To Request a California High School Proficiency Exam Certification Letter
To place an order for a CHSPE Certification Letter for yourself, an employer, or a university please visit the HiSET CHSPE Online Store
.
The CHSPE was the California proficiency test from 1974 to 2023.
About the Test
Registration is open for the California Proficiency Program (CPP)! Please visit the HiSET-Proficiency registration page
for further instructions.
The CPP has replaced the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) established by California Education Code Section 48412. The CPP utilizes the State Board of Education-approved HiSET®subtests in language arts and mathematics to measure proficiency.
Students may take the CPP at a testing center with paper and pencil or on a computer. Paper and pencil testing is only available at select testing sites. Please visit the HiSET web page
to view a list of testing centers. Students may also take the CPP online, at home, with live proctoring. The CPP is offered in English and Spanish.
To prepare for the HiSET-Proficiency, please visit the
HiSET Test Prep Resources
web page to access prep materials to study for the mathematics and language arts subtests. For further information on testing accommodations, test specifications, and testing locations, please visit the HiSET CPP web page
.
After passing the language arts and mathematics subtests of the proficiency program, the student will earn a State Board of Education issued Certificate of Proficiency, that is the legal equivalent to a high school diploma issued by the state of California. After passing the CPP, the student may choose to remain in high school or exit with a parent or guardian’s permission to begin attending higher education or start their career.
For students that take the computer-based test, reading and mathematics scores are typically accessible within three business days and within five business days for the writing scores. For students that take the paper-based test, official scores are generally available within seven to ten business days after HiSET receives a scoreable answer sheet. However, the writing scores are typically available between 10 and 14 business days after HiSET receives a scoreable answer sheet. For more information on what to expect after passing the CPP please visit the HiSET CPP web page
.
Once a student has taken the CPP, passed both language arts and mathematics subtests and exited high school, they may choose to take the remaining HiSET-Equivalency subtests in science and social studies to earn their California High School Equivalency Certificate, which opens even more doors than the Certificate of Proficiency alone. Use the following link to learn more about the High School Equivalency Certificate.
Transcript / Certificate Verifications
For Test Takers
- Upon successful completion of the HiSET-Proficiency, test takers may access their results electronically within 48 hours by logging into their MyHiSET account to view their Comprehensive Score Report.
- Passers will receive an electronic passer letter sent to the email address used to create their MyHiSET account one week after passing the exam.
- Test takers will receive their official Certificate of Proficiency and Transcript through mail approximately one month after completing the test. The credentials will be mailed to the address used to create their MyHiSET Account. Before completing the last subtest, ensure the address is correct and with an applicable apartment numbers.
- To order a duplicate HiSET-Proficiency Credential from the HiSET PSI Online Store
.
On behalf of a Test Taker
- Prospective Employers and Academic Institutions may place an order for a CPP Verification Letter by visiting the HiSET PSI Online Store
.
Proficiency Program Administration Documents
What is the California Proficiency Program?(PDF)
The CPP California Education Code and Regulations can be found on the CPP Administration Documents web page.
Homeless and Foster Youths Waiver
Homeless Certification Form (PDF)
The Homeless Certification Form is to be used by a homeless child or youth to obtain a fee waiver for the CPP.
Homeless Certification Form Instructions (PDF)
The instructions for the Homeless Certification Form.
Homeless and Foster Youths Flyer (PDF)
Promotional Flyer for Distribution
Who Can Take a Proficiency Test?
Students must meet BOTH of the following criteria:
Students must meet one of the following:
- 16 years of age or older, or
- Enrolled in grade 10 for one school year or longer, or
- Will complete one school year of enrollment in grade 10 at the end of the semester during which the next regular examination will be conducted.
Students must also be currently subject to California’s compulsory education laws pursuant to EC Section 48200, which may be evidenced by one of the following:
- Current enrollment in a California K-12 public high school; or
- Current enrollment in a private school (Registered by filing a private school affidavit with the California Department of Education pursuant to EC Section 33190 and includes but is not limited to students at registered private schools operated by their parents to homeschool their children pursuant to EC Section 48222.); or
- Current work permit issued by the Department of Industrial Relations Division to a student currently working in California; provided that the student is either receiving tutoring pursuant to EC Section 48224 or enrolled in an independent study program under EC Section 51745, to accommodate the student’s work schedule.
Stay Up-To-Date
If you would like to receive email updates about the CPP, send a blank email to join-cpp-updates@mlist.cde.ca.gov.
The Assessment Spotlight web page contains archives of all previous Assessment Spotlight emails. Send a blank email to subscribe-caaspp@mlist.cde.ca.gov to receive regular updates on the latest information about the statewide assessment system.