Why doesn’t the system allow me to apply for a certification outside of Functional Area?

Per the DACM Office’s “Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act Certification Policy for the Army Acquisition Workforce”, AAWprofessionals must be certified in the AFA at the level at which their encumbered position is designated before they can request certification in another AFA. The first priority for AAW professionals is to meet their current acquisition position requirements.
For a copy of this policy, please see the DACM Policy Library at https://asc.army.mil/web/alt-workforce-policy-procedure/.