ACE Credentials - IT Certification Exam Voucher Program

91�Թ� the ACE Program

Program Update

The ACE Program is being updated to make the process more accessible and flexible for students. We are currently piloting the new application process with and .
All other eligible certifications will be added during the Fall 2025 semester as we expand the program.

The Achieve Career Excellence (ACE) Program is a 91�Թ� initiative that supports students in earning professional IT certifications. Eligible students in Information & Engineering Technologies (IET) programs can receive an exam voucher and, for select certifications, access to study resources at no cost. This initiative is part of the Taskforce on Higher Education and Opportunity.

Earning an industry-recognized certification credential helps you demonstrate technical skills, improve your résumé, and advance toward a high-demand IT career.

What Are Industry Certification Credentials?

Industry certifications are credentials awarded by professional organizations such as CompTIA, AWS, and VISA. These credentials validate your mastery of skills and knowledge recognized as industry standards.

Certifications demonstrate knowledge and skill competency to employers.
They often enhance career opportunities and earning potential.
Most certifications require renewal to stay current with industry changes.

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for an exam voucher, you must meet all of the following:

Be an active 91�Թ� student
Be program-placed in an IET major
Have completed the required 91�Թ� course with a final grade of A or B
Have completed the course within two years of your application date

Temporary Extension: Due to the program pause, applications will be accepted for course completions between Spring 2023 and Fall 2025.

Program Steps & Timeline

Apply only when you are ready to begin the process. Each step has specific deadlines:

Application review (7–14 days): After you submit your application, your eligibility and previous ACE Credentials Program participation will be verified.

Once your application is approved, you will be invited to join the ACE Credentials Canvas course. Here you will find information about industry credentials, study tips and exam prep resources.

CompTIA Certifications:

Begin your 30-day independent study using CompTIA’s CertMaster Practice exam prep tool.
Demonstrate certification exam readiness by scoring 85% or higher on the CertMaster practice test.

AWS Certifications (coming soon)

Exam Voucher Distribution (7-14 days): Once your exam readiness is verified, expect an email from ACE Credentials with your exam voucher.

You are expected to schedule and take your certification exam within 30 days after receiving your exam voucher.

All exams are scheduled and delivered through Pearson VUE, either online with a remote proctor or in-person at an authorized Pearson VUE testing center. Exams are not offered at 91�Թ�.

Exam Day Expectations

Format: Most exams include multiple-choice and performance-based questions.
Length: Typically, 90–120 minutes.
Bring: A valid photo ID. Your voucher will be applied as payment when scheduling through Pearson VUE.
Rules: No phones, bags, or notes permitted in the exam environment.

Score Reporting: After your exam, upload your official score report within 2 days as proof of completion.

Important: You may only hold one certification exam voucher at a time and cannot apply for the same exam voucher more than once. If you do not use your voucher, you must wait 6 months before applying for another certification exam voucher.

Certification Eligibility & Application Links

If you completed one of the following 91�Թ� courses with a final grade of A or B, you may apply for the corresponding certification exam. Please use your my91�Թ� credentials to access the application forms.

Note: We are currently piloting the new application process with CompTIA Security+ and CompTIA Network+. All other eligible certifications will be added during the Fall 2025 semester as we expand the program.

91�Թ� Course	Eligible Exam – Click Link to Apply	Exam Series Scheduling Code
ITN 106 & ITN 107	CompTIA A+ (V15) Core 1 & Core 2	Core 1 (220-1201) Core 2 (220-1202)
ITN 101		N10-009
ITD 145	CompTIA Data+ (V1)	DA0-001
ITN 170	CompTIA Linux+ (V8)	XK0-006
ITN 200	CompTIA Server+ (V5)	SK0-005
ITN 260		SY0-701
ITN 262	CompTIA CySA+ (V3)	CS0-003
ITN 213	AWS Certified Solutions Architect	SAA-C03
ITN 257	AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner	CLF-C02

NEW - Visa Intermediate Payments Cybersecurity Certification Details

91�Թ� is offering students who have completed ITN 295 - Introduction to Payments Cybersecurity (Part 1) and Intermediate Payments Cybersecurity (Part 2) with a final grade of an A or B the opportunity to take, at no cost to the student, the VISA University Visa Intermediate Payments Cybersecurity exam. Passing this exam will grant the student the Payments Cybersecurity Certified Associate certification. Below is a link to the Visa Intermediate Payments Cybersecurity (VIS-CS100) Examination Guide.

Passing the Visa Intermediate Payments Cybersecurity exam shows you have the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively demonstrate an overall understanding of payments cybersecurity. To successfully complete the exam, you should understand the payments system, security concepts, the payments threat landscape, risk management, applied security and payments industry and regulatory concepts.

Questions?

Email ACEcredentials@nvcc.edu if you have questions about eligibility, timelines, or the application process.