PAYMENT OF EXPENSES TO OBTAIN PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS.

SEC. 1112. PAYMENT OF EXPENSES TO OBTAIN PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS. (a) In General.—Chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 115 STAT. 1239 “§ 5757. Payment of expenses to obtain professional credentials “(a) An agency may use appropriated funds or funds otherwise available to the agency to pay for— “(1) expenses for employees to obtain professional credentials, including expenses for professional accreditation, State-imposed and professional licenses, and professional certification; and “(2) examinations to obtain such credentials. “(b) The authority under subsection (a) may not be exercised on behalf of any employee occupying or seeking to qualify for appointment to any position that is excepted from the competitive service because of the confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character of the position.”. (b) Clerical Amendment.—The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item: “5757. Payment of expenses to obtain professional credentials.”.