At PM-ProLearn, we’re dedicated to helping people just like you enhance their careers and their lives with professional certifications. As a company owned and operated by Veterans with real-world project management experience, we have the unique capability to understand your individual situation and guide you to where you need to be.
As an approved training partner within Army IgnitEd, you can use your Credential Assistance (Army CA) benefit to earn multiple certifications at no cost to you. This page is meant to be your guide to understanding how Army CA works, the benefits of using Army CA for certifications, and the step-by-step process on how to do so.
Army CA can be used to fund all of our certification programs, including Project Management Professional (PMP®), Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP®), Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM®), Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, and Certified Change Management Professional (CCMP). Our training includes the exam and failure retest* with a year of unlimited re-attendance. Read more about how Army CA through Armyignited works for certifications below.
*Exam and Retest fees not applicable with CCMP
How Army Credential Assistance Works for Certifications through Army IgnitEd
The Army created the Credential Assistance (Army CA) program in 2020. It is open to all Active, Guard, and Reserve Soldiers and shares the same $4k allocation with Tuition Assistance (TA). Army CA allows soldiers to pursue training toward Army Cool/DoD Cool-approved Certifications and covers training, materials, exams, and recertification fees.
The Army removed the Additional Duty Service Obligation (ADSO) in 2021, but it remains for Tuition Assistance.
Army CA is similar to TA in that:
1) Soldiers only have $4k total to use for CA or TA
2) All vendors must be approved by CA and be listed in ArmyIgnitED
3) Students can pick which training company they want to use
4) Students are responsible for understanding vendor/school policies
5) Students MUST complete or pass any course or exam the army funds.
Army CA is different than TA in that:
1) It does NOT have an ADSO
2) It is NOT connected to a specific MOS
3) It is NOT connected to your Rank
4) It is NOT connected to any previous degrees you have
5) Funding is paid upfront, and each vendor has their own policies on what is included and the length of time you can attend.
Army Cool-Approved Certifications
So, what can you get with your $4k of benefits? With PM-ProLearn, you can pursue any two of our certifications each year, with exam fees included. This is important because the Army expects you to pass what they pay for. In our case, they only pay for the training, and we pay for the exam and a re-test* if needed as an added value to you. (This is not a bundle.)
*Exam and Retest Fees Not Applicable with CCMP
Exclusive PM-ProLearn Benefits
As mentioned above, in addition to your training, PM-ProLearn will pay for your certification exam and a retest fee* if needed (Restrictions Apply) as an added value and at no additional cost. Your training costs include a variety of benefits you can only get from PM-ProLearn for an entire year, including:
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Free re-attendance to our live or virtual courses as often as you’d like
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Access to our online learning system, including videos, quizzes, practice tests, mastery tracking of key concepts, and so much more
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Ability to schedule 1-1 coaching with an instructor whenever you feel you need a bit of extra support and guidance along your journey
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Working with an instructor to expertly translate your military experience and craft a compelling PMI application
Below, we’ll outline the step-by-step process for using your Army CA benefits through Army IgnitEd. If you have already used your Tuition Assistance, you can only pull from what you have remaining.
*Exam and Retest Fees Not Applicable with CCMP
Eligibility Requirements for Army Credentialing Assistance
The Army Credentialing Assistance Program through ArmyIgnitEd is provided to soldiers who are:
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Regular Army
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Active Guard Reserve (AGR) pursuant to Title 10 and Title 32
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U.S. Army Reserve (USAR)
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Army National Guard (ARNG)
Soldiers must be in an active drilling status with a designation as satisfactory. Soldiers must also have more than 90 days to ETS (Expiration Term of Service) and complete any training 30 days prior to ETS.
How much time do I have to use my benefits?
Currently, soldiers may use up to $4000 each fiscal year, which runs from October through September. However, due to processing timelines, the army requires funding requests no later than July each year and class start dates no later than September. Any funding requests received after July would count towards the following fiscal year. Your CA request must be submitted at least 45 days prior to the course start date.
How do I know if I still have benefits?
Great question! Before deciding on a course, log into your armignited account and check your educational balance. If you have not used Army CA or TA this year you have $4k.
Step-By-Step Guide for Using Army CA with ArmyIgnitEd
Step 1: If you haven’t been assigned to an advisor yet, please fill out this quick form to get started. While you wait for your advisor’s welcome email, move on to step 2 to verify your benefits. You can also download our checklist to help you along the way!
Step 2: Log into your ArmyIgnitEd account and check your educational funds.
Step 3: Once you have confirmed your benefits and eligibility, select a course to attend. The “Upcoming Courses” menu at the top of our website allows you to select the certification type you’re interested in and view a list of available classes.
Step 4: By this point, you should be in contact with your advisor. Confirm your eligibility benefits and the course you are interested in with your advisor. Once confirmed, they will send you an invoice and other instructions to help with the Army CA request process through the ArmyIgnitEd portal. You can submit for two certifications at once if you wish.
Step 5: Within about 30 to 45 days, we will receive payment from the army (assuming everything was submitted correctly). Once we received payment, we will notify our enrollmet team and you will be enrolled into your desired course. If payment comes in early, you might be able to join an earlier class if you wish.
Step 6: Congratulations! Your funding process is complete, and you will be fully enrolled 2 weeks before your desired course, where you’ll be able to complete the pre-work to your selected certification online before your selected class starts.
How to Use ArmyIgnitEd for Certifications: A Step-By-Step Process
Why Use Army IgnitEd for Certifications at PM-ProLearn
As a company owned and operated by Veterans with real-world project management experience, we have the unique capability to understand your individual situation and guide you to where you need to be.
In addition to your training, PM-ProLearn will pay for your certification exam and a retest fee* if needed (Restrictions Apply) as an added value and at no additional cost. Your training costs include a variety of benefits you can only get from PM-ProLearn for an entire year, including:
-
Free re-attendance to our live or virtual courses as often as you’d like
-
Access to our online learning system, including videos, quizzes, practice tests, mastery tracking of key concepts, and so much more
-
Ability to schedule 1-1 coaching with an instructor whenever you feel you need a bit of extra support and guidance along your journey
-
Working with an instructor to expertly translate your military experience and craft a compelling PMI application
Army CA through ArmyIgnitEd covers training costs and exam fees for the PMP®, PMI-ACP®, CAPM®, LSSGB, and CCMP certifications.
*Exam and Retest Fees Not Applicable with CCMP
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I am thrilled to share my experience with PM-ProLearn after successfully passing the PMP exam. The comprehensive training provided was instrumental in my preparation and confidence to excel. I attended the in-person class, which spanned an intensive week. The instructor was knowledgeable and engaging, making complex concepts easier to understand and apply. The interactive sessions and real-world examples provided a solid foundation in project management principles.
Additionally, the PM-ProLearn website offered an excellent study plan and practice quizzes that were crucial in my preparation. The structured approach and variety of resources helped me stay on track and identify areas where I needed further review. The practice quizzes, in particular, were a game-changer, allowing me to gauge my understanding and readiness for the actual exam. Thanks to PM-ProLearn, I gained the knowledge and confidence needed to pass the PMP exam. Their support and resources are unparalleled, and I highly recommend their training to anyone aspiring to earn their certification.
Thank you, PM-ProLearn, for your exceptional program and unwavering support!
Jason Gresham, PMP, PMI-ACP
Frequently Asked Questions about ArmyCA, ArmyCOOL, and ArmyIgnitEd for Certifications
ArmyIgnitEd is the web-based portal that allows eligible U.S. Army Soldiers, Cadets and Retired Civilians to request financial assistance for education purposes.
Army CA or Army Credentialing Assistance is the actual funding program that provides funding for courses and exams for industry recognized certifications for eligible army soldiers.
Army COOL or Army Credentialing Opportunities On-Line is an on-line tool soldiers can use to find information on certifications and licenses related to their military occupation and civilian careers. Once an opportunity is found, soldiers can request ArmyCA funding through the ArmyIgnitEd system to pay for the costs associated with their Army COOL approved certification or license.
Any active duty, Army Reserve, or National Guard soldier, regardless of rank (enlisted, NCO, officer, warrant officer), is eligible for Army Credentialing Assistance (CA) funding. Soldiers must also have more than 90 days to ETS (Expiration Term of Service) and complete any training 30 days prior to ETS.
With PM-ProLearn, Army CA can be used for Project Management Professional PMP®, Agile Certified Practitioner PMI-ACP®, Certified Associate in Project Management CAPM®, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt LSSGB, or Certified Change Management Professional CCMP
Army CA provides eligible soldiers with up to $4,000 annually for certification courses and exam costs. Funding requests are made at least 45 days before the start of class through the ArmyIgnitEd portal using an invoice provided by your selected institution. Once approved, the Army sends the funding directly to your educational institution of choice.
No, ArmyCA is not available for family members or dependents
No, Veterans are not eligible to receive ArmyCA. Soldiers must have more than 90 days to ETS (Expiration Term of Service) and complete any training 30 days prior to ETS.
You'll need enough benefits remaining to cover the cost of the certification you are interested. Since ArmyCA allows up to $4,000 per year, you could earn up to 2 certifications with PM-ProLearn each year.
Requests through ArmyCA must be done at least 45 days prior to the class start date as it can take that long to process funding.
You can log in to your ArmyIgnitEd account by visiting https://armyignited.army.mil/student/account/login
Start Your Certification Journey Today
Don’t hesitate to use your ArmyCA benefits through ArmyIgnitEd for certifications today! Earning a professional certification like the PMP®, PMI-ACP®, CAPM®, LSSGB, and CCMP has many great benefits, including potential salary increases, new job opportunities, and making yourself more marketable in a competitive job market. Our partnership with the ArmyCA program through ArmyIgnitEd makes earning the certifications you need to develop your desired career easy.