Test Centers

How to Become an Approved HSE Testing Center

Per Colorado Revised Statutes 22-33-102(8.5), the Department of Education approves testing centers to administer any State Board-approved High School Equivalency (HSE) exam based on geographic need and testing volume.

To administer HSE exams, testing centers must first be approved by the Department and must also meet the requirements of the test publisher (e.g., the GED or HiSET). Follow these steps to become approved to administer HSE exams:

Complete the HSE Testing Center Application: The Department approves and determines need for new testing sites based on geographic location and testing volume in the region. School districts and schools may be approved testing centers for their students.
- View the map of current HSE Testing Centers in Colorado
- Read the HSE Fact Sheet for basic differences between the two tests
Apply with the test publisher: After your Application with CDE has been approved, begin the application process with the test publisher. The individual test publishers determine the ability of a testing center to meet all requirements to administer the selected exam. Requirements vary by test publisher. See Resources below for links to test center requirements for each publisher.
- Pearson VUE application - for GED test
- PSI application - for HiSET test; choose either or both computer and paper testing
Begin testing! The timeframe for receiving approval from the publishers varies based on your existing site configuration and equipment but can range from 2 to 12 months. If you experience any significant delays or issues during the process, please reach out to Alena Barczak so she can help troubleshoot and expedite issues with the publishers. Once you have met all the requirements of the test publisher, you are ready to begin administering HSE exam(s).

PSI logo

Note: Department-approved testing centers are authorized to provide either HSE exam and do not need additional approval to add new HSE exams. For example, if you are approved to administer the GED and later want to add the HiSET, you do not have to re-apply with CDE; you will simply follow PSI's application process as per step 2 above. That being said, a notification to Alena Barczak will be appreciated so she can support you in the set-up process with the vendor and update her records for your site.

Resources for Testing Centers

DiplomaSender Contact Cards

Print these cards to provide to testers so they know how to order their HSE records. These are business card-sized when printed and cut along perforations.

GED Centers:

GED Program Policy Manual
Pearson VUE Facility Requirements
GED Manager^TM Access Form
Technical Manual
Teaching Resources
Free Classroom Materials
Adult Education Program Toolkit
Pearson VUE's "VSS" portal is for training documents and guides (access granted after site setup).
"ServiceDirect" is a Pearson VUE system for tracking cases/events and managing support for test delivery (access granted after site setup).
Test Center Support Line: 888-344-7924
- Test takers should NOT call this line

HiSET Centers:

HiSET Program Manual and Test Center Requirements
- The Program Manual includes requirements for Chief Examiners and Test Administrators, plus comprehensive information for both computer and paper testing.
Use the Resource Library to find:
- Training materials for computer and paper testing - "Test Center Toolkit" tab
- Several test center how-tos - "Test Center Toolkit" tab
- Resources for educators in the HiSET classroom - "Educator Toolkit" tab
- Marketing materials - "Marketing Toolkit" tab
Test Center Staff Update Form
Help/Contact Request Form for Test Centers - This form is submitted to Colorado's Regional Site Supervisor
PSI's Test Center Help Desk phone number: 844-562-0512
- For TCA Portal login help; issues that occur during an exam; and assistance with PSI’s Test Delivery Platform (GPS)
- Test takers should NOT call this line

Contact:

Alena Barczak

High School Equivalency Coordinator

303-548-8427