National External Diploma Program (NEDP) FAQ
A pathway to earn a NYS High School Equivalency Diploma.
On May 17, 2016, the New York State Board of Regents approved an amendment to Commissioner's Regulation (CR) 100.7 that adds the National External Diploma Program (NEDP) as a third pathway to a New York State High School Equivalency (HSE) Diploma.
What are the entry requirements for NEDP?
- Eligible candidates are individuals who are 18 years of age or older, have lived in New York State for at least 30 days, and are adults or out-of-school youth lacking a high school or high school equivalency diploma.
- Prescreening measures include the successful completion of requisite CASAS Diagnostic Assessments demonstrating a 9th grade level of equivalency and/or comparable equivalency using assessments required by an NEDP provider agency.
- Qualified candidates will sign the New York State NEDP Client Agreement to ensure the client fully understands the time and communication needed to complete all competencies.
How long does it take to complete the program?
The length of time it takes to complete NEDP and receive a New York State High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma is directly dependent on the amount of independent work the client does each week, and the rate at which they move through the eight required competency areas. With continual and sustained effort, active clients routinely complete NEDP in 6-12 months, or about 130 hours on average.
Additional Information for Current NEDP Agencies:
- Requirements for Agencies Delivering NEDP:
- NYSED Letters and Field Memoranda:
- NEDP Memo - EPE Support for NEDP (January 28, 2019)
- Letter to New York State Approved Agencies and Participating Schools (August 26, 2016)
- Letter to Superintendents (August 11, 2016)