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What is the CHSPE?
The California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE) is a voluntary test that assesses
proficiency in basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills taught in public schools. Eligible
persons who pass the CHSPE are awarded a Certificate of Proficiency by the California State Board
of Education. The test is given in English only.
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How can the Certificate of Proficiency be used?
California law requires that the Certificate of Proficiency be equivalent to a high school diploma.
A student who receives a Certificate of Proficiency may, with verified parental approval, leave high
school early. The Certificate of Proficiency, however, is not equivalent to completing all course work
required for regular graduation from high school. If a student is planning to continue his or her studies
in a college or university, they should contact the admissions office of the institution they plan to
attend so that the student may understand that institutions admission requirements including whether
or not the Certificate of Proficiency will be sufficient for admission.
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When can someone take the CHSPE?
The CHSPE is offered three times a year. There is an administration once in each semester and once in
the summer. Check Dates & Locations page for exact dates.
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Where can someone take the CHSPE?
There are over 70 test centers throughout California. Some counties do not include a test center and
other counties have more than one test center. A list of the counties and test areas may be found on the
CHSPE Web site at http://www.chspe.net/registration/locations
or in the Information Bulletin available on the CHSPE Web site at
http://www.chspe.net/registration/bulletin.
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Who may take the CHSPE?
A person may take the CHSPE only if he or she meets one of the following requirements on the test date:
- He or she is at least 16 years old, or
- He or she has been enrolled in the tenth grade for one academic year or longer, or
- He or she will complete one academic year of enrollment in the tenth grade at the end of
the semester during which the CHSPE regular administration (spring or fall) will be conducted.
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How does someone register for the CHSPE?
Individuals must complete and submit a CHSPE Registration Form with proof of eligibility and proper payment.
Registration procedures and a registration form are located in the CHSPE Information Bulletin, which can be
found on the CHSPE Web site at http://www.chspe.net/ registration or by calling (866) 342-4773.
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How do students find out about the CHSPE?
California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Education requires the principal of each school that includes
grades 11 and 12 to distribute to each student in those grades an announcement explaining the CHSPE.
Distribution shall be made in sufficient time to enable interested students to meet all examination
registration requirements for the fall test of that year.
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How do students who receive a Certificate of Proficiency affect the dropout rate?
Students who receive a Certificate of Proficiency are not recorded as dropouts on California
Basic Educational Data System (CBEDS) reports. CHSPE may serve as an alternative to dropping out
of school for students who intend to leave school prior to graduation or for students who have
insufficient credits to graduate.
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How can a district access CHSPE results?
A list of students who passed the CHSPE since April 2004 is available on the CHSPE Web site
at http://www.chspe.net/districts.
In order to obtain a password that will allow a school
district to access this Web site and download school district files, an approved district
representative, such as the district testing coordinator, must complete the CHSPE District
Coordinator Survey (available on the CHSPE Web site at http://www.chspe.net/districts) and
fax this form to Educational Data Systems (EDS). The fax number is 408-776-7696. EDS will
provide the requesting school district representative with a password and downloading
procedures through e-mail.
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How are the General Educational Development (GED) tests different from the CHSPE?
To take the GED a person must be eighteen years old or, under certain circumstances, a
seventeen-year-old may qualify. The GED tests measure a students knowledge in five
content areas including: language arts, reading; language arts, writing; mathematics;
science; and social studies. The tests are given in English, Spanish, and French
throughout the United States and in Canada. A High School Equivalency Certificate is
issued. For more information on the GED, contact your local adult school, community
college, or visit the GED Web site at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/gd.
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How is the California High School Exit Exam different from the CHSPE?
The California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) is a high school graduation requirement
for all public school students beginning in the 2005-2006 school year. The CAHSEE graduation
requirement is mandated by California law and does not allow for students to leave high
school early if they pass. Students who pass the CAHSEE and want to graduate from high
school also must meet all local and state graduation requirements. All California public
school students must first take the CAHSEE in the tenth grade. For more information on
the CAHSEE, speak to your school counselor and/or go to
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/hs.
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What are my options if I do not pass the CHSPE?
You may continue to retake the CHSPE until you pass both sections of the examination.
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Do I need to retake the whole examination if I have passed a section or subtest?
No. You do not have to retake a section or subtest that you have passed.* You may retake any
part of the test you have not passed; that is the Mathematics section, the Reading subtest, and/or
the Language subtest (on the Language subtest, both the writing task and the language multiple-choice
questions must be completed at the same administration.)
*If, in the future, the CHSPE series changes, it is possible that results on the Current CHSPE
will not be combinable with results on the new test series. Results on the CHSPE taken prior to
January 2004 cannot be combined with results on the CHSPE taken after January 2004.
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Is there a limit to the number of times I can retest?
No. There is no limit to the number of times you may take the CHSPE, but you must register and pay the current test fee each time.
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How much does it cost to reregister?
You must complete a Registration Form and pay the total test fee each time you take any section or subtest.
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If I retest, what will be on my score report?
If you retest, your score report will show your most recent performance on the section(s) or subtest(s) you have taken. If you retake a section or subtest that you have previously passed, it will not be scored.
