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SITES AP exam

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What are the eligibility requirements to sit for the SITES AP exam?

While prior SITES project experience is not required to sit for the exam, it is recommended. It is also recommended that exam candidates have had exposure to SITES concepts through educational courses, volunteering or work experience prior to testing. To sit for the SITES AP exam you must be at least 18 years of age.

How much does it cost to take the SITES AP exam?

The cost of the exam varies depending on your membership status and the country in which you are located. Please see the SITES AP exam fee structure on the exam page. Your paid exam fee is good for only one exam attempt.

Do you offer a student discount for the SITES AP exam?

Yes, we offer a 50% discount on the SITES AP exam registration cost to students. To receive this discount, please send an email to sites@gbci.org with the following information: your name, the name of your school, your student ID number, your expected graduation date (month and year), and the name of the Country where you will be taking the exam.

If possible, please send this email from your school-issued email address and include in your note the email address associated with your existing USGBC/SITES user account if you already have one established.

Note, GBCI offers additional discounts to students for the SITES v2 Reference Guide which is the primary study material for the SITES AP exam. This is available as an e-document (PDF) and hard/print copy.

Where can I take the SITES AP exam?

The SITES AP exam can be taken either in person, at a Prometric Test Center, or virtually through a remotely proctored internet-enabled (online) location of your choice using Prometric’s ProProctor application.

To determine if there is a test center near you, visit Prometric|GBCI and click on "locate" under the "test center exam" heading. 

Before deciding if a remotely-proctored exam is right for you, please run a System Readiness Check and make sure your remote test area meets the environmental requirements found in the ProProctor User Guide. 

What is the minimum score I need to receive to pass the SITES AP exam?

In order to pass the SITES AP exam, you must score 170 or higher. The scaled score for all GBCI exams ranges from 125-200, and the final score is calculated by mapping the candidate’s raw score (total number of correct questions) onto this standardized scale between 125 and 200. The minimum competency threshold is 170.

What language is the SITES AP exam available in?

The SITES AP exam is currently only available in English.

Are calculators permitted on the SITES AP exam?

A four-function calculator is available on-screen as part of your test center and remotely proctored online exam. If you are taking your exam at a test center and would prefer to use a physical calculator, you may use one that is supplied by Prometric at the test center.

Note that physical calculators are not permitted during remotely proctored online exams.

Can I ask for Testing Accommodations when I take my exam?

GBCI complies with the provisions of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you require testing accommodations, you must check the box that says, “Yes, I need testing accommodations,” when you register for the exam. You and your healthcare provider each need to complete the following forms, the Candidate Form and the Provider Form, to document the disability and the need for accommodation. Each request is evaluated individually and may take up to five business days. Your request may only be sent via email to accommodations@gbci.org or faxed to 202-318-2261. Do not mail any documents to GBCI. Please note: for remote proctored online exams, Prometric may not be able to accommodate all requests since candidates are taking the exams in a remote location. You will be contacted by email with the status of your request.

How do I register for the SITES AP exam?

Log in to your SITES Online account using your existing USGBC user account login information; otherwise, you will need to create a new account if you do not have one. Before you register for the exam, make sure your first and last names are entered in your USGBC user account settings exactly as it appears on the legal ID that you plan to present when you appear for your exam. Note that you will be required to use Roman characters when entering your name in your user account.

Once I register for the SITES AP exam, how long do I have to schedule and take the exam?

The eligibility period for the SITES AP exam is valid for one year. Once you register and pay for your exam, you will have 12 months to schedule and take your exam session.

Can I take a test drive of the exam?

Yes, you have the option of taking a Test Drive before your exam appointment. The Test Drive provides an opportunity to take a 30-minute "dry-run" of the complete test center, computer-based experience. To learn about the Test Drive and schedule an appointment, please visit the Test Drive page.

How do I schedule my SITES AP exam?

After submitting your registration information, you will be provided with an exam eligibility ID (EID) that you will use to schedule your exam appointment. You can visit GBCI Prometric and click "Schedule" under either the "Test Center Exam" heading or under the "Remotely Proctored Exam" heading depending on whether you wish to take your exam at a Prometric Test Center or at a remote location, respectively.

After using your EID to schedule an exam appointment, you will be provided with a confirmation number, also called the appointment ID. This number typically consists of 16 numerical digits and will be required to make any changes to your exam appointment or to launch your exam if you decide to take it remotely. For additional support, please see this Schedule your exam video tutorial. 

How do I confirm the date and time of my scheduled exam?

After scheduling your SITES AP exam appointment, you will receive an Appointment Confirmation email from Prometric (donotreply@prometric.com) that will confirm the date and time you selected, as well as other important check-in information. 

You can also confirm your exam appointment details by visiting prometric.com/gbci and clicking "confirm." You will be required to enter the 16-digit confirmation number included in your Appointment Confirmation email, as well as the first four characters of your last name. If you are not able to locate the confirmation email, please check your spam, junk or clutter folders

What is GBCI’s reschedule or cancellation policy?

You may reschedule or cancel your exam up to 30 days prior to your exam without incurring a fee.

  • If you reschedule or cancel an exam fewer than 30 days, but more than three days before the scheduled appointment, you will be charged a $50 fee.
  • You cannot reschedule or cancel your exam after midnight on the third day before your scheduled appointment.
  • If you miss your exam date or fail to reschedule or cancel at least 3 days prior to your appointment, you will forfeit the entire exam registration fee.  See Table 1.

You can reschedule or cancel your exam appointment by going to prometric.com/gbci. You must have the 16-digit confirmation number you received from Prometric when you scheduled your exam.

When you reschedule your appointment, you will receive a new exam appointment confirmation email from Prometric. If you cancel your appointment, you will receive a cancelation notice. If you do not, contact Prometric immediately to confirm your exam was rescheduled or canceled.

Table 1

Refund Policy

Effective now through Dec. 31, 2024
Days before original exam date Cancellation Reschedule
30 days or more Yes Yes
4-29 days Yes, less a $50 cancellation fee Yes, less a $50 rescheduling fee
0-3 days No No

 

Note:  Effective January 1, 2025, Prometric’s rescheduling and cancellation policy will be updated.  You will be able to reschedule or cancel your exam up to 45 days prior to your exam without incurring a fee.  Details of the updated policy are listed below. 

  • If you reschedule or cancel an exam between 30-45 days before the scheduled appointment, you will be charged a $30 fee.
  • If you reschedule or cancel an exam fewer than 30 days, but more than three days before the scheduled appointment, you will be charged a $60 fee.
  • You cannot reschedule or cancel your exam after midnight on the third day before your scheduled appointment.
  • If you miss your exam date or fail to reschedule or cancel at least 3 days prior to your appointment, you will forfeit the entire exam registration fee.  See Table 2.

Table 2

Refund Policy

Effective Jan. 1, 2025
Days before original exam date Cancellation Reschedule
46 days or more Yes Yes
30 to 45 days Yes, less a $30 cancellation fee Yes, less a $30 rescheduling fee
4-29 days Yes, less a $60 cancellation fee Yes, less a $60 rescheduling fee
0-3 days No No

How do I reschedule or cancel an exam appointment?

If you want to reschedule or cancel your exam appointment, you will first need to determine if you are eligible to do so by reviewing GBCI’s exam reschedule and cancelation policy (above). To make any changes to your appointment date, please visit prometric.com/gbci and click “reschedule/cancel.” You will be required to enter your 16-digit confirmation code and the first four letters of your last name to complete the process. For additional support, please see this Reschedule or cancel your exam video tutorial. 

How do I change my test center exam appointment to a remotely-proctored exam? 

If you already have an exam scheduled at a Prometric test center and wish to change the delivery method to an online exam, you will first need to cancel your original appointment by providing your confirmation number. Once that appointment has been canceled, you can then schedule your online exam using the exam eligibility ID (EID) that was provided after submitting your exam registration information.

Before deciding if an online exam is right for you, please complete a systems readiness check and review the testing environment requirements. Previewing this Online exam: Setting up for Success video tutorial will provide tips to improve your overall online testing experience.  

Do I need to bring proof of vaccination when testing at a test center?

Proof of vaccination is no longer required at any of Prometric's test centers.

Can I get a refund on my SITES AP exam?

You can request a refund for your exam purchase within 12 months of the date of registration, as long as there is no exam appointment scheduled with Prometric. If you have an exam appointment scheduled, you will first need to cancel your appointment. After your appointment has been canceled, you can contact GBCI to request a refund. Note: a $50 fee is charged for any exam appointments that are canceled within 3-30 days of the exam date; cancelation of an appointment 2 or fewer calendar days prior to the appointment results in a forfeiture of the entire registration fee. 

If your exam eligibility period is ending soon, you can request a one-time extension of six months. Please contact GBCI before the end of your exam eligibility period to request an extension.

We encourage you not to delay earning your credential and to schedule a remotely proctored online exam if test center availability is limited. Before deciding if an online exam would suit your needs, review the ProProcter User Guide and complete a systems readiness check.

How soon will I receive the results from the exam?

Your exam score is displayed on the screen at the end of your exam session. The score report will be emailed to you within 24 hours of your appointment. Within 72 hours, your SITES Credential account is updated, as well as your profile in the SITES directory if that has been made public.

Can I retake the exam if I fail?

If your attempt was unsuccessful, you may register again in the same way as the initial registration. After three unsuccessful attempts within a 12-month period, however, you must wait 90 days before submitting a new registration to GBCI. Candidates must pay the registration fee for each exam attempt.

Can I see the questions that I missed on the SITES AP exam?

GBCI does not release exam content or answers or allow candidates to review proprietary content under any circumstances.

Can my SITES AP exam score be reviewed?

Exam scoring is standardized through a computerized algorithmic process, which is applied exactly the same way to all GBCI exams that are taken. GBCI will investigate exam scores only in instances of technical malfunctions associated with Prometric's exam delivery.

How do I appeal a SITES AP exam question?

During the exam, candidates may submit comments on any question(s) they believe to contain technical errors in content by using the comment button located in the navigation bar. In order to challenge an exam question, the candidate must have commented on the question and provided an explanation of their concerns. After the exam, within ten days, inform GBCI that you have left comments on your exam; in your correspondence, be sure to note the questions and the email address used to sign up for the exam, as well as the date on which you took it. GBCI will review your concerns and notify you of their findings. If you experience any problems at the Prometric test center or during a remote proctored exam, you must inform test center personnel before leaving the test center or the remote proctor prior to ending your online exam session. Prometric will draft an incident report for GBCI to review.

Because of the need for test security, GBCI will not release exam questions or answers to candidates. GBCI does not respond to complaints or challenges received more than ten days after the test date and does not respond to complaints sent to organizations other than GBCI.

GBCI does not modify exam scores under any conditions. In the event of a successful exam content appeal, you will be given the opportunity to retest; your score will not be changed. The only way to earn a SITES professional credential is to earn a 170 on the required exam(s).

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