California High School Proficiency Exam Flyer

Informational flyer for students in grades eleven and twelve.

Alternate formats of this page: CHSPE Flyer (PDF) | CHSPE Flyer - Spanish translation (PDF)

What is the CHSPE?

The California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE) is a voluntary test, given only in English, that assesses proficiency in reading, writing, and mathematics skills. The CHSPE consists of two test sections: mathematics and English language arts (ELA). The ELA section has two subtests (reading and language). Eligible persons who pass both parts of the CHSPE are awarded a Certificate of Proficiency by the State Board of Education.

Who is eligible to take the CHSPE?

You may take the CHSPE only if, on the test date, you meet one of the following criteria:

You are at least sixteen years old
You have been enrolled in grade ten for one academic year or longer.
You will complete one academic year of enrollment in grade ten at the end of the semester during which the next regular administration will be conducted. (Regular administrations are the fall and spring administrations each school year.)

When and Where is the CHSPE offered?

The administration dates for the 2018–19 school year are as follows:

Test Date Saturday Morning	Regular Registration Deadline (Receipt Date)	Late Registration Deadline (Receipt Date)	Emergency Registration Deadline (Receipt Date)	Results Mailed
October 20, 2018	September 21, 2018	October 5, 2018	October 16, 2018	November 23, 2018
March 16, 2019	February 15, 2019	March 1, 2019	March 12, 2019	April 19, 2019
June 15, 2019	May 17, 2019	May 31, 2019	June 11, 2019	July 19, 2019

Most California counties have at least one test administration center. For a list of counties and test centers, go to the CHSPE Test Locations web page in the CHSPE Information Bulletin also available on that web site.

Certificate of Proficiency

California law requires that the Certificate of Proficiency be equivalent to a high school diploma. Institutions that are subject to California law and that require a high school diploma must accept a Certificate of Proficiency. 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. Speak to your school counselor to understand the benefits of the Certificate of Proficiency. This certificate meets the federal financial aid requirement of a high school diploma or equivalent. If you are planning to continue your studies in a college or university, contact the admissions office so that you may understand its requirements and whether or not the CHSPE certificate will be accepted.