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.
Our team of client advisors have worked through the process of using unit funds on active duty and are very familiar with the regulations and processes to ensure you and your team are kept in compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). This page is meant to be your guide to understanding how sf-182 unit funding works, the benefits of providing commercial off the shelf training in project management for your organization as professional development, and the step-by-step process on how to do so.
SF-182 unit funding 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). All of our training includes the exam and failure retest* with a year of unlimited re-attendance. Read more about how to use sf-182 unit funding and how our certification training is in compliance with the FAR below.
*Exam and Retest fees not applicable with CCMP
How SF-182 Unit and Organizational Funding Works for Certifications
Historically, unit funding could be used to send any DoD or Federal employee to any civilian course that was regularly scheduled, open to the public, and aligned with skills necessary for the individual. This is still the case, but there has been one BIG change. Off-the-shelf training does not fall under services, and the micro-purchase threshold is not $25k as an aggregate but per student.
For PM-ProLearn, we do not custom-schedule courses. Instead, we use a demand-based forecast model. If we believe there will be enough interest in a particular modality (live, virtual, or in-person), we will schedule courses worldwide based on potential demand. This allows organizations to send individuals to our training using the SF-182.
In June of 2024, the FAR was updated to address certification training.
SF-182-Approved Certifications
With PM-ProLearn, you can pursue any of the following training programs for your team using SF-182 funding.
Exclusive PM-ProLearn Benefits
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 SF-182 unit or organizational funding, but first it's important to understand the FAR regulations associated with it. You can read the details below.
*Exam and Retest Fees Not Applicable with CCMP
Eligibility Requirements for SF-182 Unit/Organizational Funding
FAR Regulations: Chapter 8 - Education, Training and Tuition Assistance
8-1. SF 182 Training Payments (Non-FAR based training actions)
a. References. 5 USC 4109 gives the head of an agency the authority to pay for training and makes Training, Education, and Professional Development (TE&PD) service a valid expense of the U.S. Government. FAR 13 provides authority for Simplified Acquisition and micro-purchase of services. DoD policy is to use the GPC to make FMR-based Miscellaneous Payments for TE&PD services from non-government sources. See DoDI 1400.25 Volume 410 for additional information regarding the appropriate use.
b. SF 182. The SF 182 (Authorization, Agreement, and Certification of Training) is the authorized and required training obligating document. GPC payments for commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) training must be accompanied by an SF 182 or approved equivalent. Government or non-government sources may provide authorized training. Each student attending training must complete an SF 182. A single SF 182 must not be used for a group of individuals to attend training.
c. The GPC will be the method of payment for all commercial training requirements using the SF 182, valued at or below $25,000, in lieu of an employee reimbursement by miscellaneous payments under the DoD FMR Volume 10, Chapter 12, Section 3.23, and DoDI 1400.25, Volume 410. The SF 182 is not a FAR-based transaction. As such, the MPT for services does not apply to these types of transactions. DoD has decided to use the GPC to purchase training authorized by using a single SF 182 to a cap of $25,000 per transaction.
d. CHs (primarily TE&PD Educational Office personnel) will use the GPC to pay for COTS training and education up to a single purchase limit of $25,000. See AFARS 5113.270-90(g).
Individual Slots in Existing Training Course
Each slot purchased may be considered its own transaction, even when paid together. Each student must have an approved SF 182. Each slot must be below $25,000 per student. CHs may purchase each slot as a separate transaction or may combine the slots into a single transaction for the total amount. To be considered COTS, training from non-government sources must meet the following criteria:
Regularly scheduled
The TE&PD event can be found in an established print or online offering. The event does not have to be held on a scheduled date and time if the training provider makes it available at any time, such as an online course.
Off-the-shelf TE&PD service available to the general public
The service is a commercially available TE&PD event or a planned series of the same event, activity, service, or material, requiring no modification before use. Such training may occur on or off federal property and may include non-federal employees.
Priced the same for everyone in the same category
The service is priced the same per student, course, service, or training space. In other words, the same event is offered at an equal price to all customers.
Step-By-Step Guide for Using SF-182 Funding
Step 1: Talk with the command about overall budget and their willingness to fund one individual or multiple folks to attend a class.
Step 2: Find the class you want to attend in our catalog by visiting our website and viewing “Upcoming courses.” If you don’t see one in your area, that's ok. We may be able to schedule something based on demand.
Step 3: Click on the “Enroll Now” button to connect with a client advisor. This is where you can enter the number of students and location you wish to train if a current class isn't already on the schedule. Your advisor will send you a quote and a prefilled SF-182. Even if there is a group of you planning to attend the same class, each student needs to complete this step to get their own SF-182.
Step 4: Route the SF-182 through your chain of command for signature. Once Signed move to step 5.
Step 5: Have your GPC holder call 301-494-3888 and make payment over the phone for one or multiple individuals who plan to attend.
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 SF-182 Funding for Certifications: A Step-By-Step Process
Why Use SF-182 Funding to Invest in Certification Courses for Your Team?
Military planning and mission execution closely resemble project management skills, but the industry incorporates leading approaches and tools that are often overlooked by the military. These include efficiency, quality, stakeholder management, communications management, and scheduling. Other tools, such as Earned Value Management and risk management based on mission success rather than physical injury, are also extremely beneficial.
Lastly, DoD directives and policies reinforce the value of civilian/commercial training. DoD Dir 5010.42 and 5010.43 both highlight the need for continuous process improvement and Lean Six Sigma training.
The 2016 Program Management Improvement Accountability Act (PMIAA) requires OMB to incorporate standardized training across all federal entities to improve project management and execution.
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
Courses that are recommended for SF-182 use are PMP®, PMI-ACP®, CAPM®, LSSGB, and CCMP.
*Exam and Retest Fees Not Applicable with CCMP
I would like to take the opportunity to thank the instructors at PM-ProLearn for their professionalism and quality service during my preparation for the PMI-ACP exam. When I earned my PMP credentials with the help from PM-ProLearn’s exam preparation courses in 2020, it was without question I was going to enlist their services again to prepare me for the PMI-ACP. I want to send a major shout out to Stacy King for leading the PMI-ACP exam preparation course as I passed the exam and earned the PMI-ACP credential. If you are a transitioning service member, I fully recommend pursuing the PMP and PMI-ACP credentials prior to your departure. These important courses not only look good on resumes, but also help in your preparation for a new future. Lastly, even if you are not transitioning, I still recommend pursuing the PMP and PMI-ACP because the tools and techniques learned in these courses will help you in your current career and set you apart from your peers.
Steven Pyles, PMP, PMI-ACP
Frequently Asked Questions about SF-182 Funding for Certifications
The SF-182 is the specific form used to authorize payment using your unit's or organization's federal funds to pay for training for federal employees. The funds come from the unit's or organization's federal yearly budget.
All Federal Civilian and Military Personnel may use the SF-182 form to secure funding to pay for training, assuming the unit's or organization's budget holders approve the use of their budget and the training follows specific guidelines, such as being regularly scheduled, off-the-shelf training that is priced the same for everyone.
With PM-ProLearn, SF-182 Unit and Organizational Funding 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
Our advisement team will provide the SF-182 form with all the appropriate information. Your leaders must sign the form for authorization and then they can pay for training over the phone. Since payment is immediate, there's no waiting period like other military funding options, and you'll be enrolled immediately or at least two weeks before your course to complete the associated pre-work.
No, each individual must submit their own SF-182 to be approved. Once all SF-182s are signed, then either individual purchases made by the GPC holder, or one single purchase can be made to cover all individuals.
No, with the updated FAR, there is no limit on the aggregated amount of the training. Instead, the $25k limit is on each individual student cost for Commercial off the shelf training (COTS). (Reference FAR 8-1 scenario 1 1)
Start Your Certification Journey Today
Don’t hesitate to use your SF-182 Unit and Organizational Funding 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 process makes funding the certifications you need to develop your desired career easy.