VA · Credential

Virginia Credential Reimbursement Programs for Employers

Virginia has no state program that pays employers back for credentials their staff earn. FastForward, the New Economy Workforce Credential Grant, pays community colleges and lowers the cost for students, not employers. Employers can use it as a hiring pipeline. To get training and certification costs for current staff reimbursed, ask your local workforce board about WIOA incumbent worker training.

Check my Virginia eligibility How Credential works nationally

Reimbursa Eligibility Scanner

Tell us your state, industry, and recent training spend. We'll show you which workforce-reimbursement programs you likely qualify for — with estimated recoverable dollars — in about 30 seconds. No email required.

State pre-filled: VA
Program type pre-filled: credential_reimbursement

Run My Free Scan

HOW IT WORKS

Four steps, in this order.

1
Tell your community college what credentials you need
2
Send new hires or staff to a FastForward program
3
For staff you already employ, ask your local board about incumbent worker training
4
Keep receipts and records for any board reimbursement

1 VERIFIED PROGRAM

Where the Virginia money comes from.

Run by Virginia Community College System (FastForward). Every figure is from an official page, linked on each card.

FastForward / Workforce Credentials Grant (VCCS)

Student tuition aid, not employer pay

ONGOING

WHAT YOU GET

A pipeline of workers trained for industry credentials. Some programs offer interview agreements with local businesses.

HOW MUCH

Costs split between the student, the college and the Commonwealth. Average student cost is $801.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

Community colleges and students. Employers are not paid.

WHO QUALIFIES

Training must lead to an industry-recognized credential
Offered at Virginia's community colleges
Student eligibility rules apply

Before you start: Not applicable to employers.

AVOID THESE

What gets Virginia Credential claims denied.

Expecting FastForward to reimburse the employer.
SOURCE: VCCS.EDU
Training that does not lead to an industry credential.
SOURCE: FASTFORWARDVA.ORG
Counting on credentials for staff who have not finished the coursework.
SOURCE: FASTFORWARDVA.ORG

STRAIGHT ANSWERS

Virginia Credential questions.

Does FastForward reimburse my employees' credential fees?

It lowers student cost at the college, not the employer's cost.

SOURCE: VCCS.EDU

How long are the programs?

Most run 6 to 12 weeks and can be done while working.

SOURCE: FASTFORWARDVA.ORG

Can I get reimbursed for credentialing costs for current staff?

Ask your local board about incumbent worker training, which can cover training courses and certification exam classes.

SOURCE: VCWNORTHERN.COM

What if I am in shipbuilding or nuclear?

The Maritime and Nuclear Accelerator allowed employer-paid credentialing fees, but it closed in 2026.

SOURCE: VIRGINIAWORKS.GOV

How we checked. Every fact on this page comes from a state agency, a local workforce board or federal regulation, read on September 30, 2026. Where a board publishes nothing, we say so instead of guessing. Programs and funding change often; confirm with the program before you commit. Written by Jason Meehl, founder of Reimbursa. Found an error? Email hello@reimbursa.com.

OTHER PROGRAMS IN VIRGINIA

Reimbursa monitors workforce-reimbursement programs across every state and writes machine-checkable rules packs that prevent claim rejections. See membership pricing.