State Approving Agency Role in Licensing and Certification

1. State Approving Agency Role in Licensing and Certification American Legion National Credentialing Summit February 21-23, 2012

2. American Legion National Credentialing SummitFebruary 21-23, 2012 A Little history … Congress passes the GI Bill in June 1944

3. A view of the Quonset huts used for temporary classrooms during the boom in the student population after World War II. This photo was taken in February 1948. (Photograph courtesy of Special Collections, NCSU Libraries)

4. Establishment of the Federal-State Partnership Congress also recognized that it was the responsibility of the State to determine the education of its citizens. It was decided that each state would establish a “State Approving Agency” and that the governor of each state would designate a state bureau or department as the SAA for the state. The SAA would be supported through funding, under contract, from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This evolved as a truly cooperative federal-state effort that maintains the right of the states to oversee education while monitoring and protecting a federally sponsored program administered under the terms and conditions of federal laws.

5. Congress mandated that each State create an agency to approve the programs within their borders and to determine which programs were appropriate for veterans to enroll in, to utilize their VA educational benefits. The first State Approving Agencies (SAA) were formed for veterans after World War II. For example, the North Carolina State Approving Agency was established in 1947. Today it is an affiliate institution of the University of North Carolina General Administration.

6. Our Mission Statement • The National Association of State Approving Agencies works in cooperation with its partners: • to facilitate the efforts of the state approving agencies to promote and safeguard quality education and training programs for all Veterans and other eligible persons; • (2) to ensure greater education and training opportunities that meet the changing needs of Veterans; and • (3) to protect the GI Bill resources available for those programs.

7. While the primary “triad” providing education benefits to veterans consists of the VA, the SAA and the licensing or certification agency, others also include additional government departments such as the Department of Education: the Department of Labor; accrediting bodies; and licensing and certification agencies. We work with these additional organizations to share information and support one another as new programs and procedures are developed to meet the needs of the veteran community.

8. STATE APPROVING AGENCIES APPROVE LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS • Only the State Approving Agency for the State where the organization or entity has its headquarters may approve the test and it will be valid where ever the test is given; and • (2) Public (federal or state) licenses or certifications are deemed approved. • (3) Only the costs of the test, up to $2000, is reimbursable.

9. Organizations Seeking Test Approval If your organization offers licensing or certification tests, NASAA and VA urges you to request approval of your tests so that veterans and other beneficiaries may receive reimbursement. If you represent a State or local licensing board, the approval requirements are minimal. If you represent a non-governmental organization, your test must be generally accepted within the industry, must have been in existence at least two years, and must meet other requirements.

10. Helpful Websites Listing of State Approving Agencies http://www.nasaa-vetseducation.com/contacts/default.aspx DVA Licensing and Certification Information http://gibill.va.gov/resources/education_resources/programs/licensing_and_certification.html