To be eligible for a certification or license voucher:

1. Enlisted shall meet one of the following eligibility requirements:
   1. Be in the appropriate rating or collateral duty/out of rate assignment to which the credential is mapped.
   2. Be currently working in, or have been assigned to a position to which the credential is mapped.
   3. Have prior documented experience in a position to which the credential is mapped for credentials outside of their specific rating, and the credential has relevance or applicability to the current or future needs of the command or the Navy.
2. Eligibility for Sailor credentials must be validated and approved by their Commanding Officer or command-designated approving official (E-7 or above). Additionally, before authorizing the request, commands must also certify that Sailors:
   1. Have passed their most recent advancement exam.
   2. Have passed, or been medically waived from, their most recent physical fitness assessment.
   3. Have not received a judicial or courts martial punishment within the past 6 months.
   4. Have been recommended for promotion or advancement on their most recent performance evaluation.

Time of Service. Sailors shall have, at a minimum, one year remaining on their enlistment or military service obligation at the time they receive the certification for which they receive funding. Waivers will be considered by the Navy Credentials Program Office (EXCEPT FOR INFORMATION ASSURANCE WORKFORCE) under the following circumstances for Sailors who:

1. Are being discharged or released from service due to a combat-related injury.
2. Have less than one year remaining in service, but have completed a minimum of 20 years Navy service. Member must be able to complete all certification requirements 60 calendar days prior to separation from Navy.
3. Intend to reenlist or extend, but are awaiting execution of reenlistment or extension (i.e. pending service reenlistment bonus timeframes). Waiver package must include Navy Credentialing Program Professional Certification and Licensing Voucher Request and a command endorsed and executed NAVPERS 1070/613 Administrative Remarks noting Sailor’s intention to extend or reenlist.

Note: Information Assurance Workforce (IAWF) must have a minimum of 1 year remaining on their enlistment or military service obligation to receive credential funding. Waivers will not be considered.

Should funding become available, officers shall also meet one of the following eligibility requirements:

1. Hold the appropriate designator, be in the collateral duty/out of rate assignment, or be working in a position to which the credential is mapped.
2. Currently work in, have orders to, or be assigned to a position in which a subspecialty code or additional qualification designator (AQD) has the credential mapped.
3. Have prior documented experience in a position to which the credential is mapped for credentials outside of their specific designator, and the credential has relevance or applicability to the current or future needs of the command or the Navy.

Note: The command's local approving official for VOLUNTARY credentialing exams is the Commanding Officer (but may be delegated to Dept Head, Division Officer, or Command-designated E7 and above).  The command's local approving official for MANDATORY IAWF credentialing exams is the Command Information Assurance Manager (IAM).  The approving official must locally validate that the member has documented competency or experience in the position to which the credential is tied (for example, Evaluation, Fitness Report, Personnel Qualification System (PQS), counseling sheet, formal course completion, etc.). Competency and experience documentation may need to be submitted if requested by the Navy's Credentials Program Office.

Important Note – If the Navy’s Credentials Program is expected to fund the credentialing exam – Under no circumstances shall the member (or member’s command/organization) obligate the member or Government to pay for a credentialing expense without first obtaining confirmation of approval for a voucher for funding from the Navy’s Credentials Program Office.

1. The Navy’s Credentials Program Office must receive the voucher request, containing all the required information and endorsements, from the member or Command Approving Official - NO LESS THAN seven (7) business days PRIOR to the exam date.
2. Voucher requests received less than seven (7) business days PRIOR to the exam date may risk not being approved for payment.
3. Requests for a waiver of the seven (7) business day requirement will require documentation from the command that the member was prevented from requesting the voucher earlier due to operational requirements, illness or hospitalization, or other circumstances beyond the control of the member, will be subject to the availability of funding and to the processing times required by the credentialing agency.
4. Voucher requests submitted greater than sixty (60) days PRIOR to the exam date will not be processed for approval until they are within the sixty (60) day window. Waivers will be considered only for those exams that require payment greater than sixty (60) days prior to the exam.
5. Voucher requests submitted after starting, taking, participating in, or otherwise incurring the credentialing expense will be rejected, and the member will be personally liable for the expense.

To be eligible for a certification or license reimbursement:

1. Submit a voucher request, containing all the required information and endorsements, to the Navy's Credentials Program Office following all guidance found in Navy-funded Exam Voucher Program section on this page—BEFORE you start, take, participate in, or otherwise obligate yourself or the Government in any Navy-funded credentialing program or exam. Pay particular attention to Timeline for Credential Funding section. You can find the Voucher Request form and Frequently Asked Questions near the top of any page by clicking on Step 2 "Apply for an Exam Voucher."
2. In cases where the Credentials Program Office attempts to fund the credentialing exam, and the credentialing agency does not accept payment from the Government, the Credentials Program Office will notify the member that he/she is authorized to pay for the exam(s) out-of-pocket and submit an SF-1164 and receipts for reimbursement.
3. Reimbursement will not be authorized if a Navy-funded pre-paid voucher is available.

Important Note - If the Navy's Credentials Program is expected to reimburse the credentialing exam - Under no circumstances shall the member (or member's command/organization) obligate the member or Government to pay for a credentialing expense without first obtaining approval for reimbursement from the Navy's Credentials Program Office.

Timeline for Navy Credentials Program reimbursement of credentials:

1. The Navy's Credentials Program Office must receive the SF-1164 form from the member or Command Approving Official - NO GREATER THAN thirty (30) calendar days AFTER the exam date.
2. SF-1164 forms received greater than thirty (30) calendar days AFTER  the exam date will not be approved for payment. Waivers to the thirty (30) day deadline will require documentation from the command that the member was prevented from filing the claim due to operational requirements, illness or hospitalization, or other circumstances that were beyond the control of the member, and will be subject to the availability of funding.
3. The Navy's Credentials Program Office will forward properly submitted SF-1164's and exam receipt(s) for DFAS direct-deposit reimbursement within 3 business days of receipt.

Although it varies by credential and by organization, credentialing agencies typically charge the followings fees:

• Application fee – from $20 to $200
• Exam fee – from $20 to $200
• Renewal fee – from $10 to $150 (typically due every 1-3 years depending on the agency's renewal policy)

Note that the examples above show the typical range of certification fees. Actual fees may be higher or lower depending on the credentialing agency or the type of credential. Credential fees for civilian occupations typically linked to officers (for example, physicians and lawyers) may be higher. The best source for finding the fees associated with a specific credential is the credentialing agency's website. Links to agency web sites can be found on the credential search page results and the credential snapshot pages.

There are two types of additional education or training costs that may apply to Service members pursuing a credential: 1)Training or education needed to earn a credential, and 2) Training or education needed to keep a credential that you've already earned active.

• Earning a credential. Some credentials and licenses have training and experience requirements that must be met prior to earning a credential. Service members whose military training and experience do not meet a credentialing agency’s requirements may need additional training or education. The costs associated with training and education will vary depending on the type of education or training needed. For example, some credentials may require completion of a specific computer based training course while others may require an Associates or Bachelor’s degree in a specific subject area.
• Keeping a credential active. Many professions require additional training or education, commonly called continuing education, to demonstrate up-to-date knowledge. Credentialing agencies also may require continuing education over a period of time (for example 1-3 years) to maintain a credential already earned. Continuing education requirements, and costs, will vary by credentialing agency.

The Credentials Program Office administers a voucher program that will pay for eligible credentialing exams, recertification fees, and maintenance fees. The Navy's Credentials Program Office does NOT fund for training, study materials, or exam preparation materials.

The Navy's Credentials Program Office has a limited amount of certification/license exam voucher funds that may be used by enlisted personnel towards specifically-identified certifications and licenses. These vouchers will be issued on a "first-come, first-served" basis. In general, the Navy will pay for credentialing exam fees under the following circumstances:

• The credential has been approved for Navy funding;
• The Sailor meets eligibility requirements including that the credential is appropriate to their rating or collateral duty/out of rate assignment and is validated by their Commanding Officer; and
• The Sailor has a minimum 1 year remaining on his/her enlistment at the time the credential is awarded.

For a full explanation of the Navy Voucher program, click on the "Navy-funded Exam Voucher Program" box above. A Voucher Eligibility Tool and Frequently Asked Questions can be found by clicking on "Apply for Exam Voucher" near the top of any page.

The Navy's Credentials Program Office can reimburse credentialing exam fees for enlisted personnel only for expenses that are not eligible for a prepaid voucher, and only when specifically coordinated and authorized via the Navy's Credentials Program Office BEFORE you start, take, participate in, or otherwise obligate yourself or the Government in any Navy-funded credentialing program or exam.

For a full explanation of the Navy Exam Reimbursement program, click on the "Navy-funded Exam Reimbursement Program" box above. A Voucher Eligibility Tool and Frequently Asked Questions can be found by clicking on "Apply for Exam Voucher" near the top of any page.

Through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), the Montgomery GI Bill offers financial assistance with licensing and certification as well as supplemental education and training. Eligible service members and veterans can use the Montgomery GI Bill to pay for up to $2,000 in fees for civilian occupational licensing and certification exams. Fees for re-testing and renewing licenses or certifications are also covered. Registration fees, preparation guides and processing fees will not be reimbursed. Visit the VA’s GI Bill web site or see the Licensing and Certification Exams brochure for additional information. Information on approved programs may also be found through the National Association of State Approving Agencies (NASAA) web site.

If you are a member of the National Guard or Reserves, you may also be able to receive GI Bill reimbursement for licensing and certifications test fees. Qualifying members of the Guard and Reserve can now receive reimbursement of up to $2,000 per test. For more information and to find out whether you qualify for this benefit, please see the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Licensing and Certification Brochure or contact a VA representative.

The GI Bill also provides benefits for costs associated with an undergraduate degree at a college or university, a certificate or diploma from a business, technical or vocational school, training programs, apprenticeships, and others. Visit the VA’s Education Benefits web site or read about tuition benefits on COOL in the Training and Education Resources topic  for more information.

Navy Tuition Assistance (TA) Traditional

Tuition Assistance is the Navy's educational financial assistance program. It provides active duty personnel funding for tuition costs for courses taken in an off-duty status at a college, university or vocational/technical institution, whose regional or national accreditation is recognized by the Department of Education. With regard to use of tuition assistance for credentialing purposes, TA can only be used for courses leading to a credential if they are part of an approved education plan. TA will no longer be authorized for use with continuing education units for credentials already earned (See NAVADMIN 161_07). For additional information, visit the Navy Tuition Assistance web site.

Tuition Assistance (TA) Clock Hour

Restoration of Tuition Assistance (TA) funding for Clock Hour Programs.

Individuals may participate in a Clock Hour Program provided they meet all TA eligibility requirements. Establish an approved education plan with their Navy College or Virtual Education Center Counselor, and have received and electronic TA voucher prior to enrolling in or attending the first Clock Hour session. Sailors must meet these provisions in order to avoid paying out-of-pocket expenses.

Credentialing following Clock Hour programs. Sailors are strongly encouraged to pursue Clock Hour programs that prepare them for Navy Credentialing Opportunities Online (COOL) funded certification or license Examinations. Certifications and licenses can be researched by clicking "Find & Select Related Credentials" at the top of any page.

TA funding levels. 100 percent tuition and authorized fees, up to $16.67 per Clock Hour. TA will be limited to 240 Clock Hours per fiscal year. Clock Hours can be funded by TA; however, the combined total cost for an individual Sailor cannot exceed the maximum allowable annual TA caps.

Limit to number of TA funded Clock Hour programs. In keeping with current TA policy each Sailor may only use TA to fund one Vocational/Technical program during a career that awards credit in Clock Hours. Sailors are required to discuss their educational goals with a Navy College Counselor prior to enrolling in any Program funded by TA.

What is Clock Hour? Non-College Degree (NCD) Schools offer a variety of certificate and diploma programs on a Clock Hour basis rather than through award semester or quarter hour credits.  

For additional information, see CNO WASHINGTON DC/231503ZMAR10 message.

How to search for a VA-approved Clock Hour Program

For further assistance on Navy Tuition Assistance opportunities:
Navy College Office
The Virtual Education Center
1-877-838-16590