Kaine has bill to help active duty military gain civilian credentials

Turning military training into a credential for a civilian job isn’t as easy as it ought to be, in Sen. Tim Kaine’s view, and he’s introduced a bill to smooth the path, by authorizing use of the military’s Tuition Assistance Program to pay for testing fees, testing material and licensing fees.

“While some servicemembers transition out of the military and decide to pursue a degree at a college or university, countless others are ready to immediately enter the workforce with the skills they obtained through military training,” he said.

With his bill, men and women in the military who don’t need to go back to school will be able to pay for the tests and professional licenses they need to apply their skills in civilian life.

The Tuition Assistance Program pays up to $4,500 a year to men and women in the military for postsecondary courses and degree programs. The Defense Department estiamtes that the average cost of certification and license fees averages about $300.

The bill is a follow up to legislation Kaine introduced last year that aimed at aligning military skills with civilian credentials. His proposals were incorporated into the main Defense Department authorization act.

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