Before you leave the Army
Army Pays for Your Civilian Credential
Army Credentialing Assistance can pay the cost of a civilian certification or license while you are still serving.
Amounts change. These are the limits on the official Army pages as of March 2026 (rule effective March 19, 2026). Confirm the current figure on the Army Benefits page before you plan around it.
What it is
Army Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL) shows which civilian credentials match your Army job. Army Credentialing Assistance (CA) is the program that pays for the training, exam and related fees. A credential on your resume is a fast way to be hired after service, so use this before you separate.
Who qualifies
- Active duty Soldiers who have finished Basic Combat Training (Army Benefits page).
- Commissioned officers (O-1 to O-10) are not eligible, with an exception for credentials already in progress.
What it pays (as of March 2026)
- Up to $2,000 a year and one credential a year; aviation credentials are limited to $1,000 a year.
- No more than three credentials in 10 years.
- Covers the approved course and required materials, the exam and recertification (Army Benefits page).
What it pays (as of March 2026)
at least 45 business daysbefore the course or exam starts
no more than 90 days aheadYour own education center may set its own timing
How to get it, step by step
- First-time users finish the ArmyIgnitED credentialing assistance training and use the decision support tool before asking.
- Pick the credential and get a vendor quote.
- Send your request in ArmyIgnitED. Your supervisor or commander must approve it.
- Ask early: the Army Benefits page says to submit at least 45 business days before the course or exam starts, and no more than 90 days ahead. Your own education center may set its own timing, so ask them.
- Take the exam. You must take the credential exam or the Army can recoup the money it paid.
Traps
- If you skip the exam, you owe the money back.
- Two recoupment actions between Tuition Assistance and CA in the same fiscal year can suspend you from asking for 12 months.
- Requests need funds available, and amounts can change.
Where to call and where to go
Phone
- I found no Army-wide phone number for this program. Call the Army Education Center at your own installation. The Army publishes an Army Education Center contact list (PDF, updated 18 April 2025) with phone numbers and emails for every installation.
Official pages
Sources
Next step: Plan Your Transition walks you through getting out in six steps.