81 Certifications VR&E Will Pay For — No $2,000 Cap, No Reimbursement Hassle

The GI Bill® caps certification funding at $2,000 per test and makes you pay upfront. VR&E has no cap and pays the testing center directly. Here are 81 certifications across 7 career fields that veterans are getting funded through Chapter 31.

Check Your VR&E Eligibility

How VR&E Funds Certifications

No Per-Test Cap

VR&E pays the full exam fee through Purchase Orders, with no reimbursement hassle.

Prep Courses Included

Training programs, bootcamps, and study materials are all fundable under your plan.

Multiple Certifications

Your Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan can include a stack of certifications aligned to your career goal.

Study Materials Covered

Books, practice exams, lab access, and vouchers — all funded through Purchase Orders.

REAL TALK

A CISSP costs $749. A CEH costs $1,199. A PMP costs $555 plus the $129 membership fee. Under the GI Bill®, you’d pay all of that upfront and hope for reimbursement. Under VR&E, a Purchase Order goes straight to the testing center and you pay zero. That’s not a small difference — that’s the difference between getting certified and not getting certified.

Browse Certifications by Career Field

IT & Cybersecurity

15 Certifications
$134–$1,199 Exam Cost Range
Browse IT & Cybersecurity

Cloud Computing & DevOps

15 Certifications
$70–$445 Exam Cost Range
Browse Cloud & DevOps

Project Management & Agile

8 Certifications
$200–$1,200 Exam Cost Range
Browse Project Management

Healthcare

12 Certifications
$110–$399 Exam Cost Range
Browse Healthcare

Skilled Trades

14 Certifications
$75–$400 Exam Cost Range
Browse Skilled Trades

Finance & Business

11 Certifications
$49–$699 Exam Cost Range
Browse Finance & Business

Education & Teaching

6 Certifications
$55–$1,900 Exam Cost Range
Browse Education & Teaching

VR&E vs GI Bill® for Certifications: Know the Difference

VR&E Chapter 31 has no per-test dollar cap and funds prep materials, study courses, and exam vouchers as part of your rehabilitation plan. The GI Bill® caps certification reimbursement at $2,000 per test and requires veterans to pay upfront, then wait for reimbursement. If you have a service-connected disability rating, VR&E may be the stronger path to getting your certifications fully funded.

See Full Comparison

See If You Qualify

Start with the free checklist. If you’re eligible, the Application Toolkit walks you through getting certifications into your plan.

Need help presenting your certification plan to your VRC? Counselor Meeting Prep — $497

Pathfinder Benefits provides educational information only. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. We do not prepare, present, or prosecute VA benefit claims. For claim assistance, contact a VA-accredited representative at va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation.