Hancock & Workforce Development Board Partner To Open New GED Testing Center in Santa Maria
JUNE 30, 2026 -- Residents seeking to earn their high school equivalency credential now have a local option thanks to a partnership between Allan Hancock College and the Santa Barbara County Workforce Development Board.
The new GED Testing Center, located at the Workforce Resource Center at 1410 S. Broadway in Santa Maria, provides Northern Santa Barbara County residents with a convenient location to complete GED testing closer to home.
The testing center was established through a collaborative effort between Allan Hancock College and the Workforce Development Board to help remove barriers to educational attainment and workforce advancement. Prior to the opening of the Santa Maria location, many residents were required to travel to testing centers in Santa Barbara or Paso Robles to complete their exams.
"The GED Testing Center in Santa Maria represents an important step in expanding educational access for our community. By providing a convenient testing location, we are breaking down barriers for individuals seeking to earn their GED and pursue new educational and career opportunities,” said Luis Servin, executive director for the Santa Barbara County Workforce Development Board. "This partnership between the Santa Barbara County Workforce Development Board and Allan Hancock College demonstrates our shared commitment to supporting the success of our community and workforce development across our region."
According to the 2024 State of the Workforce Study, nearly 20 percent of Santa Barbara County residents do not have a high school diploma, highlighting the importance of expanding access to educational opportunities and workforce resources.
"The opening of this testing center reflects our commitment to increasing access to education and creating pathways to opportunity for members of our community," said Alicia Paniagua, dean of Community Education at Hancock. "By offering GED testing locally, we are helping students stay focused on their goals while reducing transportation and scheduling barriers."
The Workforce Resource Center serves individuals throughout the region by connecting community members with employment, training and educational resources. The addition of GED testing services further strengthens the center's role as a hub for workforce and career development.
Earning a GED can help individuals pursue higher education, career training programs and employment opportunities that may otherwise be unavailable without a high school diploma or equivalent credential.
Hancock Community Education also offers tuition-free GED preparation classes designed to help students build the skills and confidence needed to successfully complete the exam.
For information about GED testing, visit https://www.ged.com/.
For information about Allan Hancock College Community Education classes, including tuition-free GED preparation courses, visit www.hancockcollege.edu/communityed or call 1-805-347-7553.
