Having a certification can open doors for you in today’s workplace; if you’re eligible, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can reimburse you for taking a license or certification exam. SpaceTEC® and CertTEC® certifications are recognized by each service branches’ credentialing online COOL program and VA so that individuals may receive reimbursement for certification fees.
Through the VA, you may receive reimbursement for approved certification exams if you qualify for at least one of the following:
- Post-9/11 GI Bill (911-GIB)
- Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB-AD)
- Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserves (MGIB-SR) (Public Law 109-163 enacted January 6, 2006)
- Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP) (Public Law 109-163 enacted January 6, 2006)
- Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)
- Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA)
You may be eligible for more than one GI Bill program. It is important to determine which GI Bill best suits your educational/certification needs.
You can receive up to $2,000 per exam but not more than the VA approved cost of the exam. You may receive benefits to retake an exam you didn’t pass. You may receive benefits to retake an exam you passed if the exam is required for recertification or to allow you to retain a license you already have. Learn more about GI Bill benefits for Certification here.
To apply for exam reimbursement, send the VA a signed and dated request with the following information:
- VA-Form 22-0803
- A copy of your test results or a copy of your license or certification
Have you applied for VA benefits before? If no, please complete the Application for Education Benefits and send it to VA with this request for reimbursement.
Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) awards 25 semester hours for the SpaceTEC® Aerospace Technician Certification. This credit is awarded to students enrolled in a CCAF degree program which accepts certification credit toward the program’s technical education requirement. For more information visit:
Soldiers competing for promotion can now receive promotion points for approved technical certifications. For information about technical certification and promotion points, see:
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SpaceTEC® provides Knowledge and Skills Inventories designed to identify and quantify workforce skills and abilities in many fields. KSIs can be used in aerospace technology, composites, and manufacturing. KSIs can also be custom designed for advanced technologies.
- For additional information about the KSI, click on this link.
- Sample KSI Certificate
Accreditation
The SpaceTEC® Composites certifications are accredited by the International Certification Accreditation Council (ICAC) to meet ISO 17024 guidelines.
Composites Certification Competencies
To learn about the Composites Certification competencies, click here.
Do You Qualify?
The SpaceTEC® Composites exam is a concentration that is offered once the candidate completes the SpaceTEC® Core examination.
What Does the Exam Include?
The SpaceTEC® Composites Certification is a three part exam consisting of a 70 question, computer based, written exam, followed by an oral and practical evaluation of an individual’s technical knowledge and skills.
For more information on the exam, click here.
What Does the Exam Cost?
SpaceTEC® certification exam costs can be found here. It consists of three parts (Written, Oral and Practical).
SpaceTEC® has received approval from Montgomery GI Bill, Navy COOL and Air Force COOL for payment or reimbursement for the exam.
How Do I Prepare for the Test?
We offer a Prep Course to help you prepare for the Certification Exam. Email SpaceTEC® staff for more information.
Accreditation
The SpaceTEC® Aerospace Manufacturing certifications are accredited by the International Certification Accreditation Council (ICAC) to meet ISO 17024 guidelines.
Aerospace Manufacturing Certification Competencies
To learn more about the Aerospace Manufacturing Certification competencies, click here.
Do You Qualify?
The SpaceTEC® Aerospace Manufacturing exam is a concentration that is offered once the candidate completes the SpaceTEC® Core examination.
What Does the Exam Include?
The SpaceTEC® Aerospace Manufacturing Certification exam is a three part exam consisting of a 70 question, computer based, written exam, followed by an oral and practical evaluation of an individual’s technical knowledge and skills.
For more information about the exam, click here.
What Does the Exam Cost?
SpaceTEC® certification exam costs can be found here. The exam includes an optional Prep Course and the three part exam (Written, Oral and Practical).
SpaceTEC® has received approval from Montgomery GI Bill, Navy COOL and Air Force COOL for payment or reimbursement for the exam.
How Do I Prepare for the Test?
We offer a Prep Course to help you prepare for the Certification Exam. Email SpaceTEC® staff for more information.
Accreditation
The SpaceTEC® Vehicle Processing certifications are accredited by the International Certification Accreditation Council (ICAC) to meet ISO 17024 guidelines.
Vehicle Processing Certification Competencies
To learn more about the SpaceTEC® Vehicle Processing Certification competencies, click here.
Do You Qualify?
The SpaceTEC® Vehicle Processing exam is a concentration that is offered once the candidate completes the SpaceTEC® Core examination.
What Does the Exam Include?
The SpaceTEC® Vehicle Processing Certification exam is a three part exam consisting of a 70 question, computer based, written exam, followed by an oral and practical evaluation of an individual’s technical knowledge and skills.
For more information about the exam, click here.
What Does the Exam Cost?
SpaceTEC® certification exam costs can be found here. The exam includes an optional Prep Course and the three part exam (Written, Oral and Practical).
SpaceTEC® has received approval from Montgomery GI Bill, Navy COOL, and Air Force COOL for payment or reimbursement for the exam.
How Do I Prepare for the Test?
We offer a Prep Course to help you prepare for the Certification Exam. Email SpaceTEC® staff for more information
A Power Point is available to view for Vehicle Processing Readiness Course – Aerospace Systems.
Exams Offered
Core Certification
- To learn more about the Core Certification competencies, click here.
- The SpaceTEC® Certified Aerospace Technician® Core exam is a three part exam consisting of a 70 question, computer based, written exam, followed by an oral and practical evaluation of an individual’s technical knowledge and skills. For more information, click here.
- SpaceTEC® certification exam costs can be found here. The certification includes a three part exam (Written, Oral, and Practical).
SpaceTEC® has received approval from Montgomery GI Bill, Navy COOL and Air Force COOL for payment or reimbursement for the exam.
Certified Aerospace Technician Endorsements
- Composites
- Spacecraft Launch Processing
Details on the Core and each of the Endorsements are included on this website under the Certification tab.
Accreditation
The SpaceTEC® Certified Aerospace Technician® Core certifications are accredited by the International Certification Accreditation Council (ICAC) to meet ISO 17024 guidelines.
SpaceTEC® Certification Information and Recertification Requirements
- SpaceTEC® certifications are valid for three years from issuance.
- Additionally as part of the ISO 17024 Accreditation, SpaceTEC® must demonstrate the ability to locate and verify the status of each certification holder so contact information updates are also requested at recertification.
- The recertification requirement is on a time scale and involves three methods to recertify.
- To learn more about recertification, click here.
How is it structured?
The SpaceTEC® Certified Aerospace Technician® examination process offers certification in two categories:
- A Core Certification for entry-level employees covering general knowledge in six areas: Introduction to Aerospace, Applied Mechanics, Basic Electricity, Test & Measurements, Materials and Processes and Aerospace Safety; and
- Concentration Examinations for advanced standing in one of the following three areas: Aerospace Vehicle Processing; Aerospace Manufacturing; Aerospace Composites.
What do the SpaceTEC® exams include?
The SpaceTEC® examinations are all three-part tests including:
- A proctored computer-based written examination
- An oral examination (if required)
- A practical performance-based skills examination administered by a trained and certified SpaceTEC® Examiner (STE).
You must first pass the Core Certification Examination to become eligible to sit for one of the SpaceTEC® concentration certifications.
Where would I test?
Our staff will make arrangements with your closest location. The written portion of the Certification Exam can be taken anywhere we can identify a proctor (we also offer remote proctoring for the online written portion); the oral and practical exams are available at limited locations. Please contact SpaceTEC staff for those locations.
More details on the Core and each of the Concentration Examinations can be found under the Certifications tab on this web site.
Do You Qualify?
You must meet at least one of the following verifiable criteria to sit for the exam:
- You have a 2 year technical college program degree.
- You have/had a two year technical military assignment.
- You hold a FAA Airframe/powerplant certificate.
- You have two or more years of on the job training and experience in the Aerospace industry.
- Concentration exams require a Core Certification.
What Do the Exams Cost?
SpaceTEC® certification exam fees can be found here.
SpaceTEC® has received approval from Montgomery GI Bill, Navy COOL and Air Force COOL for payment or reimbursement for the exam.
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