GI Bill reimbursement for exams

Are you a veteran looking to start or advance your post-military career?

Getting a certification or license in your career field can be an important step in getting ahead—whether that means landing your first job or your next promotion.

What’s a certification?

A certification is an award you can earn to show your skill or knowledge in a particular career field. Being certified can help you demonstrate your skills and knowledge to an employer.

You can find out if there are certifications in your field with CareerOneStop’s Certification Finder. You’ll almost always need to pass an exam to earn a certification, and those exams can cost money. But you may be eligible for GI Bill reimbursement for your certification exam.

What’s an occupational license?

Some jobs require that you have a license. Licenses are issued by states, and the rules vary from state to state. You usually need a combination of experience and training to obtain a license, and you often have to take a test and pay a fee. Examples of fields that often require licenses are:

• Health care careers, such as dental assistants and emergency medical technicians (EMT)
• Jobs in the trades, such as plumbers, electricians, and building contractors
• Jobs that provide personal care such as barbers and cosmetologists

Learn about licensing requirements in your state at CareerOneStop’s License Finder.

If you need to take an exam that will allow you to acquire a state-issued, professional license, you may be eligible for GI Bill reimbursement for your licensing exam.

How can I get reimbursed for exam fees?

You can find a list of license and certification exams that are approved for VA funding, by state. Note that the reimbursement is for exam fees only, and not for study material.

Get started with the VA’s Checklist for Requesting Test Reimbursement. Learn more about out how your GI Bill entitlement will be charged for using a licensing and certification benefit.

Want to learn more about your options and benefits as a veteran?

Visit Back to School or Job Search on CareerOneStop’s Veteran and Military Transition Center.