Guidelines for Proper Referential Use of the GED® Trademark
by Third Parties
GED®, GED TESTING SERVICE®, and GED READYTM are trademarks owned by American Council on
Education (“ACE”). GED Testing Service LLC (“GED Testing Service”), as the exclusive licensee of
these marks, administers and polices the GED® brand and related trademarks on behalf of ACE. GED
Testing Service requires all third parties using or referencing the term “GED” (the “GED Trademark”)
to comply with these guidelines, unless otherwise provided in a written license agreement between
ACE or GED Testing Service and the third party. Failure to comply with these guidelines may
constitute trademark infringement and unfair competition in violation of federal and state laws.
Any use of the term “GED,” regardless of the context, constitutes a use of the GED Trademark
that is subject to these guidelines. These guidelines cannot anticipate every potential use of the
GED trademark. Even in instances where pre-approval is not required, we encourage you to send any
materials using the GED Trademark to us to ensure that you have complied with these guidelines.
Consistent with the trademark fair use doctrine, third parties may use the GED Trademark to refer to
the GED® test or the GED® test credential provided that they comply with the following provisions:
General Guidelines

Your company or brand name should always appear on your product or materials in a manner
and size that will immediately identify you as the source of the product or service.

GED® should always be used as an adjective that is followed by the registration symbol and a
generic term or phrase and only to describe a particular test and testing services offered by
GED Testing Service. The following are some examples of proper uses of the GED®
trademark:
-
GED® test
GED® testing program
GED® test credential
GED® test preparation materials
NOTE: Avoid using GED® as a noun. For example, statements such as, “The fast path to
getting your GED” should be replaced with “The fast path to passing the GED® test.”

A superscript registration symbol should always be used in conjunction with the GED trademark
(GED®), except as otherwise provided in these guidelines.

The following notice (“Standard Disclaimer”) should appear in a legible font and color on any
materials or websites where the GED Trademark is used:
“GED® is a registered trademark of the American Council on Education (ACE) and
administered exclusively by GED Testing Service LLC under license. This material [or
content] is not endorsed or approved by ACE or GED Testing Service.”
GED® and GED Testing Service® are registered trademarks of the American Council on Education (“ACE”). They may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of
ACE or GED Testing Service. The GED® and GED Testing Service® brands are administered by GED Testing Service LLC under license from the American Council on Education.

Do not use any possessive or plural form of the GED Trademark.
Correct: The GED® test question was difficult.
Incorrect: The GED’s question was difficult.
Correct: The students all got their GED® test credentials.
Incorrect: The students all got their GEDs.

Do not use the GED Trademark in a manner that suggests or implies that you or your product is
endorsed by, affiliated with, or sponsored by ACE or GED Testing Service, unless otherwise
licensed to do so by ACE or GED Testing Service.

Do not place more emphasis on the GED Trademark than the surrounding text or marks.

Do not use any GED® logos, logotypes, trade dress or other brand elements in connection with
products, packing, manuals, advertising material, or websites for any purpose.

Do not modify the GED Trademark (e.g., Pre-GED) or use logos or other designs that
incorporate the GED Trademark.

Do not use, claim ownership of, or attempt to register any trademarks, logos, or brands that
contain the GED Trademark as a component (e.g., “GED Master” or “GED Excel”).

Do not use the GED Trademark in any manner which suggests ownership by a third party (e.g.,
[Publisher’s Name]’s GED).

Do not use the GED Trademark in the name or dba of your company (e.g., GED Publishing,
Inc.).

Do not use the GED Trademark as part of a job title, unless otherwise licensed to do so by ACE
or GED Testing Service (e.g., GED Administrator, GED Proctor, or GED Coordinator)

Do not use the GED Trademark as a generic term for “high school equivalency examination,”
“high school diploma,” or similar exam or credential which has not been authorized or accredited
by the appropriate governmental authorities.

Do not use the GED Trademark adjacent to the term “online” or in a manner to falsely suggest
that the GED® test may be taken online or a GED® test credential may be obtained online.
Correct: “online preparation for the GED® test”
Incorrect: “get your GED online”

Do not use the GED Trademark in combination with, in close proximity to, or on the same cover
or packaging as the words “official,” “authorized,” “original,” or other terms that imply
sponsorship or endorsement by ACE or GED Testing Service, unless otherwise authorized to
resell “GED Ready™ – The Official Practice Test.”

Do not use the GED Trademark in connection with products, services, or materials prepared for
or related to a version of the GED® test that is no longer being offered by ACE or GED Testing
Service.
Special Guidelines for Publication Titles, Products, Programs, Courses, Websites or Mobile
Apps that Contain the GED® Trademark

The name or title of a book, program, application, course or other product should clearly identify
the product or service and/or you as the source of the product or service.

The GED Trademark, a superscript registration symbol (®) and an appropriate generic term
(e.g., “test” or “test credential”) should appear on the same line in the title.
®
GED Testing Service | www.GEDtestingservice.com
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
The GED Trademark should be used in a font equal to or smaller than the other text on the
surrounding page, cover, or packaging. The font should not be displayed in a “bold” font or
color that emphasizes the term over the publisher’s text or marks.
Correct: “[Publisher’s Name]’s Preparation for the GED® Test” [title]
®
Incorrect: GED Preparation Guide [title]

Do not use the GED Trademark in the name for a series of works, unless otherwise licensed to
do so by ACE or GED Testing Service.
Correct: “[Publisher’s Name]’s Test Guides”
Incorrrect: “[Publisher’s Name]’s GED Test Guides” or “GEDMaster Test
Books”

Preparation
The term Pre GED (unhyphenated) should be used only to identify products and programs
aimed at preparing students to achieve the fundamentals or basic skills necessary prior to
preparing for the official GED® test and only in the following format:
Correct: “[Publisher’s Name]’s Pre GED® Test Prep”
Incorrect: “[Publisher’s Name] Pre-GED”

When you reference the GED Trademark, the following notice should appear on (i) the copyright
page of the work and (ii) either the front cover or back cover of publications, materials or
packaging, and on opening or welcome screens of mobile apps, and at the bottom of each
webpage in no smaller than 8 point font:
“This [material OR website or any products or services described on this website] is not
endorsed or approved by ACE or GED Testing Service.”
Note: Publishers are expected to take responsibility to ensure that their authors, editors, licensees
and/or contractors are in compliance with these guidelines as well as with applicable copyright and
trademark laws.
Additional Guidelines for Using the GED Trademark in Relation to Practice Tests

GED Testing Service owns all intellectual property rights related to “GED Ready™ – The
Official Practice Test.”

You may not confuse the public into thinking that a practice test that you publish is an official or
authorized GED® practice test. You may not include a practice test in any product, application,
program, or other material related to the GED® test, unless you comply with the provisions in
these Guidelines and each of the following:

Do not use the GED Trademark adjacent to the term “practice test.”
Correct: “[Publisher’s Name]’s Practice Test for the GED® Test”
Incorrect: “GED® Practice Test” or the “GED® Test Practice Test”

Any practice test must be accompanied by the following disclaimer in a legible font at the
beginning of the practice test:
“This practice test is not related to the GED Ready™ – The Official Practice Test,
produced and distributed by GED Testing Service LLC. GED Testing Service has not
approved, authorized, endorsed, been involved in the development of, or licensed the
substantive content of this practice test.”
®
GED Testing Service | www.GEDtestingservice.com
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
Resellers of the official practice test should reference the GED Ready™ mark consistent with
the following formats:
Headings:
GED Ready™ – The Official Practice Test
GED Ready™: The Official Practice Test
Body copy:
GED Ready™ practice test
Special Guidelines For Using the GED Trademark In Academic Research Papers
Recognizing that the GED® tests and their outcome are frequently studied by academics,
ACE and GED Testing Service acknowledge that the use of the ® after GED in every instance as
recommend above is not feasible. If you use the GED Trademark in academic research papers only,
you must comply with the following in lieu of those specified in Section I of the guidelines:

The superscript registration symbol (®) must follow the GED trademark in the following
circumstances:
o
o
o
o

In the title, if the GED Trademark is used in the title of the report or paper;
When the GED Trademark is first used on the inside cover page, if any;
When the GED Trademark is first used in the body of the report; and
When the GED Trademark is first used in each chapter or section of the report, if any.
Both the Standard Disclaimer and the following additional disclaimer must appear on (i) the
copyright notice page, if any (in no smaller than 8 point font) and (ii) in a footnote or endnote
after the first reference of the GED Trademark in text:
“[Name of author] and this work are not affiliated with or endorsed by ACE or GED
Testing Service LLC. Any reference to “GED” in the title or body of this work is not
intended to imply an affiliation with, or sponsorship by, ACE, GED Testing Service LLC,
or any other entity authorized to provided GED® branded goods or services.”
***********
ACE and GED Testing Service LLC reserve their right to take any action against any entities, products,
domain names, or websites that do not comply with these guidelines, including, without limitation,
entities or materials that (i) are promoted or advertised in any manner suggesting that it is authorized or
endorsed by ACE or GED Testing Service LLC, (ii) include misrepresentations about the GED ® test or
test credential or the products or services that it offers, (iii) use the GED trademark in a generic
manner, or (iv) use the GED trademark in a manner which is likely to deceive or mislead the public.
Trademark Review and Approval
Please send an electronic color copy of your proposed content or materials, including the front and
back cover and the spine, in a .pdf or .jpg format, to trademarks@GEDTestingService.com.
Review response time is approximately ten to fifteen (10-15) business days.
Trademark Permission Requests
The trademarks and logos used on the GED Testing Service website and in publications, marketing
and other branding materials are owned by ACE.
®
GED Testing Service | www.GEDtestingservice.com
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If you are seeking permission to use any ACE trademarks, logos, service marks, trade dress, slogans
or other brand features, then please submit your request to trademarks@GEDTestingService.com.
Your request must include a specific description of the materials or content in which ACE trademarks
will appear.
You will typically receive a response within ten business days. If your request is approved, that
approval will be expressly subject to usage guidelines as well as additional terms set forth in the
notification of approval and trademark permission agreement.
®
GED Testing Service | www.GEDtestingservice.com
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Examples of Proper and Improper Uses of the GED® Trademark in
Product Titles or Names
Proper Use
PROPER Informational Use
WHY THIS IS RIGHT. . .
"EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO SUCCEED ON THE GED
TEST"
®
GED is followed by the "®" symbol and properly used as an
adjective modifying a generic noun (TEST).
®
GED is used properly to refer to the brand of TEST.
®
[PUBLISHER NAME] PREP-KIT FOR THE GED TEST
The publisher is clearly the source or origin of the Product
(PREP-KIT)
GED is properly followed by the "®" symbol and the generic
term TEST.
GED is used properly to refer to the brand of TEST.
®
"ACE THE GED TEST!"
"from [Publisher's Name or Logo]"
GED is properly followed by the "®" symbol and the generic
term TEST.
GED is used properly to refer to the brand of TEST.
The publisher's name is prominently displayed as the source
of the publication.
®
PRE GED TEST PREP
GED is properly followed by the "®" symbol and the generic
term TEST.
GED is used properly to refer to the brand of TEST.
Improper Use
®
IMPROPER Use of the GED Trademark
WHY THIS IS WRONG ...
"GED CRAM COURSE"
GED is used incorrectly as a brand name for the publisher's
CRAM COURSE
"Get your GED online fast!"
®
GED is not being used properly to refer to the GED [brand of]
TEST
The subtitle uses "GED" as a noun instead of as a proper
®
adjective followed by a generic term (e.g. GED TEST).
®
The subtitle may mislead consumers to believe that the GED
®
test may be taken online or a GED test credential may be
obtained online
"THE NEW GED PRACTICE WORKBOOK"
"Contains 16 Full-Length GED tests"
GED is more prominent and eye-catching than the rest of the
title.
GED is used incorrectly as a brand for the publisher's
workbook.
®
GED is not being used properly to refer to the GED [brand of]
TEST.
"Full-length GED tests" without "simulated" or "based on" may
mislead consumers to believe these are authentic full-length,
copyrighted tests of GED Testing Service LLC.
®
GED Testing Service | www.GEDtestingservice.com
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®
IMPROPER Use of the GED Trademark
WHY THIS IS WRONG ...
PRE-GED SKILL WORKBOOK
GED has been modified and is being used incorrectly as part
of the product brand name and/or a product category.
®
"BEAT THE GED !"
GED is used incorrectly alone as a noun instead of as a
®
proper adjective followed by a generic term (e.g. GED TEST).
®
"MAXIMIZE YOUR SCORES WITH GED TUTOR"
GED is being used incorrectly as part of the product brand
name "GED® TUTOR."
GED is not being used as an informational reference to the
®
GED [brand of] TEST."
®
GED Testing Service | www.GEDtestingservice.com
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