New York State Standard High School Graduation Requirements

To earn a Regents diploma, students need to complete a total of 22.5 credits and pass five Regents exams. To earn an Advanced Regents diploma, students need to complete a total of 22.5 credits and pass a minimum of eight Regents exams.

For the most complete information on all general education and diploma requirements, please read the NYS Diploma Requirements pdf.

Regents Diploma
NYS Education Department Mandates 
(22.5 credits and obtain passing grade on 5 Regents exams)

Advanced Regents Diploma
NYS Education Department Mandates 
(22.5 credits and obtain passing grade on a minimum of 8 Regents exams)

Regents Exams

A passing grade is 65% or higher. Regents exams are given in English, US History, Global History, Mathematics, and Science. Students who complete all tests with an average score of 90% or higher may be awarded a Regents diploma with Honors.

Advanced Regents Diploma

Students complete extra exams to earn a Regents diploma with Advanced Designation. Students must pass two extra exams in Mathematics and one extra exam in Science. They must also complete two extra class units of a Foreign Language, unless the state substitution is used.

Alternative Diplomas: Local High School Diploma  

• Students with disabilities who score 55-64 on any of the required Regents examinations may earn a local diploma.  
• Students with disabilities who fail one or more Regents Examinations and who pass the corresponding Regents Competency Test (RCT) will receive a local diploma. This does not apply to students entering grade 9 as of 2011. 
• Students who successfully appeal two Regents Examination scores within three points of the 65 passing score and who meet the other requirements of  the appeals process specified in CR 100.5(d)(7) will earn a local diploma.

Alternative Diplomas: Individualized Education Program (IEP)

Students with disabilities that preclude the successful completion of the standard New York high school diploma requirements can earn an Individualized Education Program (IEP) diploma. Standards for IEP diplomas are designed for each student according to his or her needs. IEP students who take and pass the Regents examinations may earn a local diploma.

A student identified as having a disability which adversely affects the ability to learn a language may be exempted from the LOTE requirements if the student's IEP states that such requirements are not appropriate.