Welcome to the CCAF Credentialing Programs Flight

We are the college's focal point for professional credentialing.  Our mission is to research and evaluate national professional credentials applicable to specific occupational specialties for possible award of CCAF collegiate credit.  We assist in aligning CCAF degree programs with industry standards that lead to credentialing eligibility upon completion of an applicable degree.  We manage CCAF programmatic accreditation processes with civilian credentialing agencies.

We also manage credentialing programs offered through CCAF, which directly support the mission of CCAF.

Professional Credentialing:

There are two primary types of credentialing:  Licensure and Certification. 

Licensure is a credential normally issued by federal, state or local governmental agencies.  A license is issued to individuals to practice in a specific occupation.  Licenses are typically mandatory for employment in selected fields and federal or state laws or regulations define the standards that individuals must meet to become licensed. 

Certification is a credential normally issued by non-governmental agencies, associations, schools or industry-supported companies.  A certification is issued to individuals who meet specific education, experience and qualification requirements.  These requirements are generally established by professional associations, industry or product-related organizations.  Certification is typically an optional credential, although some state licensure boards and some employers may require a specific certification(s).

Professional credentialing is important to the Air Force and our Airmen for several reasons:

• Helps develop a more diversely skilled workforce.
• Broadens professional development of our Airmen.
• Validates the Airman’s professional knowledge and skills gained through Air Force technical education and training.
• Helps prepare our Airmen to meet mission challenges of the future.
• CCAF awards collegiate credit to Airmen who possess specific national professional credentials that satisfy applicable degree program requirements.
• Some civilian colleges and universities award credit for specific professional credentials.
• Saves Air Force tuition assistance funds toward degree program completion.
• Prepares Airmen for transition to civilian life.

Airmen should consider pursing occupational-related credentials while serving in the Air Force to increase their Air Force occupational skills, broaden their professional development and be better prepared for transition.
Students interested in pursuing professional credentials should contact the credentialing agency for information on credentials, eligibility requirements and testing procedures.  Graduates of CCAF degree programs or courses accredited by credentialing agencies should contact the credentialing agency for requirements and processes. 

To support documentary evidence of training, skills and practical experience, students are highly encouraged to maintain records of all previous and current education, training and qualifications.

CCAF Credentialing and Education Research Tool (CERT):

CERT is a valuable resource for Air Force enlisted personnel.  The purpose of CERT is to increase awareness of professional development opportunities applicable to Air Force occupational specialties.

CERT includes information related to specific AFSCs, such as:

• Civilian occupation equivalencies (US Department of Labor).
• CCAF degree programs.
• National professional certifications.
• Certification agencies.
• Certification exams offered by DANTES.
• Professional organizations.

Click here to access CERT

Joint Service Aviation Maintenance Technician Certification Council (JSAMTCC):

Click here to learn more about the JSAMTCC

Air Force Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Certification Program:

CCAF offers the Air Force A&P Certification Program for active duty, guard and reserve aircraft maintenance technicians in specific AFSCs.  The program is designed to bridge gaps between Air Force education, training and experience and FAA eligibility requirements per Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 65.77.  The program benefits the Air Force by broadening the skill sets and professional development of our technicians, producing a more skilled and diverse aircraft maintenance professional.

The program directly supports the mission of CCAF in that FAA certification of our aircraft maintenance technicians enhances combat readiness, contributes to recruiting and retention and supports career transition of highly skilled technicians.

Click here to download the Air Force A&P Certification Program brochure
Click here to download the Air Force A&P Certification Program Roadmap
Click here to learn more about the Air Force A&P Certification Program

CCAF Instructor Certification (CIC) Program:

CCAF offers the CIC Program for qualified instructors who teach CCAF collegiate-level courses at a CCAF affiliated school.  The purpose of the certification is to recognize the instructor's extensive faculty development training, education and qualification required to teach a CCAF course and formally acknowledges the instructor's practical teaching experience.

The CIC Program consists of three specific levels of achievement:

• CIC-I:  formally recognizes individuals as a qualified CCAF instructor and their professional accomplishment.
  
  
• CIC-II:  formally recognizes the instructor’s advanced professional accomplishment beyond the CIC-I. 
  
  
• CIC-III:  formally recognizes the instructor’s advanced professional accomplishment beyond the CIC-II or Occupational Instructor Certification (OIC).

Click here to download the CIC Program brochure
Click here to learn more about the CIC Program

CCAF Instructional Systems Development (ISD) Certification Program:

CCAF offers the ISD Certification Program for qualified individuals who develop and/or manage CCAF courses or curriculum at CCAF affiliated schools.  The purpose of the certification is to recognize the training and education required for individuals to be qualified to develop and manage CCAF collegiate courses.  The certification also recognizes the individual's ISD qualifications and experience in planning, developing, implementing and managing instructional systems.  Qualified officer, enlisted, civilian and other service curriculum writers and managers are eligible for this certification.

Click here to download the CCAF ISD Certification Program brochure
Click here to learn more about the CCAF ISD Certification Program

Professional Manager Certification (PMC) Program:

CCAF offers the PMC for qualified senior Air Force enlisted personnel who have demonstrated an advanced level of professional accomplishment.  The purpose of the certification is to recognize the individual’s outstanding education and training required to lead and manage Air Force personnel and critical national defense assets.  The certification also formally acknowledges the individuals management qualifications and experience.  Qualified Air Force enlisted personnel are eligible for this certification.

Click here to download the PMC Program brochure
Click here to learn more about the PMC Program

National Aerospace Technical Education Center (SpaceTEC):

SpaceTEC is National Resource Center for Aerospace Technical Education that provides skill-based, nationally recognized and industry utilized professional certifications for U. S. Aerospace Technicians.  SpaceTEC developed and implemented an industry-driven and government-endorsed technical education and professional certification process for aerospace technicians.  SpaceTEC also serves as the focal point for aerospace-related technical education resources providing motivation for academic studies and professional development services for faculty, students and aerospace employees.  Air Force personnel in aviation and aerospace occupational specialties are eligible to pursue SpaceTEC certifications.

Click here to download the SpaceTEC brochure
Click here to learn more about SpaceTEC
Visit SpaceTEC at http://www.spacetec.org/

National Center for Aerospace & Transportation Technologies (NCATT):

NCATT is a national consortium of community colleges and universities offering aircraft avionics and electronics technical education programs.   NCATT developed and implemented an industry-endorsed education and professional certification process for aircraft electronics and avionics technicians to support today's advanced technology aircraft avionics systems.  NCATT certifications recognize the specialized training aircraft avionics and electronic technicians receive.  Air Force personnel in aviation and aerospace occupational specialties are eligible to pursue NCATT certifications.

* CCAF is an NCATT Accredited Training Provider.

Click here to download the NCATT brochure
Click here to learn more about NCATT
Visit NCATT at http://www.ncatt.org/

CCAF Collegiate Credit for Professional Certification, Licensure and Registry:

CCAF awards collegiate credit for approved national professional credentials. This credit may be applied towards applicable CCAF degree program requirements.  A registered student desiring credit for degree-applicable credentials must request the credential issuing agency provide a written memorandum of verification that includes full name, SSAN, date of birth, type of credential awarded and current standing, and award date.

Request the credential issuing agency forward the memorandum of verification to:

Community College of the Air Force
Credentialing Programs
CCAF/DEAL
100 South Turner Blvd
Maxwell-Gunter AFB, AL
36114-3011

Official agency memorandums are handled the same as official transcripts.
Refer to the CCAF Catalog for approved national professional credentials applicable to CCAF degree programs.

Click here to download the list of national professional credentials approved by recognized by CCAF for academic credit.

Information current as of 29 December 2010