Directions

Go to AF COOL homepage: https://afvec.us.af.mil/afvec/af-cool/search Search Credentials by the following name:

• Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CMAC)
• Dental Support Technician Certification (DSTC)
• EKG Technician Certification (ETC)
• Electronic Health Record Certification (EHRC)
• Medical Administrative Assistant Certification (MAAC)
• Medical Assistant Certification (MAC)
• Mental Health Technician Certification (MHTC)

• Physical Therapy Technician/Aide Certification (PTTC)
• Patient Care Technician Certification (PCTC)
• Phlebotomy Technician Certification (PTC)
• Medical Coder & Biller Certification (MCBC)

How do I Apply?

Basic Airmen Eligibility Criteria

The AF COOL is a Total Force enlisted program. It includes all enlisted AFSCs for active duty, AFRES, and ANG. Funding will be provided for ADAF, AFRES, and ANG members on Title 10 or Title 32 (502F) active duty orders. AFRES and ANG members not on Title 10 orders may receive payment from their respective components. Funding will not exceed a maximum of $4,500 per lifetime per airman.

Enlisted ADAF, AFRES, and ANG component members desiring to participate in the Air Force COOL program must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Possess a 5 skill level in their Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) that is associated to the assigned Control AFSC to which the credential is mapped.
• Airmen who have an Unfavorable Information File (UIF), are on a control roster, have failed their most recent Physical Fitness test or are overdue, and/or have a current referral EPR at the time of application for AF COOL are ineligible.
• Have a record in AFAEMS with an approved credentialing goal.
• Enlisted members must be on active duty for the completion of the entire credential.
• Supervisor approval.

Eligible Airmen may attain only one credential at AF expense. The AF will only pay for the exam(s) necessary for that one credential. Senior NCOs (E-7 through E-9) may also be eligible for a leadership credential. The maximum allowable lifetime benefit per airman is $4,500. This includes the Sr NCO leadership credential and any recertification’s (if applicable and with certain restrictions). Some exams may be very expensive while others are relatively cost-effective. Regardless of the cost, airmen may only receive one AFSC-related credential and, if eligible, one leadership credential.

Airmen who fail their certification exam(s) are not eligible for retesting and cannot choose another certification until their updated grades for the previous exam(s) have been submitted. It is imperative that airmen choose a credential wisely and prepare for the exam. For more information, consult your AF COOL Credentialing Program Office (CPO) at the contact information listed below.

Step 1

On the AF COOL Homepage, after ensuring that you are logged in, select the “Search AFSC Related Credentials” screen and you will see the AFSC specific credentials that you are eligible for that AF COOL will pay for on your behalf.

• Summary
• Eligibility
• Comments
• Exams

Other

• Related Occupations

Step 2

Upon completion of step 1, step 2 offers you the opportunity to select the credential that best suits your career progression needs. Review the AFSC related credentials that are funded by AF COOL and select the credential that most suits your need.

Once you have selected the credential of your choosing, an email will be sent to your supervisor to validate your eligibility criteria for the selected credential. While your supervisor is reviewing your credential request, please utilize step 3 to assist you in preparing to accomplish your funding request, which will be accomplished in step 4.

Step 3

Review the exam(s) necessary to complete the credential. Review the gap analysis, the credentialing agency’s homepage and the resources page to ensure you have the required knowledge to successfully pass the exam(s), as well as any requirements the credentialing agency may require prior to payment. Ensure that you upload the required supporting documentation, i.e. EPRs, applications, prerequisite certifications, FAA Form 8610-2 (FAA Tickets to test) or CCAF awarded Certificate of Eligibility, etc. (files must be under 4MBs and one of the following file types: .pdf, .xls, .slsx, .doc, or .docx). Once you are ready to test, go to step 4.

Step 4

Click on the “Start a Funding Request” on the right hand side bar. Follow the prompts to complete the funding request application. You will need the following information from the credential web site:

• Testing location (Provided by the credentialing agency’s website)
• Cost for exam including admin fees (contact the credentialing agency and request an invoice to assist you with your funding request)
• Testing Window – AF COOL has recently changed its testing window from 30 days to 120. If you are testing outside of the AFVEC system allowed 120 day window, continue to fill out the request, then email the AF COOL CPO the anticipated testing date at the information listed below. A counseling note will be placed in your Education File to verify that you have spoken with the CPO.

Once you complete the application, an email will be sent to your supervisor who will review the request and approve or disapprove the application. You will be notified via email once this action is completed.

Step 5

The approved funding request is then electronically routed to the AF COOL office who will make the payment on your behalf. The CPO Purchase Agent will email/call you if necessary prior to making the payment within 3 business days.

Step 6

Take the exam(s) and follow up with the AF COOL CPO to ensure your scores are reported to close out your educational goal. Once the AF COOL CPO receives your grades, they will email you to notify you that your educational goal has been completed and send you a voluntary End-of-Course Survey. This survey will be used to better assist the AF COOL Program in providing a better service for future applicants. For further support, please contact the AF COOL CPO at DSN 749-5115, COMM (334) 649-5115 or CCAF.COOL@US.AF.MIL

Valuable Resources:

• GI Bill : http://gibill.va.gov/
• VOCrehab : http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/

Service for Military Personnel

Heroes for Healthcare is a non-profit organization that helps military personnel find their careers in healthcare. We offer 4 services. For more information or to help our military, call 866.456.3864 or email laura@heroesforhealthare.org