- What is a SITES AP?
- Where can I find study resources and sample questions for the SITES AP exam?
- Are there any Credential Maintenance Program (CMP) requirements for SITES AP and do they align with LEED and WELL AP CMP requirements?
- What is involved in the process of creating the SITES AP?
What is a SITES AP?
A SITES Accredited Professional (AP) is an individual who possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to support the SITES certification process, including participating in the design and development process, supporting and encouraging integrated design, managing the application and certification process, and providing advocacy and education for the adoption of SITES.
The SITES AP credential establishes a common framework to define the profession of sustainable landscape design and development. It provides landscape professionals with the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, expertise and commitment to the profession.
Where can I find study resources and sample questions for the SITES AP exam?
The SITES Rating System and the SITES Reference Guide are both helpful resources. Exam specifications, as well as sample questions, are also available in the SITES AP Candidate Handbook.
Are there any Credential Maintenance Program (CMP) requirements for SITES AP and do they align with LEED and WELL AP CMP requirements?
Yes, there are CMP requirements for the SITES AP. There has been an overall effort to align the SITES, LEED and WELL APs as much as possible. For more information about CMP requirements for both the SITES, LEED and WELL credentials, please visit the GBCI CMP Guide.
What is involved in the process of creating the SITES AP?
There are three stages involved in the process of creating the SITES AP credential.
1. Conception: GBCI brings together leading experts in the fields of sustainable landscape design to form a Job Analysis Committee. This committee includes landscape architects, planners, consultants, horticulturalists and water, soil and human health specialists from the public, private and nonprofit sectors. The committee is responsible for creating content areas that lay the groundwork for building the SITES AP exam.
2. Validation: GBCI enlists the help of a wider group of subject matter experts, who review the content areas and their relative importance through the SITES AP Job Analysis Survey. The survey gives experts in the sustainable landscape community an opportunity to contribute to the SITES AP credential. GBCI then gathers and analyzes results to create an exam blueprint, which outlines weight distribution for exam questions by content area.
3. Development: Once the blueprint is finalized, GBCI enlists subject matter experts to write and review questions to appear on the SITES AP exam. With expert consensus, a well-rounded exam is created and launched for the SITES AP credential.