California High School Proficiency Exam

The California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) is an early-exit exam for high school students in California. Students who pass the CHSPE receive a Certificate of Proficiency from the State of California. All persons and institutions subject to California law that require a high school diploma for any purpose must accept the certificate as an equivalency to a Californian high school diploma.

Students who are in the second semester of their sophomore year (and aged 15 or over) in high school, or 16 years old, or those that have enrolled in the 10th grade for two semesters or more. There is no upper age limit. This exam only pertains to the high school curriculum in California, and may or may not apply to other states. Therefore, a student must check to see if their college of choice outside of California will accept such a test. It is offered twice every six months, and its cost is $110 if on or before the 'Regular Registration' deadline, $135 if on or before the 'Late Registration' deadline, or $160 if on or before the 'Emergency Registration' deadline.

Those that have taken the CAHSEE (the California High School Exit Exam, required of all high school students to graduate in California) will find the CHSPE very similar in format, with a longer exam and more difficult questions.

Upon passing the exam, the student has an opportunity to head straight to a community college. (However, as with any student entering community college, assessment tests may be required upon entry to determine the student's English and math ability in order to place the student in the appropriate classes.) If a student is under 18 and succeeds in passing the exam, the student may not leave high school unless their parent or guardian consents. The CHSPE eliminates the need for minors to get a work permit before being employed, but is not otherwise considered "emancipation", and laws regulating minors still apply.

All persons and institutions subject to California law that require a high school diploma for any purpose must accept the CSHPE certificate as satisfying the requirement. The U.S. military policy on the CHSPE varies depending on the branch of the armed forces applied to and the position.

Anyone who satisfies the age and/or grade requirements is eligible to take the exam, even if they are still enrolled in high school. Students who have taken and passed the CHSPE must continue education in their current high school unless they have verified parent/guardian ratify permission to stop attending school, usually using a notarized document. Those who have left high school but are still under 18 can return to high school if they meet re-enrollment requirements.

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