GI Bill® Reimbursement Eligibility for PATH Intl. CTRI® and ESMHL Certification Costs

Veterans, Servicemembers, National Guard members, Selected Reserve members and eligible dependents can now submit VA form 22-0803 to utilize their VA education benefits to be reimbursed for the PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) and PATH Intl. Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL) certification exam fees. GI Bill^®* benefits help qualifying Veterans and their family members pay all or some costs for education, training, licensing and certification fees while training for a job.

This initiative encourages the development of more certified instructors and is financially beneficial for applicants! PATH Intl. worked with the director of the Colorado State Approving Agency for Veterans Education and Training, Michael Roberts, to successfully apply for certain certification expenses to be covered by the GI Bill. PATH Intl. thanks members Danni Picco DeMerchant and Mary Jo Beckman for their help in establishing contact with the appropriate approving agency representatives to make this approval possible.

As of March 1, 2026, the following certification expenses are eligible for reimbursements through the GI Bill:

PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI):

Certification exam: up to $675

PATH Intl. Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL):

PATH Intl. Standards exam: up to $20

Online ESMHL exam: up to $50

This recognition from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs further demonstrates that PATH Intl. certifications are a respected gold standard for tested competency and ethical practices—backed by NACC accreditation of the PATH Intl. CTRI^®, respected standards, robust continuing education and a passionate, engaged professional network.

PATH Intl. continues to explore expansion of GI Bill eligible reimbursements for other certification exams and will communicate updates as progress is made.

Please contact PATH Intl. Director of Credentialing, Bret Maceyak, with questions related to GI Bill-eligible expenses.

Not familiar with the GI Bill?

The GI Bill is a service of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs providing benefits, namely, financial assistance such as accelerated payment and tuition assistance for institutions of higher learning, non-college degree programs, on-the-job training and apprenticeship training, flight training, independent training, distance learning and internet training, correspondence training, national testing programs, licensing and certification, entrepreneurship training, work-study programs, and co-op training to Veterans, Servicemembers, National Guard members, Selected Reserve members, and eligible dependents.

*GI Bill^® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.