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How to use Marine Corps COOL for Certification Exams.

Writer: Josh Atkinson
Josh Atkinson
Aug 31
6 min read

Many Marines have already taken—or have the opportunity to take—a free PMP® certification training course through PM-ProLearn, sponsored by the Marine Corps Association (MCA). The program covers the full cost of training and includes one year of access to our online training platform, robust study materials, and full student support to help you prepare for and pass the PMP® exam. We've put this guide together to help Marines use USMC COOL to pay for their PMP® exam and complete their certification process.


Marines may be able to use USMC COOL to have the PMP® exam fee funded, allowing you to pursue the full certification without paying the exam cost out of pocket.


This guide walks you through the USMC COOL process step by step, including eligibility requirements, funding criteria, time-in-service waivers, required timelines, reimbursement requirements, and how to request your funding.


If you are interested in attending a course, please contact an advisor by filling out our website form.



To begin, go to the Main Menu under "Get Certified" then "Credentialing Steps," and click "Get Funding Request Form" to complete the Eligibility Tool and generate your funding request.


To qualify for Marine Corps COOL funding:


  • Enlisted Marines must meet the following eligibility requirements:

    1. Must be on Active Duty/Active Reserve/Reservist and have 180 days remaining on their contract / active-duty orders.


    2. Be in the enlisted Primary MOS (PMOS) or possess a previous PMOS which the credentials are mapped to, or be an E4 or above for the LEADER credentials.


    3. Must have been trained and provide proof of training for credentials listed under collateral duties / other billets.


  • Eligibility for Marines to receive credential funding must be validated and approved by a Command Approver E-7/W-1/O-1/GS-9 or above. Additionally, before authorizing the request, commands must also certify that Marines:


    1. Have passed their most recent Physical Fitness Test (PFT) and Combat Fitness Test (CFT) or been officially exempted.


    2. Have not received a non-judicial punishment or court-martial within the past six months.


    3. Have been recommended for promotion or be promotion eligible.


  • Must have at least six months remaining on enlistment or service obligation. Waivers (not available for the Cybersecurity Workforce) may be considered if Marines:


    1. Are being discharged or released from service due to a combat-related injury.


    2. Have served at least 20 years in the Marine Corps and completed all certification requirements 60 days prior to separation.


    3. Intend to reenlist or extend but are awaiting execution (i.e., pending service reenlistment bonus timeframes) of the reenlistment/extension. The waiver package must include a Marine Corps Credentialing Program Professional Certification and Licensing Funding Request, and a command endorsed and executed IRAM MCO P1070.12K, page-11 Administrative Remarks noting the Marine's intention to extend or reenlist.


    4. Possess a college degree related to the credential. Must provide a copy of the degree or transcript.


Note: For VOLUNTARY credentialing exams, the local approving official is the Commanding Officer (but may be delegated to Dept Head, Division Officer, or Command-designated E7 and above). For MANDATORY CWF credentialing exams, the approving official is the Cyberspace Workforce Program Manager (CWF-PM).


The approving official must validate your competency or experience in the position to which the credential is tied (e.g., Evaluation, Fitness Report, Personnel Qualification System (PQS), counseling sheet, formal course completion, etc.). The Credentials Program Office may request documentation.


Important Note: Do not register for or begin any credentialing activity before you have an approved funding request. If you do, you will be responsible for all costs.



Approved Funding Requests

 

icon from USMC COOL Website

The Marine Corps' Credentials Program Office provides funding on a first-come, first-served basis. Funding will be approved if:

  • The credential is approved for Marine Corps funding.

  • The credential is aligned to your MOS or collateral duty/out-of-billet MOS and validated by your Commanding Officer or Command Approving Official.

  • You have at least six months remaining on your enlistment at the time the credential is awarded.


Credentials approved for funding are marked through the site with this icon: 

green dollar bill icon in dark blue circle

The approved funding request covers the cost of the examination, recertification, or maintenance fee.


Finding Funded Credentials Using COOL

  1. Use the Go To: navigator in the top right menu on any page or go to "Explore Military Occupations" in the main menu.

  2. Search for your MOS and look for the icon above in the "Related Credentials" table.

  3. All credentials shown with the icon above are eligible for Marine Corps COOL funding.



To qualify for funding, you must have a minimum of six months remaining on your enlistment or military service obligation at the time you receive the certification and complete the exam 60 days prior to your end of active service.


Waivers will be considered by the Marine Corps Credentials Program Office under the following circumstances if you:

  1. Are being discharged or released from service due to a combat-related injury.

  2. Have less than six months remaining in service but have completed at least 20 years of Marine Corps service. You must complete all certification requirements at least 60 days prior to separation.

  3. Are fully eligible and intend to reenlist or extend but are awaiting execution (i.e. pending service reenlistment bonus timeframes). The waiver package must include an OPNAV 1500/57 Marine Corps Credentialing Program Professional Certification and Licensing Voucher Request and a Command Endorsement with intent to re-enlist/extend.


To determine if you are eligible for a waiver, please contact the Marine Corps Credentials Program Office at usmccool@us.navy.mil.



Your complete endorsed funding request must be received by the Marine Corps' Credentials Program Office no less than seven business days prior to the exam date.

  • Submissions received fewer than seven business days prior to the exam date may not be approved for payment.

  • Requests for a waiver of the seven-business day requirement will require documentation from the command that you were unable to submit the request earlier due to operational requirements, illness or hospitalization, or other circumstances beyond your control. Waivers will be subject to the availability of funding and to the processing times required by the credentialing agency.

  • Requests submitted more than 60 days prior to the exam date will not be processed until they fall within the 60-day window. Waivers will be considered only for those exams that require payment earlier.

  • Funding requests submitted after starting, taking, or otherwise incurring expense will be rejected, and you will be personally liable for the cost.



I am enlisted U.S. Marine Corps active duty.


I understand that I must review the Funding Instructions located on the funding request form. If you do not follow the instructions your request will be rejected.


I meet one of the following criteria:

  • I am in the appropriate Enlisted Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) or collateral duty/out of billet MOS to which the credential is mapped on this website for my MOS.

  • I am currently working in the primary MOS or collateral duty/out of billet MOS to which the credential is mapped.


I meet the credentialing agency's requirements for this credential.


My Commanding Officer or Command-designated E7 or above approving official will validate that, before authorizing the request:

  • I have passed, or been medically waived from, my most recent physical fitness assessment.

  • I have not received a judicial or court-martial punishment within the past six months.

  • I have been recommended for promotion or advancement on my most recent performance evaluation.

  • I have, at a minimum, six months remaining on my enlistment or military service obligation at the time I receive the certification for which I am requesting funding and will complete all credentialing requirements at least 60 days prior to end of active service. (Special cases will be considered by the Marine Corps' Credentials Program Office, as stated in MCO 1540.56A.)


 The credential I want has this icon in its row in the credential table.

green dollar bill icon in dark blue circle

 I have verified that the exam I am requesting is offered at a date and location I can attend. (How to find Exam Locations and Dates)


Once you have confirmed all questions by checking each box above and you have ensured that you meet all eligibility requirements, click the "Get Form" button to download the form.


Note: If you do not meet the above criteria, you may be eligible for a waiver in accordance with MCO 1540.56A. Review Time in Service (TIS) Waivers to see if you're eligible.


Make sure to review the Funding Instructions located on the funding request form to minimize potential errors and expedite the processing of your request.

 
 
 

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