MARADMIN 413/26
UPDATE ON REIMBURSEMENT OF QUALIFYING SPOUSE RELICENSING/RECERTIFICATION COSTS AND BUSINESS COSTS
R 141403Z SEP 26 MARADMIN 413/26 MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MF// SUBJ/UPDATE ON REIMBURSEMENT OF QUALIFYING SPOUSE RELICENSING/RECERTIFICATION COSTS AND BUSINESS COSTS// REF/A/STATUTE/37 USC 453// REF/B/DOC/NDAA/22DEC23// REF/C/DOC/ASN/20DEC18// NARR/REF A IS SECTION 453 OF TITLE 37, UNITED STATES CODE, ALLOWABLE TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION ALLOWANCE AUTHORITIES. REF B IS FY23 NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT (NDAA), AUTHORIZING THE INCLUSION OF SPOUSE BUSINESS COSTS INCURRED AS A RESULT OF A PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION (PCS) FROM ONE JURISDICTION TO ANOTHER. REF C IS ASN M&RA) AUTHORIZATION MEMO, MILITARY SPOUSE LICENSURE REIMBURSEMENT.// POC/KRYSTAL CARDENAS/UNIT: MFR/-/TEL:703-432-2931/ EMAIL: [email protected]// GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. The purpose of this MARADMIN is to provide an update to the eligibility and reimbursement process for relicensure, recertification, and business costs for Marine spouses, under the authority of references (a) and (b). 2. Headquarters Marine Corps, Manpower and Reserve Affairs may reimburse Marines for qualifying state relicensing and/or recertification, and business costs incurred or paid by their spouse arising from permanent change of station (PCS) to another jurisdiction. A jurisdiction includes the 50 states, U.S. territories, the District of Columbia and military installations located outside the continental United States. 3. Per references (a) and (b), the term “qualified licensing/certification costs” includes costs of exams, continuing education courses, business licenses, permits, and registration fees that: 3.a. Are imposed by the jurisdiction in which the spouse is required to obtain a new professional license or certification to continue working in the same profession in which the spouse was previously licensed, certified, or employed. 3.b. Are incurred or paid by the spouse to secure the license or certification from the jurisdiction of the new Permanent Duty Station (PDS) after the date on which the orders directing the reassignment of the member are effective. 4. Per references (a) and (b), the term “qualified business costs” includes cost of moving services for equipment, equipment removal, new equipment purchase, information technology expenses and inspection fees incurred or paid by the spouse of a Marine if: 4.a. The spouse owned a business during the Marine’s previous PDS. 4.b. The costs result from movement of that business to the jurisdiction of the new PDS. 5. A Marine may be reimbursed up to $1000 for qualifying licensing/certification costs for those orders executed after 1 October 2022, and may be reimbursed up to $1000 for qualifying business costs for those orders issued on or after 22 December 2023, when the following criteria are met: 5.a. The Marine relocated to a new jurisdiction due to PCS orders. 5.b. Movement of the Marine’s spouse at government expense was authorized on the PCS orders. 5.c. The spouse relocated to a new jurisdiction in accordance with the PCS orders. 5.d. For license/certification costs, the spouse obtained the license/certification to continue in the same profession in which the spouse was previously licensed/certified in the new jurisdiction. 5.e. For business costs, the spouse owned the business during the previous duty assignment and relocated the business to a new jurisdiction. 6. The following additional considerations clarify application of reimbursement eligibility requirements: 6.a. Marine spouses may be eligible for reimbursement of professional license/certification costs for employment obtained outside the jurisdiction identified on PCS orders, when the place of employment is within reasonable commuting distance of the new PDS, provided all other program eligibility requirements are met. 6.b. Marine spouses unable to utilize a professional license or certification due to an OCONUS assignment may be eligible for reimbursement at the subsequent duty station for the license or certification held prior to the OCONUS assignment, provided the credential remains in good standing and all other program eligibility requirements are met. 6.c. Marine spouses who maintained a professional license or certification from a prior jurisdiction and were not required to obtain a new credential at a follow-on PDS due to license portability, reciprocity, or other applicable provisions may remain eligible for reimbursement at a subsequent PDS where a new license or certification in the same profession is required, provided the previously held credential remains in good standing and all other program eligibility requirements are met. 7. Costs not eligible for reimbursement include: 7.a. Costs associated with unsuccessful attempts to obtain licensure or certification. 7.b. Costs associated with separation or retirement orders which are not considered PCS orders. 7.c. Costs associated with travel to a testing site. 7.d. Costs associated with licensure or certification that are applicable in all jurisdictions, therefore not PCS related. 8. Effective dates: 8.a. Reimbursement eligibility is effective as of 1 October 2022 for license/certification costs and 22 December 2023 for business costs. Unless reference (a)and (b) are amended, eligibility is effective through 31 December 2029. 8.b. Requests for reimbursement of licensing/certification and business costs associated with execution of PCS orders, shall be submitted NLT 24 months after the effective date of PCS orders. 9. Required documentation needed for reimbursement: 9.a. A copy of the Marine’s PCS orders along with the dependent authorization to travel. 9.b. A copy of the old license from the previous jurisdiction (or proof of employment in that profession if a license was not required in the previous jurisdiction) or proof of ownership of a business. 9.c. A copy of new license/certification issued by the new jurisdiction. 9.d. Copy of the receipt(s) indicating all fees associated with and claimed by the Marine for the spouse’s licensure/certification or qualified business costs for relocation of a spouse-owned business. 10. All requests shall be submitted through the local Personnel Administration Office/Center. Personnel Administration Office/Centers refer to the following coordinating instructions. 10.a. Personnel Administration Offices will validate dependency and collect all required supporting documents from the Marine/spouse for submission via NAVMC 11116. The executed PCS orders and DD Form 1351-2(“Travel Voucher or Sub-voucher”) in addition to the documents required in reference (b), will be used to substantiate payment and must be attached to the NAVMC 11116. 10.b. Disbursing/Finance Officers will validate all attachments and process the unit diary entry indicated below for credit to the Service Member’s wages. 0694 000 CRED (1)-$ (2) ((3)) ED(4) Pay Code Amount Tax Code “1” will be utilized for Federal Income Tax Withholding and State Income Tax Withholding deduction from wages. Effective Date of Payment (YYYYMMDD) Pay codes to be used: 19950- Active Duty Officer 29950- Active Duty Enlisted 31199- Active Reserve Officer 31399- Active Reserve Enlisted 11. To learn more about reimbursement and/or spouse employment resources, please contact your local Family Member Employment Assistance Program office. https://usmc-mccs.org/services/career/family-member-employment- assistance/ 12. For license and certification information nationwide, visit the Department of Labor’s portal at www.veterans.gov/milspouses. This portal provides State law guidance including information on temporary or expedited licensing/certification, and licensure/certifications by endorsement. 13. This MARADMIN is applicable to Active Duty and Active Reserve Marines. 14. Release authorized by Mr. Gregory T. Goldstein, Director, Marine and Family Programs Division.//