DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
2000 NAVY PENTAGON
WASHINGTON DC 20350-2000
OPNAVINST 1540.56B
N12
2 Oct 2017
OPNAV INSTRUCTION 1540.56B
From: Chief of Naval Operations
Subj: NAVY CREDENTIALING PROGRAM
Ref: (a) 5 U.S.C.
(b) OUSD (Civilian Personnel Policy) memo, Payment of Expenses to Obtain
Professional Credentials, 17 Jun 2002 (NOTAL)
(c) 10 U.S.C.
(d) USD (P&R) memo, Payment of Professional Expenses for Military Members, 16 Jul
2009 (NOTAL)
(e) DoD Manual 8570.1, Information Assurance Workforce Improvement Program,
24 January 2012
(f) SECNAV M-5239.2 of June 2016
(g) E.O. 12731
Encl: (1) Definitions
1. Purpose. To implement policy authorized in references (a) through (g) and to assign roles
and responsibilities for the Department of the Navy (DON) managed credentialing program.
This instruction is a complete revision and should be read in entirety. Summary of changes are
outlined in subparagraphs 1a through 1h.
a. Includes current and relevant references that directly relate to the Navy’s credentialing
program.
b. Includes discussions on cyberspace information technology (Cyber IT) and cyber security
workforce (CSWF) (Cyber IT/CSWF).
c. Updates the discussion on funding of officer voluntary credentialing from time-in-service
to eligibility.
d. Adds time-in-service waiver for E-6 Sailors that will complete 20 years of Navy Service.
e. Reduces minimum time-in-service requirement from 12 months to 6 months.
f. Expands credentialing opportunities for those who have earned an academic degree or
Service members opportunity colleges (SOC) career and technical education (CTE) program.
