Having a license or certification can open doors for you in today’s workplace. Many professions require a license or certification. A license or certification may also be required for jobs that are subject to State or other government regulations.
Licensing and/or certification may play a key role in advancing your career in jobs such as a mechanic, medical technician, therapist, computer network engineer (CISCO, Microsoft, Etc,), web site developer, and others. Certification means the credentials you get by taking a specific test for a field of employment, not a certificate you receive for completing a training or education program.
If you’re eligible, the Department of Veterans Affairs can reimburse you for taking a license or certification test. The test must be approved for VA purposes. Generally the VA must receive your request within on year of when you took the test. For more information about these programs, visit www.GIBILL.va.gov
You may receive reimbursement for approved licensing and certification tests if you qualify for any one or more of the following GI Bill programs:
- Post-9/11 GI Bill
- Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB)
- Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserves (MGIB-SR)
- Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP)
- Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)
- Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA)
What You Get
You can receive reimbursement of up to $2,000 per test but not more than the VA approved cost of the test. You may receive benefits to retake a test you didn’t pass. You may receive benefits to retake a test you passed if the test is required for recertification or to allow you to retain a license you already have.
Note: Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill you may receive reimbursement for only one licensing or certification exam.
You must be eligible for GI Bill education benefits in order to receive test reimbursement. Your total months of benefits will be reduced each time you receive reimbursement for a licensing or certification test.
Getting Started
Step 1 - Apply for education benefits. If you’ve previously applied for education benefits, you don’t need to apply again. Go to step 2.
If you’ve never applied before, you can complete and submit your application on-line. Just go to www.GIBILL.va.gov and click on the “Apply for GI Bill Benefits” button.
Step 2 - Apply for test reimbursement by sending the VA a signed and dated request with the following information. A checklist is provided at the bottom of this page.
You must give the following information for each test taken:
• Your name, address and Social Security number or VA claim number
• The name of the test you took and the date you took it
• A copy of each test results for each test taken, whether or not you passed it
• The name and address of the organization issuing the license or certificate (not necessarily the organization that administered the test)
• The cost of each test – Do not include any other related costs.
• This statement: “I authorize release of my test information to VA.”
• Your signature and date signed.
Regardless of whether you use the checklist provided below or send the VA a statement, you should attach a copy of your test results or a copy of your license or certification if available.
Finding Approved Tests
To find out which tests are approved, visit: www.GIBILL.va.gov/Education/LCweb/search.asp.According the VA you should apply for education benefits even if you can’t find your test, your test may be approved even if it does not appear on the list.
Finding Help
If you have questions about licensing and certification reimbursement, or applying for benefits, you can do either of the following:
• Go to www.GIBILL.va.gov, and click on “Ask a Question and Find Answers” – OR -
• Call VA at 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551), or for the hearing-impaired call 1-800-829-4833.
Checklist for Requesting Reimbursement
The following checklist will guide you through the VA’s Licensing & Certification Test Reimbursement process.
To apply for test reimbursement, send the VA a signed and dated request with the following information:
�� Your Full Name
�� Your Mailing Address
�� Your Home Phone Number (with area code)
�� Your Social Security Number
�� Your VA File Number (if different from your Social Security Number)
�� Have you applied for VA benefits before? If not, complete an application for education benefits VA Form 22-1990 and send it with your request for reimbursement.
�� Name of Test
�� Date Test Taken
�� Cost of Test (NOTE: VA can’t reimburse you for registration fees, preparation guides, processing fees, etc.)
�� A copy of your test results or a copy of your license or certification
�� Name & Address of Organization Issuing License
�� Statement: “I hereby authorize the release of my test information to the Department of Veterans Affairs”
�� Your Signature and Date Signed
Note: VA can’t process your claim without your signature.
Send this information for each test you take.
