VA-Ben

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:

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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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