DISTRIBUTION – SDL No. 170
NON-STANDARD DISTRIBUTION:
COMDTINST 1540.10
10 JAN 2020
COMMANDANT INSTRUCTION 1540.10
COAST GUARD VOLUNTARY CREDENTIALING PROGRAM (VCP)
(a) Carl Levin and Howard P. “Buck” McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2015, PL 113-291, § 551, 128 Stat. 3292, 3376-3377 (2014)
1. PURPOSE. This Instruction establishes policy on program eligibility, professional
credentials and occupations covered, oversight mechanisms for the payment of expenses and
benefits, as well as limitations, roles and responsibilities for implementing the Voluntary
Credentialing Program mandated by Reference (a).
2. ACTION. All Coast Guard unit commanders, commanding officers, officers-in-charge,
deputy/assistant commandants, and chiefs of headquarters staff elements must comply with
the provisions of this Instruction. Internet release is authorized.
3. DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. None.
4. BACKGROUND. The Coast Guard’s Voluntary Credentialing Program (VCP) was
established to meet the requirements of Section 551 of NDAA 2015 to:
“Carry out a program to enable members of the armed forces to obtain, while serving in the
armed forces, professional credentials related to military training and skills that—
(1) are acquired during service in the armed forces incident to the performance of their
military duties; and
(2) translate into civilian occupations.”
Furthermore, the Coast Guard “shall provide for the payment of expenses of members for
professional accreditation, Federal occupational licenses, State-imposed and professional
licenses, professional certification, and related expenses.” To meet these obligations, the
VCP office will employ Credentialing Assistance (CA), defined as the payment of exam fees,
Commandant
United States Coast Guard
Force Readiness Command
300 E. Main Street
Norfolk, VA 23510-9110
Staff Symbol: FC-EP
Phone: (202) 372-2135
Email: Thomas.J.Hughes@uscg.mil
