(A) The department of education shall award a certificate of high school equivalence to each person who achieves the equivalent of a high school education, as measured by scores obtained on a high school equivalency test approved by the department pursuant to division (B) of this section. Each certificate awarded under this section shall be signed by the superintendent of public instruction and the president of the state board of education.Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Revised Code, a person who seeks to obtain a certificate of high school equivalence shall be subject to the requirements of section 3301.81 of the Revised Code.

(B) The department shall approve at least two nationally recognized high school equivalency tests for the purpose of awarding certificates of high school equivalence under this section. For each test approved pursuant to division (B) of this section, the department shall ensure that the scores required for passage are equivalent to the scores required for passage on the other approved equivalency tests.

(C) All of the following shall be considered the equivalent of a certificate of high school equivalence awarded by the department under this section:

(1) A high school equivalence diploma or a certificate of high school equivalence awarded by the state board of education prior to the effective date of this section;

(2) A certificate of high school equivalence issued prior to January 1. 1994. attesting to the achievement of the equivalent of a high school education as measured by scores obtained on tests of general educational development;

(3) A statement issued by a primary-secondary education or higher education agency of another state that indicates that its holder has achieved the equivalent of a high school education as measured by scores obtained on a similar nationally recognized high school equivalency test.

(D) The state board, in consultation with the chancellor of higher education, shall adopt rules to administer this section and section 3301.81 of the Revised Code.

Added by 131st General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 113, §1, eff. 9/14/2016.