What you need to do to set up an ACT account

To create an ACT username and password, you go to the ACT website, click "Create Account," and fill in your email address, a username you choose, and a password you create. ACT will send a confirmation email to verify your address. Once you click the link in that email, your account is active and you can log in.

The process takes about five minutes. You do not need to pay anything to create the account itself — the fee comes only if you decide to register for an actual ACT test later. Your username and password are what you use every time you return to check your scores, register for a test date, or update your information.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to act.org, select "Create Account," and enter an email address, username, and password you create yourself.
  • ACT will email you a confirmation link — you must click it within 24 hours or your account setup expires.
  • Your username can be any combination of letters and numbers you remember, but your password must be at least 8 characters and include uppercase, lowercase, and a number.
  • Once confirmed, you can log in when ready to register for a test, view scores, or update your contact information.
  • If you forget your password later, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page to reset it by email.

Where to start: the ACT website

Open a web browser and go to act.org. In the upper right corner, you will see a "Sign In" button. Click the dropdown arrow next to it and select "Create Account." This takes you to a page with a form asking for your email address.

Use an email address you check regularly — ACT sends the confirmation link there, and you will need access to it to finish setting up your account. If you use an email you do not monitor, you will not receive the confirmation and your account will not set up.

Choosing a username and password

After you enter your email, ACT asks you to create a username. This can be any combination of letters and numbers — something like "sarah_2024" or "jsmith88" works fine. You do not have to use your real name. Pick something you will remember, because you type it in every time you log in.

Next comes your password. ACT requires it to be at least 8 characters long and to include at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, and one number. An example would be "BlueSky2024" or "Tennis99Gold". Do not use a password you use for other accounts — if one site gets hacked, you do not want someone to access your ACT account with the same password.

Write your username and password down in a safe place, or use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password to store them. You will need both to log in later.

Confirming your email address

After you submit the form, ACT sends an email to the address you provided. Open your email and look for a message from ACT with the subject line "Confirm Your Email Address" or similar. Click the link inside that email — it usually says "Confirm Email" or "Verify Email."

This link works for 24 hours. If you do not click it within that time, your account setup expires and you have to start over. If your confirmation email does not arrive within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder — sometimes email filters catch it by mistake.

Once you click the link, your account is confirmed and active. You can now log in using your username and password.

Logging in for the first time

Go back to act.org and click "Sign In" in the upper right. Enter the username and password you created. You will land on your ACT account dashboard, which shows your test registration status, any scores you have earned, and options to register for an upcoming test date.

From this dashboard, you can also update your contact information, add a photo, and manage which colleges receive your scores. Bookmark this page or save the login so you do not have to search for it again.

What to do if you forget your password

On the ACT login page, below the password field, there is a link that says "Forgot Password?" Click it. ACT will ask for your username or email address, then send a password reset link to your email. Click that link, create a new password following the same rules (8 characters, uppercase, lowercase, number), and you can log in again.

If you forget your username instead, you can still use your email address to log in on most pages. If you get stuck, ACT has a support contact form on their website where you can describe the problem and they will help you recover your account.

Keeping your account find

Once your account is set up, do not share your username or password with anyone else. ACT uses your account to store your test scores and personal information — if someone else has access, they could register for tests in your name or change your contact details.

If you use a shared computer, always log out when you are done. Do not check the "Remember me" box on a shared device, because it will keep you logged in for the next person who uses that computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username after I create it?

ACT does not allow you to change your username after account creation. If you chose one you do not like, you would have to create a new account with a different email address. For this reason, take a moment to pick a username you are comfortable with before you submit the form.

What if the confirmation email never arrives?

Check your spam, junk, or promotions folder first — email filters sometimes catch ACT's message by mistake. If it is not there, wait a few minutes and try again. If you still do not see it after 10 minutes, go back to act.org and use the "Forgot Password" link with your email address — ACT will send a reset link, which also confirms your email is in the system.

Can I use the same email for more than one ACT account?

No. ACT ties each email address to one account only. If you need a second account for some reason, you will need a different email address. Most people need only one account, which covers all their test registrations and scores.

Is my password stored safely?

ACT uses encryption to protect your password, which means they do not store it in plain text. However, you are still responsible for keeping it private. Do not share it in emails, texts, or with friends, and do not use the same password on other websites.

What happens if I do not use my account for a long time?

Your account stays active indefinitely. You can log in months or years later and your information will still be there. ACT does not delete inactive accounts, so you do not have to worry about losing access if you take a break from testing.