R277-702-4. Eligibility for HSE Testing

(1) Any individual may take a Utah HSE exam regardless of state of residency. (2) A candidate for the HSE exam: (a) shall be at least 16 years of age when of registration for the exam; and (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) A 16-year-old candidate shall submit a completed state of Utah HSE Candidate and Adult Education Eligibility Form, which shall include: (a) verification in a manner approved by the Superintendent that the candidate is not enrolled in a school; (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 (c) signed acknowledgment from the candidate's parent or guardian specifically stating that the candidate and parent or guardian: (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 (ii) authorize the candidate to take an HSE exam; and (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) 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) 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) 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: (a) verification in a manner approved by the Superintendent that the candidate is not enrolled in school; and (b) the signature of the candidate's parent or guardian authorizing the test. (7) A candidate may submit a marriage certificate in lieu of the requirement contained in Subsection (5)(b) if the candidate is married. (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) 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.