Credit for Military Learning

Military veterans receive formal training, hands-on instruction, and performance evaluations by some of the world's foremost technical experts. A great deal of this prior learning has a straight-line application to civilian careers, professional licenses, and academic programs.

That's why we at the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA), along with partner agencies and other stakeholder groups, are actively taking steps to develop processes and programs through which prior military learning can be applied toward:

• State Licensing Requirements

• Academic Credit

For more information on how your military training counts toward each of these areas, please select the above link and visit the specialty page.

Issued on February 6, 2013, Executive Order 13-02 tasks state agencies to (1) identify overlaps and gaps between military training and state licenses, and (2) propose recommendations by which assessment processes can be implemented that allow such training and education to be considered for purposes of state licensure requirements. Identifying such gaps enables educational institutions to design programs (for subsequent approval by the relevant state licensing agency), through which service members may obtain any additional training and education necessary to obtain state licensure in the relevant field.

IDVA is honored with the task of leading and coordinating implementation of the Executive Order. In addition, IDVA is pursuing new efforts by which military learning can be properly recognized to give veterans a leg-up while simultaneously addressing workforce shortages. Collaborative partners include: U.S. Department of Defense, National Governors Association, Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois Department of Employment Security, Illinois Department of Military Affairs (Illinois National Guard), Illinois Office of the Fire Marshal, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Illinois Community College Board, Illinois Board of Higher Education, and other stakeholder entities.