Costs and Resources

What costs are associated with credentialing and what resources are available to help defray the costs?

The following sections provide general information on the types of costs that can be associated with obtaining a license or a certification and resources available to help defray the costs. More specific information on costs and resources related to a particular certification can be found by searching on a military occupational specialty (MOS) from the Credential Search portion of this site.

Credentialing Costs

• Credentialing Board Fees
• Supplemental Training and Education Costs

Resources for Credentialing

Financial Assistance

• Army Vocational/Technical Training (AVOTEC) Program
• Army Tuition Assistance Program
• Department of Veterans Affairs

Educational Resources

• Army Corresponding Education and Training System
• Army Distributed Learning Program
• Army e-Learning Program (SkillSoft)
• Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support, Certification Program
• Department of Defense Voluntary Education Program(DolEd)
• eArmyU
• Program Management Office Distributed Learning System
• Servicemembers Opportunity College - Army Degrees

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Credentialing Costs

Generally, there are two types of costs associated with obtaining a credential:

• Fees payable to the credentialing board
• Costs for supplemental training that may be needed to qualify for the credential

Details for these costs are discussed below.

Credentialing Board Fees

Most licenses or certifications have fees associated with them that are charged by the credentialing board. Some of the typical fees paid directly to a credentialing board include

• Application Fees – from $20 to $200
• Exam Fees – from $20 to $200
• Renewal Fees – from $10 to $150 (typically renewed every 1 to 3 years)

Note that the fees mentioned here are typical ranges—actual fees may be higher or lower. In addition, these fees are for civilian occupations equivalent to enlisted occupational specialties. The fees associated with the civilian equivalents for officers (for example, physicians and lawyers) may be higher.

Supplemental Training and Education Costs

Soldiers whose military training and experience do not meet all of a credentialing board's requirements may need supplemental training or education. The costs associated with this training vary depending on the amount and type of education and training required. Some credentialing boards may require associate or bachelor degrees in specified subject areas. Others may require you to complete training seminars, computer-based training, or a series of courses.

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Resources for Credentialing

There are a number of resources available to help Soldiers with credentialing costs. The Army Tuition Assistance Program and the Montgomery GI Bill (GI Bill) can help defray supplemental education costs. Other programs in the Departments of Army, Defense, and Veterans Affairs can also help with supplemental training and education costs.

Financial Assistance

AVOTEC

Funds for exam fees and training are now available through the new Army Vocational/Technical Training (AVOTEC) Program.

Starting on 1 Feb 09, all Soldiers, Officers and Wounded Warriors serving on active duty – including National Guard and Reserve Soldiers on extended active duty – are eligible to enroll in AVOTEC to pay for technical/vocational training and to pay for certification and licensing exam fees. The training, certification, or licensure does not have to be MOS-related.

Find out more about how COOL and AVOTEC work together.

Army Tuition Assistance Program (TA)

The Tuition Assistance Program provides financial assistance for voluntary off-duty education programs in support of a Soldier’s professional and personal development goals. Soldiers interested in using TA for credentialing fees or supplemental training can contact an Army Education Center and meet with an education counselor, develop an education plan and complete the process for submitting a DA Form 2171.

Soldiers can receive a maximum of $4,500 per fiscal year for 100 percent of tuition costs, or up to $250 per semester hour, whichever is less. This rate is based on the uniform tuition assistance policy the Department of Defense implemented across the military services in October 1998.

With regard to use of tuition assistance for certification purposes, tuition assistance is authorized for courses that lead to certification. The courses must be offered by accredited academic institutions, although the institution may contract with a learning network or courseware vendor to provide courses or training. The following conditions must be met:

1. TA forms must be made payable to the academic institution.
2. Courses and grades must include transcripts as part of the institution’s curriculum.
3. Courses must be parts of a program that appears in the academic catalog.

For additional information, use the following links:

• Summary of Eligibility Requirements and Procedures
• Army Education’s Tuition Assistance page
• Directory of Army Education Centers

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Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)

The Montgomery GI Bill offers assistance with licensing and certification as well as supplemental education and training.

Licensing and Certification Exams

Eligible Soldiers and veterans can use the Montgomery GI Bill to pay for up to $2,000 in fees for civilian occupational licensing and certification exams. The VA Education Service administers this program. Visit the Education Service’s Licensing and Certification Exams Web site for additional information.

Reimbursement is provided for the cost of the test, up to $2,000 per test. There is no limit to the number of tests that can be reimbursed under this benefit. Fees for re-testing and renewing licenses or certifications are also covered. Note that registration fees, preparation guides and processing fees will not be reimbursed.

The VA will advise state approving agencies or Veterans Educational Officers to review any test for which someone requests reimbursement. You can find a list of State Approving Agencies on the VA’s Web site.

Supplemental Education and Training

The GI Bill provides benefits for costs associated with the following:

• An undergraduate or graduate degree at a college or university
• Courses leading to a certificate or diploma from business, technical, or vocational schools
• Cooperative training programs
• Accredited independent study programs leading to a standard college degree
• Apprenticeship or job training programs offered by a company or union
• Correspondence courses

For details on funding levels, eligibility, and procedures, consult the VA’s Education Benefits Web site.

For additional information, use the following links:

• Summary of Eligibility Requirements and Procedures
• VA’s Coverage of Licensing and Certification Tests
• VA’s Inquiry System

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Educational Resources

Army Corresponding Education and Training System (ACETS)

The Army Corresponding Education and Training System (ACETS) provides options for Soldiers who need to take courses for certification, such as an associate of science degree in general studies with an emphasis on management.

See the ACETS Web site for information, as well as the Army Correspondence Course Program Web site. Representatives from ACETS and the Army Institute for Professional Development can also provide assistance.

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Army Distributed Learning Program (TADLP)

In some cases, Soldiers cannot meet civilian credential requirements without first obtaining additional military training, experience, or education. The Army’s Distributed Learning Program (TADLP) allows Soldiers to access and complete these military courses. TADLP offers Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) qualification, Additional Skill Identifier (ASI), and functional training and education courses, as well as other courses in the Noncommissioned Officer Education System (NCOES).

For information, see the TADLP Web site.

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Army e-Learning Program

Soldiers pursuing certification in the information technology and telecommunications fields can use the Army e-Learning (SkillSoft) Program to complete training to prepare for certification examinations. The Army is working with SkillSoft (formerly SmartForce) to provide computer-based training in information technology and telecommunications-related subjects to active duty Army, Army National Guard, Army Reserve, and Dept. of Army Civilians.

• Army e-Learning offers courses to prepare users for over 70 certification exams. Offerings include Microsoft Office, Windows 2000, Windows 98, Windows 95, Oracle, Lotus, Cisco, several programming languages, and telecommunications.

• After registering on the Army e-Learning Web site, users may access and use the courseware from any Windows PC with Internet access. Licensed individuals may use the CBT courseware at no charge. Army CBT does not cover certification exam costs.

For additional information, visit the Army e-Learning Program Web site, or E-mail army.elearning@us.army.mil.

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Defense Activity for Nontraditional Education Support (DANTES) National Certification Program

DANTES has agreements with over 30 nationally recognized certification boards which allow Soldiers to take certification examinations at authorized DANTES test centers on or near military installations.

If the civilian credential you are considering requires passing an examination, check with the DANTES Education Program Handbook (DEPH). You may be able to satisfy the examination requirement through the DANTES National Certification Program. The DEPH provides detailed information for each participating certification board.

In addition, the USAR Continuing Education Services has an agreement with DANTES to reimburse the cost of certification exams for members of the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) who have taken exams that relate to their MOS.

For more information, visit the DANTES Web site, or contact the DANTES Certification Program Manager at (850) 452-1360, DSN 922-1360,or via e-mail at certprog@voled.doded.mil.

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Department of Defense Voluntary Education Program

The DoD Voluntary Education Program (VolEd) supports numerous educational opportunities and resources coordinated by the Department of Defense.

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eArmyU

eArmyU is an Army education initiative designed to offer eligible enlisted Soldiers the opportunity to work toward a college degree or certificate anytime, anywhere. eArmyU revolutionizes Army education through state-of-the-art virtual learning. eArmyU is:

• State-of-the-art distance learning through eArmyU.com
• Unparalleled selection of transferable certificate and degree programs
• 100% Tuition Assistance for tuition, fees, and books up to the established semester hour cap and tuition ceiling
• Global 24/7 accessibility through www.eArmyU.com
• Academic mentoring and credit for prior training and education
• Virtual doorway to support services and interactive learning resources

The Army Continuing Education System’s cutting-edge eArmyU program is available to all eligible active duty enlisted Soldiers Army-wide…wherever Army Education Centers are located. A key element of the current eArmyU program—the technology package or laptop—will now be offered only as an incentive for enlisted Soldiers who are willing to reenlist for duty. ACES Counselors and Commanders will determine eligibility to enroll in eArmyU. eCourses or course-by-course enrollment, will be offered Army-wide to all eligible enlisted Soldiers who have their own computer or computer access.

For additional information visit the eArmyU Web site.

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Program Management Office Distributed Learning System (PMO DLS)

The Program Management Office Distributed Learning System (DLS) mission is to acquire and sustain hardware, software and services enabling student access to distributed training products at the right time and place.

The DLS modernized system delivers individual and collective training, Army Modernization Training (AMT), and self-development courses to soldiers and units, anytime, anywhere using multiple means and technologies. DLS provides training for the Active Army, the U.S. Army Reserves, the Army National Guard, and Department of Army Civilians.

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Servicemembers Opportunity College – Army Degrees (SOCAD)

The Servicemembers Opportunity College (SOC) system helps Soldiers obtain associate or baccalaureate degrees. Their Army Degree Program (SOCAD) includes a consortium of more than 100 higher education institutions that agree to accept credit transfer in over 300 subject matter areas and set limited academic residency requirements for Soldiers. If the credentials you are seeking require a college degree, these programs may be of help.

In the Army Career Degrees Program, the newest enhancement to SOCAD, Soldiers can receive college credit for military experience and training, as well as a “Degree Builder” that specifies the college courses they need to complete a degree and the options they have to fulfill each requirement.

For detailed information, visit the SOCAD Web site, GoArmyEd, or Army Education center.

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