California High School Proficiency Examination

Photo Identification

Acceptable identification must be presented at the time of check-in or you will not be admitted to the test.

Acceptable Forms of Photo Identification

Plan ahead to be certain that you will have acceptable identification with you at check-in or you will not be admitted to the test. The name on your identification must match the name on your Admission Ticket and on the roster at the test site. The photograph must be clearly recognizable as you. The identification must be an original document, not a copy. You must present one of the following exactly as described:

• Official Photo Identification: Must be issued by your school, employer, or city/state/federal government. Both your name and current, recognizable photograph must appear. Acceptable examples include:
  • driver license
  • passport
  • photo identification card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles
  • computer generated driver permit with photo, issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles
  • U.S. military photo ID card
  • high school photo ID card
  • post-secondary school photo ID Card
  • bus pass or employer ID card with photo
  • U.S. or a foreign government photo ID Card


• School Letter of Identification with Photo: An official letter of identification that meets all the following criteria:
  • Is on school letterhead or an official school computer-generated printout that shows the school's name, address, and phone number.
  • Is signed by one of the following officials at your school: principal, director, vice principal, counselor, registrar, or site administrator identified on your school's Private School Affidavit (R-4) or statement in liew of the Affidavit file with the California Department of Education. The school official may not be a relative unless you school has a current R-4 or statement in liew of the Affidavit.
  • Shows your printed name and birth date.
  • Has attached a recent, recognizable, individual photograph of you with the school seal or the school officials signature across a portion of the photograph.
  • Has been signed by you in ink in the presence of the school official.
  • Has been signed by the school official in ink. Printed, stamped, or photocopied signatures are not acceptable.

  You will be required to sign the letter again on the test day in the presence of the testing staff. For a sample school identification letter that may be printed out on your school letterhead, click on the picture to the left.

Unacceptable Forms of Identification

Only the forms of identification described above are acceptable. Examples of unacceptable forms of identification include the following, regardless of whether or not they include your photo:

• amusement park pass
• ski pass
• membership card (e.g., health club, club store)
• birth certificate
• Social Security card
• credit card
• traffic ticket
• police report documenting a stolen wallet
• yearbook
• notarized statement
• photocopied identification