NY Regents Diploma Requirements
To earn a New York Regents diploma you must pass four core Regents exams — English, math, science, and social studies — plus one additional pathway ("4+1"), and complete 22 units of credit.
How many Regents exams do you need to graduate? (4+1)
For a New York Regents diploma you must pass four core Regents exams — one each in English, mathematics, science, and social studies — plus one additional pathway exam or approved sequence. Every core exam requires a scaled score of 65.
The "+1" can be a fifth Regents in any core area, or an approved Career & Technical Education (CTE), arts, world-languages, humanities, STEM, or Seal of Civic Readiness pathway.
Regents vs. Advanced Regents diploma
| Requirement | Regents diploma | Advanced Regents |
|---|---|---|
| English | 1 (ELA) | 1 (ELA) |
| Mathematics | 1 math | 3 (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II) |
| Science | 1 science | 2 (one life, one physical) |
| Social studies | 1 | 1 |
| Pathway (+1) | 1 | 1 |
| World language | — | Checkpoint B exam + 3 LOTE credits, or a 5-unit Arts or CTE sequence |
Credit requirements
All diploma types require 22 units of credit. (New York City expresses the same requirement as 44 credits, where 1 unit = 2 NYC credits.) The breakdown:
| Subject | Units |
|---|---|
| English | 4 |
| Social studies | 4 |
| Science | 3 |
| Mathematics | 3 |
| World language | 1 |
| The arts | 1 |
| Physical education | 2 |
| Health | ½ |
| Electives | 3½ |
Advanced Regents diploma
The advanced designation adds two math and one science exam — three math total (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II) and two sciences (one life, one physical) — plus one of: three world-language credits and the Checkpoint B exam, a five-unit arts sequence, or a five-unit CTE sequence. Appeals cannot be used toward advanced designation.
Falling short of 65
A 60–64 can be appealed (once for a Regents diploma, twice for a local diploma), and students with disabilities have additional safety nets. See Regents scoring, appeals, and safety nets.
What is changing by 2027
New York has proposed moving to a single "New York State High School Diploma" and no longer requiring students to pass Regents exams to graduate, phased in from around the 2027–28 school year. The requirements on this page are current and in force now. Details: what's changing with the Regents.
Frequently asked questions
How many Regents exams do you need to graduate in New York?
Five: four core Regents exams (English, math, science, social studies), each passed with a 65, plus one additional pathway exam or approved sequence — the 4+1 pathway.
What is the difference between a Regents and Advanced Regents diploma?
The Advanced Regents diploma requires three math exams (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II) and two sciences plus a world-language, arts, or CTE sequence, where a standard Regents diploma requires just one math and one science.
How many credits do you need to graduate high school in New York?
22 units of credit (equivalent to 44 NYC credits) across English, social studies, science, math, world language, the arts, physical education, health, and electives.
What is the 4+1 pathway?
Passing four core Regents exams — English, math, science, and social studies — plus one additional pathway assessment: a fifth Regents or an approved CTE, arts, language, or civic-readiness option.