1. (1) Any individual may take a Utah HSE exam regardless of state of residency.

2. (2) A candidate for the HSE exam:

   1. (a) shall be at least 16 years of age when of registration for the exam; and
   2. (b) may not be enrolled in any Utah k-12 school unless enrolled in the Focused Graduation Pathway as described in Rule R277-722.

3. (3) A 16-year-old candidate shall submit a completed state of Utah HSE Candidate and Adult Education Eligibility Form, which shall include:

   1. (a) verification in a manner approved by the Superintendent that the candidate is not enrolled in a school;
   2. (b) verification that the candidate understands and accepts the consequences and educational choices associated with the candidate's withdrawal from a K-12 program of instruction, including the prohibition from returning to a K-12 program anywhere in Utah upon successful passing of an HSE exam; and

   3. (c) signed acknowledgment from the candidate's parent or guardian specifically stating that the candidate and parent or guardian:

      1. (i) understand and accept the consequences and educational choices associated with the candidate's decision to withdraw from a K-12 program of instruction; and
      2. (ii) authorize the candidate to take an HSE exam; and
   4. (d) verification from a representative of a Utah state-sponsored adult education district program that the candidate demonstrates academic competencies to meet with success in passing the HSE exam.
4. (4) A student enrolled in the Focused Graduation Pathway as described in Rule R277-722 may take a Utah HSE exam while enrolled in any participating Utah K-12 school and does not need to submit a completed state of Utah HSE Candidate and Adult Education Eligibility Form.
5. (5) A 16 year-old candidate may provide a marriage certificate in lieu of the requirement of Subsection (3)(c) if the candidate is married.

6. (6) A 17 or 18 year-old candidate whose cohort has not graduated shall submit a state of Utah HSE Candidate and Adult Education Eligibility Form, which shall include:

   1. (a) verification in a manner approved by the Superintendent that the candidate is not enrolled in school; and
   2. (b) the signature of the candidate's parent or guardian authorizing the test.
7. (7) A candidate may submit a marriage certificate in lieu of the requirement contained in Subsection (5)(b) if the candidate is married.
8. (8) An out-of-school youth of school age who has not successfully passed all HSE exam modules shall be allowed to return to a k-12 public school before the time their class graduates with the understanding and expectation that all necessary requirements for the traditional k-12 diploma shall be completed before issuance of a regular high school diploma.
9. (9) An out-of-school youth of school age who has received a Utah high school completion diploma is not eligible to return to a k-12 public school unless it is required for provision of a free appropriate public education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C., Chapter 33.

KEY: adult education, educational testing, student competency

Date of Last Change: February 7, 2025

Notice of Continuation: December 2, 2021

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: Art X Sec 3; 53E-3-501(1)(b); 53E-3-401