Marine Corps Adds $500 Professional Relicensing Reimbursement to Spouse Employment Resources

24 May 2019 | Desiree Chavis The Official United States Marine Corps Public Website

The Marine Corps has announced its new relicensing fee reimbursement program for spouses, authorized by the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act. The NDAA allows military branches to reimburse service members for occupational relicensing and recertification expenses incurred by their spouses due to a permanent change of station to a new state.

Marine Corps Manpower and Reserve Affairs may reimburse Marines up to $500 toward qualifying relicensing or recertification cost of a spouse due to relocation to another state for PCSs effected on or after 12 December 2017. 

"Within the Marine Corps community, spouses have a vital role in supporting their Marines and the Corps' overall readiness and resiliency," said Lieutenant General Michael A. Rocco, Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. "Providing this assistance to spouses who face the challenge of interrupting their professional careers and updating their credentials with a move to a new duty station is another example of family readiness." 

What is a qualifying expense?

When moving to a new state, spouses accompanying their Marine may need to update a license or certification according to the new state’s requirements. This provision will help alleviate the financial load of recertification or licensing, and Marines and their spouses can take advantage of this program with each qualifying move. Qualifying costs for this program must be:
- Imposed by the Marine’s new duty station state for a spouse to secure a license or certification to continue working in the same profession from the state of the previous duty station.
- Incurred or paid by the member or spouse to secure the license or certification from the state of the new duty station after the date PCS orders are issued.

How does it work? 

Spouses who wish to take advantage of this provision may begin the process by bringing the following documentation to their local on-base Personnel Administration Office:
- A copy of PCS Orders
- A copy of previous certification/license 
- A copy of new recertification/relicensing document
- Receipt showing recertification/relicensing fees

When is reimbursement effective?

- Reimbursement eligibility is effective as of 12 December 2017 through 31 December 2022.
- Requests for reimbursement relicensing/recertification fees associated with PCS orders issued from December 2017 through May 2019 must be submitted no later than May 2021. 
- Requests for reimbursement of applicable relicensing/recertification fees associated with PCS orders issued after May 2019 must be submitted no later than 24 months after issued date of PCS orders. 

To learn more about the recertification reimbursement, read MARADMIN 304/19. For guidance on state laws regarding professional licensing, visit www.veterans.gov/milspouses. 

The Marine Corps’ addition of the relicensing reimbursement initiative complements the existing suite of programs designed to help spouses continue their career development. Other resources available to spouses can be explored through the Family Member Employment Assistance Program.