Resources
Military Spouse Licensure Benefits
SCRA portability, $1,000 PCS license reimbursement, MyCAA scholarships, and state-by-state license reciprocity.
PCS reimbursement
$1,000
per PCS for license fees (SCRA 10 U.S.C. § 1784a)
MyCAA
Up to $4,000
for E-1 to E-6, W-1 to W-2, O-1 to O-3 spouses
Portability
All 50 states
Reciprocity now mandated by SCRA
Your Information
Your Benefits
Select your profession, states, and branch, then click Show My Benefits.
Understanding Your Spouse Licensure Benefits
What SCRA Portability Means
Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), Section 705A, if you hold a valid professional license or certification in one state and your spouse receives PCS orders to a new state, the new state must recognize your existing license. You do not need to re-test or meet the new state's requirements while your spouse is stationed there. This applies to all professions that require state licensure.
Reimbursement vs. Portability
Portability means your current license is legally valid in the new state. Reimbursement covers the costs if you choose (or are required by an employer) to obtain an actual new state license. The DoD reimburses up to $1,000 for licensure costs and a separate $1,000 for small business license costs, per PCS move.
Interstate Compacts
Interstate compacts are agreements between states that allow licensed professionals to practice across state lines without obtaining a separate license in each state. If your profession has a compact and both your current and new states are members, you can practice immediately with no additional paperwork or fees.
Important Tax Information
Reimbursement IS taxable income. The licensure reimbursement is treated as taxable income by the IRS. For Army members, this is processed through MyPay and a separate W-2 will be issued. Other branches handle it similarly through their pay systems. Plan accordingly for tax season.
Reimbursable vs. Not Reimbursable
Reimbursable
- ✓State licensing or certification application fees
- ✓Professional examination fees (initial or re-examination)
- ✓Fingerprinting and background check fees
- ✓Continuing education courses required for the new state license
- ✓Transcript or credential evaluation fees
Not Reimbursable
- ✗Annual license renewal fees (only initial transfer/new license costs)
- ✗Professional association or membership dues (ABA, ANA, NEA, etc.)
- ✗Malpractice or liability insurance premiums (ongoing, not initial setup)
- ✗Study materials, prep courses, or tutoring for exams
- ✗Travel costs to testing centers or state boards
Based on 10 U.S.C. §476a, SCRA §705A (50 U.S.C. §4025a), and current DoD policy. Effective 2026-01-01. This tool provides general guidance based on federal law and DoD policy. Benefits vary by branch, and state licensing boards may have different procedures. Always verify eligibility with your installation's legal assistance office and your branch's finance office before filing claims. Fees shown are based on publicly available data from national exam organizations and state boards as of March 2026 and may change without notice.
About this entitlement
What you need to know — straight from the regulation
Federal authority for spouse licensure benefits
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, as amended (SCRA § 705A, codified at 50 U.S.C. § 4025a), addresses occupational-license portability for military spouses, establishing protections for spouses whose licenses are recognized or endorsed across state lines under specified conditions.
Reimbursement of qualifying spouse relicensing costs on a qualifying PCS is authorized by 10 U.S.C. § 476a (reimbursement of spouse licensure costs incident to a PCS) and implemented by DoD policy under DoDI 1400.25 Volume 1250.
50 U.S.C. § 4025a (SCRA § 705A) · 10 U.S.C. § 476a · DoDI 1400.25 V1250
MyCAA scholarship
My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) is a DoD scholarship program that provides eligible military spouses financial assistance for portable career licenses, certifications, and associate's degrees, administered through the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO) program under Military OneSource.
DoD MyCAA program · Military OneSource SECO
State-by-state variability
Because occupational licensing is regulated at the state level, the specific endorsement, reciprocity, or expedited-issuance rules that apply to a spouse's license depend on the destination state's statutes and the issuing board's policy. The DoD State Liaison Office and each state's licensing board are the authoritative sources for current rules.
State occupational-licensing statutes · DoD State Liaison Office
Source & references
- Primary source
- Servicemembers Civil Relief Act § 705A; 10 U.S.C. § 476a; DoDI 1400.25 Volume 1250; DoD MyCAA program — view official publication
- Regulatory reference
- 50 U.S.C. § 4025a · 10 U.S.C. § 476a · DoDI 1400.25 V1250
- Effective date
- January 1, 2026
Military Toolkit is not affiliated with the Department of Defense, DFAS, DTMO, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or any government agency. Rates and rules on this page are pulled directly from the publications cited above. Always verify with your finance office, TMO, or the official rate page before making financial or planning decisions.
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