R 141403Z SEP 26
MARADMIN 413/26
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MF//
SUBJ/UPDATE ON REIMBURSEMENT OF QUALIFYING SPOUSE
RELICENSING/RECERTIFICATION COSTS AND BUSINESS COSTS//
REF/A/STATUTE/37 USC 453//
REF/B/DOC/NDAA/22DEC23//
REF/C/DOC/ASN/20DEC18//
NARR/REF A IS SECTION 453 OF TITLE 37, UNITED STATES CODE, ALLOWABLE
TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION ALLOWANCE AUTHORITIES.  REF B IS FY23
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT (NDAA), AUTHORIZING THE INCLUSION
OF SPOUSE BUSINESS COSTS INCURRED AS A RESULT OF A PERMANENT CHANGE
OF STATION (PCS) FROM ONE JURISDICTION TO ANOTHER.  REF C IS ASN
M&RA) AUTHORIZATION MEMO, MILITARY SPOUSE LICENSURE REIMBURSEMENT.//
POC/KRYSTAL CARDENAS/UNIT: MFR/-/TEL:703-432-2931/
EMAIL: KRYSTAL.L.CARDENAS.CIV@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  The purpose of this MARADMIN is to provide
an update to the eligibility and reimbursement process for
relicensure, recertification, and business costs for Marine spouses,
under the authority of references (a) and (b).
2.  Headquarters Marine Corps, Manpower and Reserve Affairs may
reimburse Marines for qualifying state relicensing and/or
recertification, and business costs incurred or paid by their spouse
arising from permanent change of station (PCS) to another
jurisdiction.  A jurisdiction includes the 50 states, U.S.
territories, the District of Columbia and military installations
located outside the continental United States.
3.  Per references (a) and (b), the term “qualified
licensing/certification costs” includes costs of exams, continuing
education courses, business licenses, permits, and registration fees
that:
3.a.  Are imposed by the jurisdiction in which the spouse is
required to obtain a new professional license or certification to
continue working in the same profession in which the spouse was
previously licensed, certified, or employed.
3.b.  Are incurred or paid by the spouse to secure the license or
certification from the jurisdiction of the new Permanent Duty
Station (PDS) after the date on which the orders directing the
reassignment of the member are effective.
4.  Per references (a) and (b), the term “qualified business costs”
includes cost of moving services for equipment, equipment removal,
new equipment purchase, information technology expenses and
inspection fees incurred or paid by the spouse of a Marine if:
4.a.  The spouse owned a business during the Marine’s previous PDS.
4.b.  The costs result from movement of that business to the
jurisdiction of the new PDS.
5.  A Marine may be reimbursed up to $1000 for qualifying
licensing/certification costs for those orders executed after
1 October 2022, and may be reimbursed up to $1000 for qualifying
business costs for those orders issued on or after 22 December 2023,
when the following criteria are met:
5.a.  The Marine relocated to a new jurisdiction due to PCS orders.
5.b.  Movement of the Marine’s spouse at government expense was
authorized on the PCS orders.
5.c.  The spouse relocated to a new jurisdiction in accordance with
the PCS orders.
5.d.  For license/certification costs, the spouse obtained the
license/certification to continue in the same profession in which 
the spouse was previously licensed/certified in the new
jurisdiction.
5.e.  For business costs, the spouse owned the business during
the previous duty assignment and relocated the business to a new
jurisdiction.
6.  The following additional considerations clarify application of
reimbursement eligibility requirements:
6.a.  Marine spouses may be eligible for reimbursement of
professional license/certification costs for employment obtained
outside the jurisdiction identified on PCS orders, when the place
of employment is within reasonable commuting distance of the new
PDS, provided all other program eligibility requirements are met.
6.b.  Marine spouses unable to utilize a professional license or
certification due to an OCONUS assignment may be eligible for
reimbursement at the subsequent duty station for the license or
certification held prior to the OCONUS assignment, provided the
credential remains in good standing and all other program
eligibility requirements are met.
6.c.  Marine spouses who maintained a professional license
or certification from a prior jurisdiction and were not required
to obtain a new credential at a follow-on PDS due to license
portability, reciprocity, or other applicable provisions may
remain eligible for reimbursement at a subsequent PDS where a
new license or certification in the same profession is required,
provided the previously held credential remains in good standing
and all other program eligibility requirements are met.
7.  Costs not eligible for reimbursement include:
7.a.  Costs associated with unsuccessful attempts to obtain
licensure or certification.
7.b.  Costs associated with separation or retirement orders which
are not considered PCS orders.
7.c.  Costs associated with travel to a testing site.
7.d.  Costs associated with licensure or certification that are
applicable in all jurisdictions, therefore not PCS related.
8.  Effective dates:
8.a.  Reimbursement eligibility is effective as of 1 October 2022
for license/certification costs and 22 December 2023 for business
costs.  Unless reference (a)and (b) are amended, eligibility is
effective through 31 December 2029.
8.b.  Requests for reimbursement of licensing/certification and
business costs associated with execution of PCS orders, shall be
submitted NLT 24 months after the effective date of PCS orders.
9.  Required documentation needed for reimbursement:
9.a.  A copy of the Marine’s PCS orders along with the dependent
authorization to travel.
9.b.  A copy of the old license from the previous jurisdiction (or
proof of employment in that profession if a license was not
required in the previous jurisdiction) or proof of ownership of a
business.
9.c.  A copy of new license/certification issued by the new
jurisdiction.
9.d.  Copy of the receipt(s) indicating all fees associated
with and claimed by the Marine for the spouse’s
licensure/certification or qualified business costs for
relocation of a spouse-owned business.
10.  All requests shall be submitted through the local Personnel
Administration Office/Center.  Personnel Administration
Office/Centers refer to the following coordinating instructions. 
10.a.  Personnel Administration Offices will validate dependency and
collect all required supporting documents from the Marine/spouse for
submission via NAVMC 11116.  The executed PCS orders and
DD Form 1351-2(“Travel Voucher or Sub-voucher”) in addition to the
documents required in reference (b), will be used to substantiate
payment and must be attached to the NAVMC 11116.
10.b.  Disbursing/Finance Officers will validate all attachments and
process the unit diary entry indicated below for credit to the
Service Member’s wages.
0694 000 CRED (1)-$ (2) ((3)) ED(4)
Pay Code 
Amount 
Tax Code “1” will be utilized for Federal Income Tax Withholding and
State Income Tax Withholding deduction from wages.
Effective Date of Payment (YYYYMMDD)
Pay codes to be used:
19950- Active Duty Officer
29950- Active Duty Enlisted
31199- Active Reserve Officer
31399- Active Reserve Enlisted
11.  To learn more about reimbursement and/or spouse employment
resources, please contact your local Family Member Employment
Assistance Program office.
https://usmc-mccs.org/services/career/family-member-employment-
assistance/
12.  For license and certification information nationwide, visit
the Department of Labor’s portal at www.veterans.gov/milspouses.
This portal provides State law guidance including information on
temporary or expedited licensing/certification, and
licensure/certifications by endorsement.
13.  This MARADMIN is applicable to Active Duty and Active Reserve
Marines.
14.  Release authorized by Mr. Gregory T. Goldstein, Director,
Marine and Family Programs Division.//