The Air Force Credentialing Opportunities On-Line, or AF COOL has a credential mapping for 642 professional certifications and licenses to support the 190 enlisted Air Force specialty codes. The credentials are at the national and state levels, and from industry. Funding will not exceed a maximum of $4,500 per lifetime per Airman or Space Professional.
Credentialing has two purposes. First, it continues to professionalize the enlisted force by providing up-to-date industry-recognized credentials in an Airman or Space Professional’s job. Second, it provides a way for airmen to prepare for civilian life by ensuring that they are ready for work in the civilian sector. There are many aspects to credentialing including certifications and licenses.
The first requirement for enlisted RegAF, ARES, and ANG component members is you have to be on Title 10 or Title 32.502(f) orders during the complete process.
In addition, to utilize the Air Force Cool program you must meet the following eligibility requirements:
To apply for the Air Force COOL program, click into the Air Force Virtual Education Center (AFVEC). If you meet the requirements, the first step is to search for approved, related credentials. Once you've chosen a credential that you want to pursue, you will need to create an educational goal.
While you're creating this process after your supervisor has approved your educational goal, you'll be able to go into AFVEC and start uploading your supporting documentation. It is the member's responsibility to do the research and find the information that they're wanting to pursue. The AF COOL program does not offer that for you directly. NHDoD will assist in creating your education goal.
Click Here to Download the AF COOL Credentialing Eligibility Letter
To make researching AFSC related credentials easy, below is a list of popular AF COOL approved certification programs. NHDoD, a division of New Horizons Learning Group, has designed several certification programs that significantly leverage the $4500 of funding available. Because these programs offer more than just a single class and exam, Airmen are required to complete each exam before AF Cool will approve the next course in the sequence.
CompTIA IT Operations Specialist (CIOS) | CompTIA A+ CompTIA Network+ |
CompTIA Secure Infrastructure Specialist (CSIS) | CompTIA Network+ CompTIA Security+ |
CompTIA Systems Support Specialist (CSSS) | CompTIA A+ CompTIA Linux+ |
CompTIA Cloud Admin Professional (CCAP) | CompTIA Network+ CompTIA Cloud+ |
CompTIA Network Infrastructure Professional (CNIP) | CompTIA Network+ CompTIA Server+ |
CompTIA Linux Network Professional (CLNP) | CompTIA Network+ CompTIA Linux+ |
CompTIA Secure Cloud Professional (CSCP) | CompTIA Security+ CompTIA Cloud+ |
CompTIA Security Analytics Professional (CSAP) | CompTIA Security+ CompTIA CySA+ |
CompTIA Security Analytics Expert (CSAE) | CompTIA CySA+ CompTIA CASP |
Project Management Sigma Program | Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Project Management Professional |
ITIL Lean Program | Lean Six Sigma Green Belt ITIL Foundations |
Microsoft 365 Modern Desktop Administrator Associate | MD-100T00 Windows 10 MD-101 Managing Modern Desktops |
Microsoft 365 Enterprise Administrator Expert | MS-100 Microsoft 365 Identity and Services MS-101 Microsoft 365 Mobility and Security |
Modern Network Internet of Things Practitioner | Cisco® Implementing and Administering Cisco® Solutions v1.0 (CCNA) CertNexus Certified Internet of Things Practitioner (CIoTP) |
Azure Administrator & Developer Associate | AZ-104T00 - Microsoft Azure Administrator AZ-204T00 - Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure |
Azure Security Engineer Associate | AZ-104T00 - Microsoft Azure Administrator AZ-500T00 Microsoft Azure Security Technologies |
Azure Solutions Architect Expert | AZ-303T00 - Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies AZ-304T00 - Microsoft Azure Architect Design |
Azure DevOps Engineer Expert | AZ-104T00 - Microsoft Azure Administrator AZ-400T00 Designing and Implementing Microsoft DevOps Solutions |
Internet of Things Cloud Practitioner | CertNexus Certified Internet of Things Practitioner (CIoTP) CompTIA Cloud+ |
Internet of Things Security Practitioner | CertNexus Certified Internet of Things Practitioner (CIoTP) CertNexus Certified Internet of Things Security Practitioner (CIoTSP) v1.0 |
Scrum Agile Certified Professional | SCRUMstudy Agile Master Certified (SAMC™) PMI Agile Certified Professional (PMI-ACP)® Exam Preparation |
Additional certification options available for:
Once you've chosen a certification program, your local NHDoD training expert can help you provide the necessary vendor documentation to be uploaded to AFVEC.
When you log into the system and you see on the right hand side of your AFVEC screen under self-service actions, click "Start a Funding Request". If you can't find the exam center that you are looking for in the drop down menu, select the hyperlink for "Find Exam Center". Type in the first word of the location you are looking for. Leave the State as All and hit Search. Next, put in the testing window. You have 60 days before the system pings you and tells you that you need to create a funding request for your exam. You can also create your exam request and the same time you do your study material request. Just know that the exam funding request will give you 120 days that you'll be able to submit for in your window and study material gives you 60 days. So be sure to utilize all of that time frame.
Once you've created a funding request for your AF COOL certification exam and study preparation it's going to go to your supervisor for approval. Once your supervisor approves, it comes to the CPO. If all the documentation is uploaded and good to go, and the right dates and the right goal are input and match your funding request, they will approve and send it to the purchasing agents. They will make the payment on your behalf. You will receive and email at each point of this. Do not proceed to a test or study material without receiving all three of the approval emails from supervisor, CPO, and purchasing agent.
The final step is to study and take the exams. When you take AF COOL approved certification with NHDoD you also get Test Pass Assurance. In the event a candidate fails his/her first attempt on the corresponding certification exam, a candidate can earn a Free 2nd Shot exam. However, the funding will be recouped if individuals fail to provide proof of completion of credential within 120 days. Within 180 days of separation or retirement, the credential costs must be self-funded and reimbursed after proof of completion. The full Air Force COOL program details, application procedures, eligibility requirements and AFSC listings are located on the Air Force Virtual Education Center website or on the Air Force COOL website.