The RBLP® leadership certifications are listed on Army COOL, which means eligible soldiers can use Army Credentialing Assistance (CA) to help pay for exam prep and the certification exam. The rules changed in 2025–2026, so here is what you need to know before you submit a request.
What changed for 2026
The Army made two rounds of changes to its voluntary education programs:
The CA cap is now $2,000 per fiscal year (down from $4,000), for one credential per year, with a limit of three credentials in 10 years of service.
Tuition Assistance (TA) and CA share one pot. The combined TA/CA ceiling is $4,500 per fiscal year.
Commissioned officers (O-1 to O-10) are no longer eligible for CA as of March 19, 2026. Officers who submitted a credential education goal before that date may still request funding to finish it.
You must take the exam. If you use CA for training and don't sit for the credential exam, the Army can recoup the money.
First-time users must complete ArmyIgnitED 101 training and the decision-support tool before requesting CA.
Enlisted soldiers and warrant officers remain eligible, and there is no service obligation for using CA.
Step by step: requesting CA for RBLP
Confirm the credential on Army COOL. Search for "Resilience-Building Leadership Professional" and pick the level that fits you (RBLP, RBLP Coach, or RBLP Trainer). Your credential does not have to match your MOS.
Check eligibility with RBLP. Each level has its own experience requirements. Not sure which level fits? See our guide to RBLP vs. RBLP Coach vs. RBLP Trainer.
Get a training quote. Request a quote from an RBLP Authorized Training Partner. You will upload it with your CA request. Request a training quote from The Elite Leaders →
Create your goal in ArmyIgnitED. Choose "Credentialing Assistance – MOS Related" or "Non-MOS Related," select the credential, and submit the goal.
Submit the CA request and wait for approval before you start training. Approval comes first; training and the exam follow.
Complete exam prep, then sit the exam. RBLP exams are oral exams conducted online by certified examiners.
What about the GI Bill?
Eligible veterans and service members can use GI Bill benefits to cover RBLP, RBLP Coach, and RBLP Trainer exam fees. You generally can't use CA and the GI Bill to pay for the same certification at the same time, so pick the funding source that fits your situation and talk to your education center or a VA counselor.
Air Force and other branches
The Air Force runs its own Credentialing Assistance program, and other branches list credentials on their COOL sites. Rules and caps differ by branch, so check your branch's COOL page first.
Need help with the paperwork?
We prepare soldiers, Airmen, Marines, Sailors, and veterans for RBLP exams, and we can send a training quote for your CA request. Contact us or request a quote.
Policy details current as of November 2026. Always confirm with Army COOL, ArmyIgnitED, or your education counselor before you submit.
