New contract benefit will reimburse you for certification, licensure exam fees

By SHERRY HALBROOK
If you are a state PS&T or Roswell Park employee represented by PEF, the union has good news for you.

A new, pilot Certification and License Exam Fee Reimbursement Program (CLEFRP) is available to reimburse you for certification and licensure exam fees you have incurred since September 1, 2005, or that you incur before March 31, 2007. That’s when this pilot program, which is funded through the 2003-07 PS&T contract, runs out.

This program will reimburse you for up to $600 in fees you’ve paid to take certification and licensure exams related to your job or career. However, you have to pass the exam to qualify for reimbursement, and the exam must result in certification or licensure for an occupation that currently exists in New York State service.

A different program (administered by PEF Membership Benefits) covers fees for taking state civil service exams.

You can get more information and CLEFRP application forms from your training or personnel office, your PEF representatives or the PEF Education Department.

Or just download the form from the PEF Web site at www.pef.org or the NYS Governor’s Office of Employee Relations Web site at www.goer.state.ny.us/train/pst


You must submit a separate reimbursement application form for each exam and be sure to provide all of the requested information and documentation. Faxed or e-mailed copies of the application and documentation are not permitted.

Don’t forget, job-related educational benefits can be taxable under certain circumstances and the state comptroller will withhold estimated taxes during the last three paychecks of the calendar year from employees whose benefits exceed $5,250.