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Licensing and certification tests and prep courses

The GI Bill covers more than just tuition. You can use part of your entitlement to cover the costs of certain tests and preparatory courses (also called “prep courses”). Find out how to get paid back for licensing and certification tests and prep courses.

Licensing and certification tests

You can use part of your entitlement to cover the costs of tests (no more than $2,000 per test) for a job that requires a license or certification—even if you’re already receiving other education benefits. We’ll pay you back for the cost of the test, including registration and administrative fees. We’ll charge your entitlement based on the amount we paid back to you.

Check the rates page for the benefit you’re using to find out how we’ll charge your entitlement.

Find the rates page for the benefit you’re using

To get paid back for licensing and certification tests, you must already be covered under 1 of these benefits:

  • Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), or
  • Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (Chapter 30), or
  • Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606), or
  • Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35)

Find out how to apply for VA education benefits

How do I get paid back for licensing and certification tests?

You’ll need to submit a reimbursement form for your licensing or certification test.

When you submit your completed form, you must include these documents:

  • A copy of the receipt for the testing fee, and
  • A copy of the test results or a copy of your license or certification

You can fill out our form to request reimbursement in 1 of these 2 ways:

Option 1: Fill out a reimbursement form online

When you’re finished, we’ll prompt you to download your completed form. Then, you can submit your form by uploading it to QuickSubmit or mailing it to us.

Option 2: Download a reimbursement form to fill out

Download a Request for Reimbursement of Licensing or Certification Test Fees (VA Form 22-0803).

Get VA Form 22-0803 to download

How do I submit my form?

You can submit your completed form by uploading it to QuickSubmit.

Upload your completed form using QuickSubmit

Or you can mail your completed form to us.

Find your regional processing office address

How many tests can I get paid back for?

We’ll pay for as many licensing and certification tests as you want to take as long as you have remaining entitlement and use your benefits within the time limit.

We’ll pay you back even in these situations:

  • You didn’t score high enough to get your license or certification
  • You need to take the same test more than once
  • You need to retake a test you passed already so you can get recertified or retain a license you already have

Note: We won’t pay for fees or costs related to getting the actual license or certification document.

What types of licensing and certification tests will my benefits cover?

Your benefits will cover only tests approved for the GI Bill. Use our search tool to find out which tests we’ll pay you back for and their costs. If you don’t see a test listed, it may be a valid test that’s just not yet approved. We encourage you to submit an application for reimbursement.

Search for tests we’ll pay you back for

Tips for using the tool

In the field that says L&C Name, enter the name of the license or certification you’re interested in. For example, you can enter “barber” to learn which barber licenses and certifications are eligible for fee repayment.

For category type, select Both. This will help you get the search results you need.

Prep courses for licensing and certification tests

You can use your VA education benefits to pay for courses that help you prepare for licensing and certification tests. We approve only prep courses for licensing and certification tests that we’ve already approved. We’ll prorate the entitlement charges based on the actual amount of the fee charged for the prep course.

To use your education benefits to pay for prep courses, you must have already applied and been approved for 1 of these benefits:

  • Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), or
  • Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35)

Find out how to apply for VA education benefits

How do I get paid back for prep courses for licensing and certification tests?

You’ll need to submit a reimbursement form for your prep courses.

When you submit your completed form, you must include these documents:

  • A copy of the receipt for the prep course, and
  • Proof of enrollment from the school or other educational program

You can fill out our form to request reimbursement 1 of these 3 ways:

Option 1: Request online

You can submit a request online right now.

Option 2: Upload your PDF form online

First, fill out a Request for Reimbursement of Preparatory (Prep) Course for Licensing or Certification Test (VA Form 22-10272).

Get VA Form 22-10272 to download

Then, upload a copy of your completed form using the QuickSubmit tool. If it’s your first time signing in to this tool, you’ll need to register first. After you’ve registered, you can upload your application and documents online.

Upload your completed form using QuickSubmit

Option 3: Mail your form

First, fill out a Request for Reimbursement of Preparatory (Prep) Course for Licensing or Certification Test (VA Form 22-10272).

Get VA Form 22-10272 to download

Then mail your completed form to us.

Find your regional processing office address

How many prep courses can I get paid back for?

We’ll pay for as many prep courses as you want to take as long as you have remaining entitlement and use your benefits within the time limit.

How to contact us if you have questions

You can contact us in either of these ways:

Other information you may need

  • Learn how we determine your payments for specific training programs, like HVAC repair, truck driving, emergency medical technician (EMT) training, and barber or cosmetology school.

  • The Post-9/11 GI Bill helps you pay for school or cover expenses while you’re training for a job. Find out if you can get education benefits through the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

  • If you’re the spouse or child of a Veteran who has died, is missing, or has a permanent and total service-connected disability, you may be able to get help paying for school or job training through the DEA program (also called Chapter 35).

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