California Proficiency Program

About the Test

Registration is now 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 for language arts and mathematics to measure proficiency.

Students may take the CPP with paper-pencil or on a computer at a testing center, or at home, online, with live proctoring. (Note: paper-pencil tests are only available at testing centers). The CPP tests are offered in English and Spanish.

HiSET-Proficiency will be the first test in the new CPP. To prepare for the HiSET-Proficiency, please visit the HiSET Test Prep Resources webpage to access prep materials to study for the mathematics and language arts subtests. Both vendors provide a list of testing accommodations, test specifications, and testing locations on their webpages.

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 which 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 their career.

For students who take computer-based tests, reading and mathematics scores are typically accessible within three business days and within five business days for the writing scores. For students who take paper-based tests, official scores are generally available within seven to ten business days after PSI receives a scoreable answer sheet. However, the writing scores are typically accessible between ten and fourteen business days after PSI receives a scoreable answer sheet.

Upon successfully completing all the subtests of the HiSET-Proficiency, students can access their eTranscripts within 48 hours through their myHiSET account. However, it may take up to 14 weeks for students to receive their California Certificate of Proficiency and Official Transcript and Score Report via mail. To ensure timely delivery of these documents, students are advised to verify and update their mailing address in their myHiSET account before taking their last subtest.

To request a duplicate HiSET-Proficiency transcript(s) in 2024 and thereafter, order at your myHiSET account .

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.

Administration Documents

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.