GI Bill certification test reimbursement: how to get your exam fee paid back

Quick answer: The GI Bill reimburses licensing and certification test fees up to $2,000 per test for veterans covered under Chapter 33, 30, 1606, or 35. You pay the fee, take the test, then file VA Form 22-0803 with your receipt and results. One thing to know up front: the VA claims agent accreditation exam itself has no VA fee, so there is nothing to reimburse for it. This benefit matters for the paid certification exams veterans take before or after, like the CRCST or RBT.

Sources checked October 7, 2026. Independent guide, not affiliated with VA. Not legal or benefits advice.

How the reimbursement works

The GI Bill covers more than tuition. Under the licensing and certification test benefit, you can use part of your entitlement to cover the cost of tests required for a job that needs a license or certification. VA pays you back for the cost of the test, including registration and administrative fees, up to the $2,000 cap. The test has to be one VA recognizes for this purpose, so check that your exam is on VA's approved list before you count on the money. The details live on VA's own page about licensing and certification tests.

A few rules worth knowing. There is no limit on the number of different tests you can get reimbursed for, but you cannot claim benefits to retake a test you already passed. Your GI Bill entitlement is charged based on the amount VA pays back, so this is not free money; it draws down the same entitlement pool as tuition. The rates page for your benefit explains the exact charge calculation.

Who qualifies

You must already be covered under one of these VA education benefits:

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

If you are not yet using VA education benefits, you need to apply for the benefit itself first, then file the reimbursement separately.

How to file: VA Form 22-0803

1. Take the test and keep your receipt. You need proof you paid the testing fee.
2. Complete VA Form 22-0803, the Request for Reimbursement of Licensing or Certification Test Fees. You can fill it out online (VA will prompt you to download the completed form) or download the PDF to fill by hand.
3. Attach two documents: a copy of the receipt for the testing fee, and a copy of your test results or your license/certificate.
4. Submit it. Upload the form through VA's QuickSubmit, or mail it to your VA regional processing office.

VA also covers certain licensing and certification prep courses under a related benefit. If you paid for a structured prep course for an approved test, check VA's page to see whether it qualifies separately from the test fee itself.

What this means for certification candidates

Professional certification exams commonly cost between $150 and $500, well under the $2,000 cap, so eligible veterans usually get the entire fee back. The practical sequence: schedule and pay for your exam normally, sit for it, then file for reimbursement the same week while your receipt and results are in hand. Do not wait months; paperwork gets lost and motivation fades. And remember the entitlement trade: a $200 reimbursement draws down a small slice of your GI Bill, so weigh it against tuition needs if your entitlement is nearly exhausted.