Post-9/11 GI Bill at 70% — Will it still cover certification exams?

Yes, at 70% eligibility under the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), you can have certification exam fees fully covered, but you will not receive the full national reimbursement cap per exam. Your benefit tier (based on active duty service after 9/11) determines the percentage of the maximum allowable charge the VA will pay. At 70%, the VA will reimburse 70% of the approved cost for the exam and its associated test fees, and you are responsible for the remaining 30% out-of-pocket (38 CFR 21.9640). The current VA benefit payment policy for licensing and certification tests allows for reimbursement of the test's cost, as well as fees for administration, registration, and proctoring, up to a national cap set annually (for 2024, the cap is $2,443.73 per test). Therefore, for a CompTIA exam costing $500, the VA would pay $350 (70%), and you would pay $150. Importantly, using this benefit does not count against your total months of GI Bill entitlement. For a potentially more comprehensive benefit that covers 100% of exam costs, books, and supplies without a cap, you should immediately explore the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program (Chapter 31), especially if your service-connected disabilities create an employment handicap (38 CFR 3.340, 4.16). Your actionable step is to submit VA Form 22-0803 (Application for Reimbursement of Licensing or Certification Test Fees) through the VA’s official website or your VA file manager, ensuring you include the required proof of payment and test results. **Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes regarding VA benefits and is not official legal, financial, or medical advice; for definitive guidance, consult the VA or an accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO).**