Substitute Tests for Earning Verified Credits (PDF).More information on standard credits, verified credits, and locally awarded verified credits can be found on the Credits for Graduation webpage. Standard credits are earned by successfully completing required and elective courses verified credits are earned by successfully completing required courses and passing associated end-of-course SOL tests or other assessments approved by the state Board of Education. To graduate with a Standard Diploma, a student must earn at least 22 standard credits and 5 verified credits. Additional clarification on certain provisions of the Standards of Accreditation, including graduation requirements, is provided in the Guidance Document Governing Certain Provisions of the SOA (8VAC-20-131) (Word). The graduation requirements for students who entered the ninth grade for the first time in 2018-2019 and beyond are prescribed by the Board of Education in section 8VAC20-131-51 of the Standards of Accreditation (SOA). For students entering the ninth grade in 2018-2019 and beyond