CAEC Eligibility: Who Can Take It and How to Register

Who the CAEC Is For

The CAEC is built for adult learners who did not complete a high school diploma and want a credential that demonstrates high school level skills. People take it for many reasons, including:

• applying to a college or trades program
• meeting a job or apprenticeship requirement
• qualifying for a promotion or a career change
• finishing something they started years ago

You do not need any previous diploma to begin. What matters is that you can demonstrate the core academic skills the tests measure, which is exactly what studying and practice are for. If you are still deciding whether the CAEC is the right path, our overview of how the CAEC compares to the old GED is a good place to start.

Eligibility Varies by Province

There is no single national rulebook for who can sit the CAEC. The exact requirements, including age and residency, are set by the education ministry or authorized testing provider in your province or territory. That means the answer can be different in Ontario than it is in Alberta or Nova Scotia.

Here are the kinds of requirements you should expect to confirm locally:

For a province by province breakdown of where and how to sign up, see our guide to CAEC registration by province. To plan your budget, our breakdown of CAEC exam costs and fees by province walks through what you can expect to pay.

How to Register: The General Steps

While the details vary, the path to registering for the CAEC usually follows the same shape. The tests are delivered on an online platform, in English and French. Most candidates move through these steps:

1. Find your provincial provider. Start at your provincial education website to identify the authorized CAEC testing provider in your area.
2. Confirm you are eligible. Check the age, residency, and ID requirements before you spend time or money.
3. Create a candidate account. You will set up an account on the testing platform using your legal name and a valid email address.
4. Choose your tests and schedule. Select which of the five subject tests to take and book a date. You can usually take them one at a time rather than all at once.
5. Pay the required fees. Pay online when you book. Keep your confirmation for your records.

Remember that you must pass each of the five tests, and the passing standard is 55 percent, described as "meets the minimum standard." You do not have to pass them all in one sitting, so many learners tackle one subject at a time as they feel ready.

If You Have Old GED Credits

If you started the GED before the CAEC launched, your earlier results may not be lost. Many provinces created transition policies that let candidates carry completed GED subject results toward a CAEC credential for a limited time.

These transition rules have deadlines, and they vary by province. If this applies to you, read our guide to the GED to CAEC transition and the May 2027 deadline so you do not miss your window, and confirm the specifics with your provincial provider.

Get Ready Before You Register

Registration is only the first step. Once you know you are eligible, the best use of your time is to start studying the skills each test measures. Our free CAEC lessons cover every subject and are organized so you can work through them at your own pace:

• Mathematics Part I and Mathematics Part II
• Reading and Writing
• Science and Social Studies

If you are not sure where to begin, our CAEC study plan lays out a simple week by week approach.