Additional Information on the ACT Test Registration Requirements
Approximately 1.4 million high school seniors took the ACT in 2024. The ACT assesses your readiness for college and is available to applicants aged 13 and above. A good ACT score can open doors to globally ranked universities and scholarships.
If you’re planning to take the ACT soon, you’ll need to register for it within the given deadline. ACT test registration takes about 30 minutes and requires internet access, a payment method, and your high school course information.
In this guide, we explain how to register for the ACT, as well as what ID you’ll need to bring on test day.
Understanding ACT Test Registration Requirements
The ACT test registration process is easy to follow. You will need to:
Visit the official ACT website and create an account. You’ll use this account to manage your registration, select test dates and locations, and view your score reports.
Pick a test date and center that works best for your schedule. Be sure to register early, as spots can fill up quickly. Online testing may also be an option.
Fill in your details, including your name, date of birth, and high school. Make sure all information is accurate.
Decide whether you want to take the ACT with or without the writing test, depending on the requirements of the colleges you’re applying to.
Complete your registration by paying the required fee. Fee waivers are available for eligible students, so check if you qualify.
Once you’ve completed the ACT test registration requirements, you will be able to print your admission ticket. Keep it safe—you’ll need it to enter the test center on exam day.
ACT Test Dates and Late Registration Deadlines
Here are the ACT test dates and registration deadlines for the 2025 national test year:
February 8, 2025 (registration deadline: January 3, 2025)
April 5, 2025 (registration deadline: February 28, 2025)
June 14, 2025 (registration deadline: May 9, 2025)
July 12, 2025 (registration deadline: June 6, 2025)
Late registration is usually available for three weeks after the regular deadline, but a $36 late fee will apply. Be sure to mark these dates and register early to secure your spot without extra charges.
What Identification Will I Have to Show at the Test Center?
When you arrive at the test center on the big day, you’ll be required to show acceptable identification before being admitted to the test, in addition to bringing a printed copy of your admission ticket. The ID you present, including any required signatures, must be original, not a photocopy or reproduction. Only the following forms of identification are acceptable. If it’s not on this list, it’s not acceptable, and you will not be admitted to the test.
Remember, you will also need to carry your ACT ID for the examination.
The ACT ID is an eight-digit identification number beginning with a dash. If you’re confused about how to find your ACT ID, don’t hesitate to call ACT test support for assistance. It’s usually located at the bottom and top of the student report on the admission ticket.
Here are a few acceptable forms of identification:
Current (valid) official photo ID: It must be issued by your school or city/state/federal government (such as a driver’s license or passport) on which both your name and photo appear. The names on your photo ID must match the names you provided during the ACT registration.
Letter of identification – must include a photo – issued by your school: It must be individually completed in English and signed in ink by a school official (who may not be a relative) and include all of the following:
Your first and last names must match the names you used when you registered for the ACT.
Your date of birth.
Your gender.
The name of your high school and its location (e.g., city, state).
Your recent, recognizable, individual head-and-shoulders photo is attached to the letter with a raised or inked school seal or school official’s signature in ink overlapping a portion of the photo. Note: Physical description instead of a photo will not be accepted.
You must sign the letter in ink in the presence of the school official.
Download a template you can provide to a school official if you need a school ID letter.
High school transcript with photo issued by your school: It must include a raised or inked school seal, be individually signed in ink by a school official, and include a recent photo with an overlapping school seal or official’s signature. You must also sign the transcript in ink. Note: Transcripts are not accepted as ID at international test centers.
Notarized statement with photo: If you do not have either of the above forms of photo ID, contact a notary public (who may not be a relative). Attach a current photo of yourself to a sworn statement in English that identifies you by first and last names, which must match the names you used when you registered for the ACT. You must sign this statement in ink in the presence of the notary public, who must affix the notary seal or stamp overlapping a portion of the photo.
Download a template you can provide to a notary if you need a notarized statement.
If you present an acceptable school letter or a notarized statement, you must sign it again in the presence of test center staff on test day. They will send it to us to keep in our files.
Unacceptable ACT ID
You will not be admitted if you present any forms of ID other than those listed as acceptable.
The following are examples of unacceptable ACT IDs:
ACT ticket alone
Birth certificate
Charge, bank, check cashing, or credit cards with or without photo
ChildFind ID card
Fishing or hunting license
Graduation picture or family portrait
High school transcript with or without photo
ID issued by an employer
Learner’s driving permit or temporary/replacement driver’s license, if it doesn’t include a photo
Letter of identification without a photo (physical description in lieu of photo is not acceptable)
Organization membership card
A passport or other photo ID so old that the person presenting it cannot be identified
Phone calls to the test center to identify the examinee
Photo ID issued by a business for promotional purposes (e.g., amusement parks)
Photo ID of parents or guardians
Photo with student’s name embossed or printed on the photo by a photographer
Police report of a stolen purse or wallet
Published individual photo
Report card or diploma
Social Security card
Traffic ticket, even with a physical description and signature
Web page with photo
What Happens if You Lose Your Admission Ticket?
We’ve already explained how to find your ACT ID. Once you register for the test, it’s printed on your admission ticket.
However, if you lose your ticket, there’s no reason to worry. Just log in to your ACT account and reprint the document. That’s it! This is probably one of the easiest ways to find the ACT ID.
In case you’ve already registered for the ACT and can’t find your ACT ID number, reach out to the ACT for help without delay.
Get in Touch with Our Private ACT Tutors
Now that you know the ACT test registration requirements, where to find your ACT ID, and what additional identification you need to carry to the test center, you’re good to go! Remember to be calm and take one step at a time. This way, you won’t miss out on important things. Also, don’t forget to browse these ACT study tips to prepare for the exam.
Is this your first time taking the ACT? The ACT test is evolving every day, and tutoring can be a great way to supplement your preparation. At Score at the Top, our experienced tutors work with students to identify strengths, address weaknesses, and set clear goals for test success. We can tailor our sessions to your learning style and help you prepare effectively.
We offer both group and private tutoring sessions, available online and in person. To get in touch with one of our tutors, contact us today!
