SEIU 668
CHAPTER  4

  

Use your GI Bill for Licensing and Certification Tests

 

If you have never filed a claim for VA education benefits, you need to complete VA Form 22-1990 (veterans)(fillable) or VA Form 22-5490 (dependents).  You may also apply using VONAPP the VA Online Application Process.

LICENSING TESTS, are required by state or other government regulations. 

CERTIFICATION TESTS, are voluntary, generally accepted, credentials that can help you obtain, keep, or advance in a job.

This new benefit reimburses the eligible veteran or dependent under Chapters 30, 32, or 35 for an approved licensing or certification test taken on or after March 1, 2001.  Chapter 1606 and Chapter 1607 are reimbursed for tests taken after January 6, 2006.

You can receive up to $2000 per test (but no more than the actual cost of the test).  You may also retake a test you fail; however you cannot be reimbursed for a retake of a test you passed.

Eligibility

If you are eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill—Active Duty (Chapter 30), VEAP (Chapter 32), or Dependents Educational Assistance (Chapter 35), MGIB-SR (Chapter 1606), and REAP (Chapter 1607), you may receive this benefit. 

Note:  Your total months of GI Bill entitlement will be reduced each time you use your benefits for licensing and certification.

Test Approval

Contact the State Approving Agency or the GI Bill website for specific test approval information.  Tests offered by a state or local licensing board have minimal requirements. Tests offered by non-governmental organizations must be generally accepted within the industry, must have been in existence for two years and meet a few other requirements. 

Even if the test is currently not approved, you may still apply for your benefits.  By applying, you will help the State Approving Agencies determine the various licensing and certifications available for approval.

 

Applying For Your Benefits

 

Send a copy of your test results to the VA Regional Processing Office, P. O. Box 4616, Buffalo, NY 14240-4616.  Attach a note with the following information:

  • Your request for reimbursement
  • Your name, address, and social security number
  • The name of the test you took and the date you took it
  • Name and address of the organization issuing the license or certificate (not necessarily the organization that administered the test)
  • Cost of the test (registration fees, preparation guides, processing fees, etc. will not be reimbursed)
  • The following statement “I authorize the release of my test information to VA”

If you have never filed a claim for VA education benefits, you need to complete VA Form 22-1990 (veterans)(fillable) or VA Form 22-5490 (dependents).  You may also apply using VONAPP the VA Online Application Process.
    
Contacts

  • Pennsylvania State Approving Agency (For Program Approval Information)

Harrisburg Office                   
Department of Education                          

Veterans/Military Education    

333 Market Street                 

Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333     
(717) 787-2414    

                      

Philadelphia Office                   

Veterans/Military Education       

Room 1007 State Office Bldg. 

Broad & Spring Garden Streets  

Philadelphia, PA 19130              

(215) 560-2509                       

 

Pittsburgh Office

Veterans/Military Education

Room 1202 State Office Bldg.
300 Liberty Avenue     

Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 565-5364

E-mail:  RA-VetEd@state.pa.us   

 

Information Courtesy of PA Department of Education, Division of Veterans/Military Education 2008