Sky Warrior spouses can receive up to $500 for occupational license transfer

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HI, UNITED STATES

06.25.2019

Story by Tech. Sgt. Heather Salazar 

15th Wing

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii-- The Air Force announced the spouse relicensure reimbursement program, May 15, which provides financial relief up to $500 to Airmen whose spouses must obtain state occupational relicensures or recertifications during a permanent change of station or assignment across state lines.

Any Regular Air Force, Air Force Reserve or Air National Guard Airmen on Title 10 orders may be eligible for this Total Force program. To help compensate for the cost of spouses occupational relicensures or recertifications during a change of station, the Air Force will reimburse qualifying fees incurred on or after Dec. 12, 2017.

“Part of taking care of Airmen and families means making it easier for spouses to continue their careers after a military move,” said former Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson. “This policy reduces financial burdens and makes the professional careers of our Air Force spouses more portable.”

The 2018 National Defense Authorization Act authorized the military services to reimburse service members for occupational state relicensing and recertification costs their spouses incur due to a change of station. While some states authorize reciprocity for certain types of occupational licenses, not all states do, resulting in the spouse needing to update a license or certification according to the new state’s requirements.

“The strength of the nation’s Air Force is not the platforms we operate or the technologies we employ; it is our Airmen and their families. Family readiness is Airman readiness,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein.

The new policy allows for reimbursement of relicensing fees including exams, certifications and registration, and will cover occupations such as teaching, cosmetology, real estate and nursing. Qualifying relicensing costs must be incurred and paid within 24 months of the date the member’s change of station orders are authenticated.

The spouse relicensure reimbursement program is not a one-time program. Airmen may seek reimbursement for each qualifying change of station, providing the circumstances meet the criteria specified in the policy.

“We can’t do enough to support Air Force families. This is a positive step in the right direction to support our spouses as they pursue their own careers,” said Shon Manasco, assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and reserve affairs.

To apply for the spouse relicensure reimbursement program, individuals need to provide a copy of the applicable change of station orders, a copy of your spouse’s original state occupational license, and the paid receipts for items required to obtain relicensing from the new state, such as exam fees and registration fees, to their local Finance Office.

Airmen and spouses can find more information about this program at www.afpc.af.mil/Benefits-and-Entitlements/Employment-Resources or contact the 15th Wing Comptroller Squadron via email [e-mail] or by phone [phone].

• Date Taken: 06.25.2019
• Date Posted: 06.25.2019 19:39
• Story ID: 329164
• Location: JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HI, US