---
title: "How to Use Training Manuals in Star Trek Online | -PTF-"
canonical: "https://ptfarmada.com/answers/star-trek-online-training-manuals/"
description: "Training Manuals teach Bridge Officers new abilities in STO. Follow the steps to train an officer, slot the ability, find manuals and use specialization training."
language: "en-GB"
source: "https://ptfarmada.com/answers/star-trek-online-training-manuals/"
date_published: "2026-09-12"
date_modified: "2026-09-12T22:31:00Z"
last_modified: "2026-09-12T22:31:00Z"
representation: "text/markdown"
---

# How do you use Training Manuals in Star Trek Online?

A Training Manual teaches a Bridge Officer a new ability. The manual is consumed when you use it, and the trained ability can then be selected in a compatible ground or space slot.

## How do you train a Bridge Officer with a manual?

1. **Get the right Training Manual.** The manual must match an ability that the Bridge Officer can learn, including the correct career or specialization and ability rank.
2. **Open that officer’s abilities.** On PC, open Character Status, select the Bridge Officer and choose the Skills tab. On console, the menu path is different; open the officer or station ability screen for the slot you want to train.
3. **Find the ability you want to teach.** Choose the ground or space ability at the appropriate Ensign, Lieutenant, Lieutenant Commander or Commander rank. Specialization abilities require the officer to be qualified in that specialization first.
4. **Train the ability.** Use the Training Manual to teach it. The manual is consumed and training also costs Expertise.
5. **Put the trained ability into a slot.** After it is learned, select it for a compatible ground ability slot or ship station. Space specialization abilities also need a ship seat that supports that specialization.

## Where do Training Manuals come from?

### Basic manuals can be bought for Energy Credits.

Trainer NPCs sell many standard Training Manuals. This is the simplest place to look for common abilities.

### Captains can craft many higher-rank manuals.

What you can craft depends on your captain's career, skills and specialization progress. Some manuals also come from fleet stores, events, missions or special packs.

## How do Specialization Qualifications work?

### A specialization qualification unlocks that specialization for the Bridge Officer.

Using a Specialization Qualification also teaches the four ground and four space abilities for that specialization. Only one Bridge Officer specialization can be active at a time, and space specialization abilities require a matching specialist seat on the ship.

## Sources

- https://stowiki.net/wiki/Training_Manual
- https://stowiki.net/wiki/Bridge_officer
- https://stowiki.net/wiki/Officer_Training_School