The two verification channels
1. GED Testing Service (ged.com)
The GED Testing Service administers the current GED exam and maintains records for tests taken since the testing transitioned to computer-based format. Employers and institutions can verify credentials through the GED Testing Service's online portal at ged.com.
To verify through this channel, you'll need:
- —The candidate's full name (including name used at time of testing)
- —Date of birth
- —Approximate year and location of testing
- —Written consent from the candidate (required under FCRA for employment purposes)
2. State department of education
For older credentials — particularly those earned before the computer-based GED era — records may exist only with the state. Each state maintains its own archive of GED credentials issued under its jurisdiction.
Contact the adult education or GED office of the state where the test was taken. Many states now offer online lookup tools; others still require a written request by email or mail. Most state processes require:
- —Candidate's name at time of testing
- —Full date of birth
- —Last four digits of Social Security Number
- —Year and location of testing
- —Signed release from the candidate
- —Official business email address for the requesting organization
Step-by-step verification workflow
- 1
Get candidate consent
Required under FCRA before any education verification for employment purposes. A standalone disclosure and authorization form is the standard approach. Many employers capture this during the offer stage.
- 2
Identify the state where the GED was taken
Ask the candidate directly if not on file. The state determines which channel to use. If the candidate doesn't know, the GED Testing Service portal can often locate records regardless of state.
- 3
Try the GED Testing Service portal first
Visit ged.com and use the verification or transcript request process. This works for credentials in the GED Testing Service database — generally tests taken in the computer-based era (post-2014).
- 4
If not found, contact the state department of education
Search "[state] GED verification" or "[state] department of education GED records" to find the correct contact. Use the state's official .gov domain — not the information from the applicant's documents.
- 5
Document the result
Record the verification source, date, and result — confirmed, not found, or pending. "Not found" means investigation, not conclusion: older records, name changes, or data gaps can prevent a match on a legitimate credential.
Turnaround times by channel
| Channel | Typical turnaround | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| GED Testing Service (ged.com) | Minutes to 24 hours | Tests taken post-2014 (computer-based) |
| State online portal (where available) | Instant to 24 hours | States with modern lookup tools (e.g., Wisconsin) |
| State email/fax request | 5–20 business days | Older credentials, states without online tools |
| Third-party background check service | 24–72 hours (automated) | High-volume hiring; handles state routing automatically |
How GED credentials appear on background checks
Standard employment background checks display GED credentials identically to traditional high school diplomas — typically as "Secondary Education Verified" or "High School Education Completed." The report does not indicate whether the credential came from a traditional diploma or a GED test.
Under EEOC guidelines and most state employment laws, employers cannot legally discriminate between GED holders and traditional high school graduates when the GED meets the stated job requirement. The background check is designed to confirm credential authenticity, not distinguish between pathways.
Test scores are not released to employers during standard verification — only completion status and date. If GPA or score information is specifically required, the candidate must request an official transcript and provide it directly.
Spotting a fake GED
Fraudulent GED certificates are less common than diploma mill degrees but they exist — particularly websites that sell novelty or "replacement" documents that look official but aren't. Signs that a GED credential warrants additional scrutiny:
Credential not found through GED Testing Service or state database
A legitimate credential should appear in at least one official source. Not found is a flag, not a conclusion — but follow up with the state directly before dismissing.
Diploma lists a state that doesn't match the candidate's history
If the credential says it was issued in a state the candidate has no apparent connection to, ask for an explanation before requesting verification from that state.
Certificate issued by a private "GED school" or test center
Official GED credentials are issued by state education agencies or the GED Testing Service — not private schools, online test prep companies, or "accredited GED programs." A certificate from a private entity claiming GED equivalency is not the same as a GED.
Document purchased online or from a novelty diploma site
Numerous websites sell "official-looking" GED diplomas for $20–$50. These are not real credentials and will not appear in any official database. They're increasingly sophisticated in appearance but fail source verification immediately.
GED vs HiSET vs TASC: what to know
The GED is the most widely recognized high school equivalency credential, but it's not the only one. Some states use alternatives:
- HiSET— Offered in many states as an alternative to GED. Issued by ETS. Verification through hiset.ets.org or the issuing state's education department.
- TASC— Formerly offered by Data Recognition Corporation. Discontinued in 2022. For older TASC credentials, contact the state education department where the test was taken.
All three are recognized as equivalent to a high school diploma for most employment and educational purposes. Verification follows the same state-sourced approach for each.
Need to verify a high school or secondary institution?
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