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TRUE Advisor certificate

  • Updated

What is awarded upon successful completion of the program?

A non-transferable TRUE Advisor certificate will be issued by GBCI and available for download in your account within 72 hours. Additionally, you will be authorized to use the “TRUE Advisor” designation during the term of the certificate. This designation may not be altered in any way and must be displayed in full (i.e., TRUE Advisor).

How soon will I receive my certificate after passing the TRUE Advisor assessment?

It can take up to 72 hours for your results to be updated in your TRUE account. You will receive an email notification once your score has been updated and your PDF certificate is available.

I passed my TRUE Advisor assessment, but no results are showing up in my TRUE website profile. How can I get my certificate?

If you completed your TRUE Advisor assessment and have waited 72 hours but cannot see your results or download your certificate from your TRUE site profile, please contact GBCI immediately by emailing trueadvisor@gbci.org.

I completed my TRUE Advisor assessment, but accidentally clicked the “Take Exam” button before I received my results. What happened to my assessment results?

Clicking the “Take Exam” button once you complete the assessment can sometimes void your original assessment results. Avoid clicking “Take Exam” again once you have completed the assessment. Simply exit your browser and wait 72 hours for your assessment results to transfer to your TRUE website profile.

Does my certificate expire?

The TRUE Advisor certificate remains valid until February 23, 2027. The first day of the certificate period is the date the course assessment was successfully completed. At the end of the five-year certificate term, you must complete the updated certificate program, which includes the online course and assessment, for the certificate to remain valid.

What are the benefits of earning the TRUE Advisor certificate?

Earning the TRUE Advisor certificate allows individuals to signify their knowledge of the TRUE Zero Waste Rating System, its strategies, and its methodologies. As the go-to experts in the certification process, TRUE Advisors lead businesses through best practices, tools for tracking and reporting waste diversion, and access to essential TRUE resources. Learn more about the benefits of earning the TRUE Advisor certificate.

Do I have to be a TRUE Advisor to get my facility certified?

Having a TRUE Advisor on the project team is not a requirement of the registration or facility certification process. However, possessing this certificate (or having the assistance of a TRUE Advisor) greatly enhances understanding of the application and how to achieve credits. In addition, the project can earn the TRUE Advisor pilot credit for having a TRUE Advisor as part of the application process.

How do I earn the TRUE Advisor certificate?

You must register for and complete the TRUE Advisor course. Upon completion of the course, you must take and pass the assessment. You will have two opportunities to pass the assessment.

Are there prerequisites or eligibility requirements to earn the TRUE Advisor certificate?

To be eligible for a TRUE Advisor certificate, you must be 18 years of age or older and agree to GBCI’s Disciplinary and Exam Appeals Policy.

When is the TRUE Advisor certificate program offered?

The certificate program is offered as an online on-demand course that will be available to you 24/7.

How much does it cost to complete the TRUE Advisor certificate program?

The non-refundable certificate program fee is $350 for USGBC members and $450 for non-members. Individual membership does not provide a discount on the TRUE Advisor certificate program.

Do you offer a student discount for the TRUE Advisor certificate program?

Yes, we offer a 50% student discount on the TRUE Advisor registration. To receive this discount, please send an email to trueadvisor@gbci.org with the following information: your name, the name of your school, your student ID number, and your expected graduation date (month and year).  If possible, please send this email from your school-issued email address.

What is included in the price of the TRUE Advisor certificate program?

This fee includes access to the following for a 180-day period:

  • 12 online modules
  • Downloadable resources and guided notes to reinforce learning that can be easily referenced for future use
  • 75-question end-of-course exam

Can I transfer my TRUE Advisor registration to another person?

TRUE Advisor program registrations may not be transferred to another individual. If you have extenuating circumstances that may prevent you from completing the TRUE Advisor program within the 180-day program period, please contact trueadvisor@gbci.org.

Can I request an extension or a refund?

The TRUE Advisor certificate program is non-refundable and each participant should ensure that they will be able to complete the course and assessment within 180 days prior to registering. If there are unavoidable circumstances that prevent you from completing the program within 180 days, please reach out to trueadvisor@gbci.org for assistance.

Are there renewal requirements for the TRUE Advisor certificate?

There are no annual credential maintenance requirements for the TRUE Advisor certificate. However, at the end of the five-year certificate term, you must complete the updated certificate program in order for your certificate to remain valid.

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